So if you are anything like me, you will turn to google and do some research when you wish to buy something important such as an expensive new tool!
NOW….I don’t know about you BUT I have found soooo many times that the reviews are written by people ‘paid’ or ‘sponsored’ in some way to do the review. So you need to take these reviews with a grain of salt….how many of these people will really tell you if the product STINKS? LOL
Not that long ago I wanted to buy myself a new Industrial machine…..but….in a nutshell, WHICH ONE was my question!
Not only was it difficult to find information on the different machines BUT reviews by actual sewists using the machines regularly, were really hard to find…..SO….with that in mind, I thought it would be FUN to chat with REAL people about their machines….YOU! LOL So I am introducing a new series to my blog…..< DRUMROLL >
Each review will be by an actual sewist, unpaid and what they REALLY think of their machine….they are going to share with us details about their machine, what they like and what they don’t like. Of course, some of these things will be just personal opinions and those too will need to be taken with a grain of salt…afterall…not everyone of us will like or not like the same features! LOL
Are you looking to buy a new or preloved machine? Hopefully having a sewist’s input on a machine will help you decide if that machine is for you, or not! LOL
And even if you aren’t looking to add a machine to your collection right now, it is still FUN to find out about them, don’t you think?
Ok….enough from me! Our first review is by Talitha of Kellerful Creations.
Please share the brand name and model number:
Kenmore 19233
Is your machine classed as Domestic or Industrial?
Domestic
How long have you had this machine, did you buy it new and what was the purchase price or approximate price range?
I got it on New Years Day 2010. I bought it new from Sears. I bought the floor model so it was discounted to $399 down from $500.
What made you decide to buy this particular machine?
I had been wanting a computerized machine for a bit and had test driven several baby lock machines at the dealer. I bought this one because I got so many more stitches and features for the same amount of money.
Approximately how often do you sew with it and what types of projects do you sew?
I sew at least a couple hours a week (every night during market/craft show season!) I sew purses, baby items, children’s clothes, accessories, home goods.
Does your machine have any special features which you enjoy or any special features you do NOT like and drives you bonkers? LOL
I LOVE the locking stitch feature. I can’t ever seem to back stitch very straight and the locking stitch feature make my projects look so much more professional.
Oh and I love the drop in bobbin. I almost forgot to mention that!
Are there any features you really wish your machine has BUT is lacking?
My next machine WILL have an auto thread cutter. I often lament not spending another $100 or so and getting this feature. Mostly when I am cutting the thousand threads off 100 tea wallets when I’m getting ready for a show.
How about features it does have BUT you find you never use? Example decorative stitches etc
You totally nailed it. I very rarely use the many (162) decorative stitches. I mostly stick to straight, stretch, and zig zag. I have used the alphabet on occasion but it is an ugly boxy alphabet. I just got a new embroidery machine so I probably won’t be using it much at all anymore.
Would you recommend this machine to others and if not, why?
Oh my goodness YES! I love my machine so much! It hasn’t balked at anything I’ve thrown at it. Everything I sew looks so nice and sewing is just enjoyable and easy with her. She is a bit louder than she was when I first got her, but I love her just he same.
If your machine suddenly vanished, would you replace it with the exact same machine or a different one? Why?
I only wish I could replace her with the exact same machine but ADD the auto thread cutter. For that reason alone I may look at another machine that has the thread cutter, it is that important to me 🙂
Do you have any interesting stories to share about your machine? Example: It’s history….It was great grandmas, you learn to sew on it as a child etc
You can’t buy a Kenmore 19233 anymore but it is actually the same exact machine as the Janome DC5100 which is still for sale.
Do you have any special projects you made with this machine you would like to share with us here?
I just love all my bags. I have several of your patterns that I just haven’t had a chance to make yet. I plan to change that this weekend! I also love sewing girls dresses so of course I have 2 sons. I love to sew for my nieces.
Any Sewing Machine hints or tips you would like to share?
If you have a computerized machine and you come across something that looks like a wick from a candle stick under your bobbin casing, do not take it out! Lol. I did that and had to take my machine in to have them replace my wick after I figured out what I had done. What did we do before the internet?
If you won the lottery and could add ANY new machine to your collection, which one would it be?
I would love to have a cover stitch machine. And one of the fancy Janome Memory Craft machines that you can connect your ipad to! (So would I Talitha! LOL!)
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Would you like to share your thoughts on YOUR machine in your own review? We’d love to hear them! Please email me and we’ll chat! 🙂
Love this series? Please pop the button below on your blog so others can find it and enjoy it too! 🙂
Oh, this is going to be an interesting series! What a great idea!
