Learning another vintage machine

August 22, 2026
Kenmore 158.13512 sewing machine from mid-late 1970’s.

Kenmore sewing machines prior the mid-1980s are highly desirable to some vintage sewing machine enthusiasts. My MIL has a cabinet model from the 1960’s that still runs today. The machine pictured above is a low-shank center needle model with a vertical (front-loading) bobbin.

Gladys (named for her former owner) arrived yesterday with instructions to use her in kid’s sewing classes or pass her along to a deserving student. In her previous life, she’d also served as a “practice” machine for an aspiring sewing machine technician. She came with a basic zigzag foot, straight stitch needleplate insert and a power supply/foot pedal. I added some extra generic feet and a couple of plastic class 15 bobbins from my stash. The scant 1/4″ foot from the Featherweight Shop is indeed a scant 1/4″ on this machine.

Like Carmella (my Singer 301A), the more I sew on Gladys, the smoother and quieter she sews. We spent the afternoon getting acquainted. I understand why VSM enthusiasts like vintage Kenmore machines. Overall, she seems to be in good shape – but definitely benefitted from sewing machine oil chased by Tri-Flow in a few spots. Knowledge gained from working on my FW and 301A served me well with Gladys. Her needle no longer goes up & down when winding a bobbin and I adjusted her foot pedal to improve the sewing speed range.

Verdict: Gladys sews absolutely beautiful stitches. She’s easy to operate, but not exactly portable – easily weighing 25-30 pounds. She’ll do best in a cabinet or on a solid surface with a Sew Steady extension table.. I’ll print out the manual and put it in a plastic 3 prong pocket folder. Combined with the extra feet, bobbins and LED bulb, I’ve reached my maximum spend on a machine that will be passed along.

Winning at bobbin chicken

August 17, 2026
A couple inches of thread is all that remains – plus an empty bobbin.

Today, I worked on the QOV quilt that was part of the 2026 Liberty Box from Fat Quarter Shop. One more seam left to complete the quilt center. Did I have enough bobbin thread? I have to say that my bobbin thread estimation skills were spot on tonight.

A win is a win. Especially after having to take out the same HST twice to sew it back in the correct direction. The third time was the charm.

Shop Hopped Out

August 13, 2026
All Southeast Shop Hop passport showing two regions completed.

Unless I can work in a quick trip to The Quilted Cow – Gulf Shores (AL) in mid-September, I think I’m going to call my participation in this shop hop done. The two completed regions encompass metro Atlanta, north Georgia, and middle Georgia as far south as Warner Robins and west to the Alabama state line (24 shops total).

The lady who posted in the Southeast Shop Hop FB Group about putting 1,950 miles on her car to complete the regions she did wasn’t kidding. I easily put 1,000 miles on my SUV over the past two weeks just from driving to all the shops. It took me 2 full days, 3 half days and bits and pieces of two other days to get them all in. Will I do this again? Maybe – only if I decide to do different regions and if the event is moved to September/October or April/May. This one was simply to close to the Stitching Atlanta Shop Hop held in July.

The welcome news I heard today is that the Middle Georgia Shop Hop will return in February 2027! Expect 6-8 shops to participate. Sew Senoia is heading up the event. There are two new fabric/quilt shops opening soon between far south Atlanta and Macon/Pine Mountain. That would be fun!