I have a Kenmore that is very similar to this one, but just an older model. It has served me well. I like the locking stitch feature, too!
Christine I like to read about what real people like and dislike about certain sewing machines. There are so many different brands of machines out there and so many models to choose from that you can go crazy trying to choose. Of course price is a a factor for most of us and that will help somewhat when trying to decide. But like I have always said there is no one machine that does it all or does it all well, so it’s hard to choose one machine. You end up giving up some feature(s) for others or end up with more than you need or will use just to get a certain function on a machine. Too bad we can’t customize our own sewing machine and be able to choose from a list of functions/features that we want in the machine we want to buy.
I am hoping to upgrade my sewing machine soon, so will be reading this series with interest 🙂
I have a pfaff 4.0 and I find that this machine is the next best thing to an industrial machine. I am a long arm quilter but I do make a wide variety of projects. This machine can handle several thickness of fabrics easily. This is my machine of choice. I hope this helps.
Louise
Lgboulet@gmail.com
I have this machine and love it! I also have one a step below this one. I got the 19233 because i wanted the extra stitches. The only thing i wish it had was lights to light up the bed of the machine. I solved that by getting the strip lights and adding it to both machines. I have always had kemore and been very happy with them.
Yes it should be FUN to hear about everyone’s machines! I too have the locking stitch BUT only just recently started to use it……now I wonder WHY on earth I never used it before! LOLLL
Daryl….you are SO right in your comments….yes….price is a factor for most of us and I think because of our budgets we mostly have to make extra sure we get it right….it’s not something you can just turn around and say “Oh, this doesn’t suit, I will get a the other one….” several times over…..Mind you, some may be lucky enough to do that BUT not ME! LOLLLL You are also right in that there is no one machine that does it all perfectly…you have to make sure YOU know what it is YOU want to accomplish too ….and what features are important to you and choose the one closest to your needs! NOT always easy to do! GOSH…you hit the nail on the head….a CUSTOMISED machine….like a customised computer! Now wouldn’t THAT be AWESOME! We can dream! LOLLLL
Yes I am really looking forward to it too! 🙂
Louise…I have the Expression 2.0 and I really love it (Apart from a couple of nit picky things! LOL) I will have to do a review on it myself and I hope that perhaps you would consider reviewing the 4.0? That would be FUN! If you are interested, please email me christine@chriswdesigns.com
Hi Gina….oh where did you get those strip lights and are you happy with them? I was thinking of getting one of those magnetic lights for my industrial machine BUT a strip light might be a better choice….maybe we should be reviewing lights too! LOLL
I like the customizing idea, too! It can be done with computers–why not sewing machines? 🙂
I’ve been looking off and on for sewing machines for my daughter and it is a challenge to find the features we want–in the years since I purchased my machine, manufacturers have added (IMO) unnecessary features to the current models and taken off good ones–so there are definitely trends in sewing machine design!
I’m sure I’ll find what I’m looking for when I become willing to look at machines with higher price points! 🙂
LOL…that is a good question! I hope some manufacturer works out a way to make sewing machine add-ons or modules so you can just put together the features you want! LOLLL I guess it wouldn’t be as simple as it sounds! LOL I think manufacturers add a lot of unnecessary features to justify the prices they charge….then takeaway and add the features most sewists REALY want, to the higher end machines to force sewists to ‘upgrade’ as their skills improve!….maybe i am too sceptical? LOLLLL
Ecoluxlighting.com I got 2 and love them
What a great idea for a series! I got a new machine for Christmas (Janome SMD 4000) and I am SO in love with it, it’s literally the best thing since sliced bread, maybe even better than that! I had a bit of a nightmare trying to choose it though, because as you say, the reviews just weren’t out there.
Thanks Gina! 🙂
Hi Katy …anytime you would like to review it for this series, let me know! 🙂
Great idea for a blog. I am looking to buy a computerized machine..have been sewing with a Kenmore forever. Do any of the Kenmore come with thread cutters?
I do mostly applique work on towels. Anyone have a suggestion for a good machine?
Kenmore 19233 is still for sale at Sears in Canada
Oh that is interesting, Thank you Faye! 🙂
Wow I just saw this on my Kenmore 385 model 19233 lady up above got a great deal because I paid at sears close to $1,000 for mine years ago when it first came out. It is still going today 02/24/2021 runs like a top! I am experienced seamstress for gosh 50 years. I have a Janome serger love it but also have & prefer commercial serger’s myself but can’t afford new ones, I love the Power of them. The Janome serger does have some power. I just bought a used Baby lock allure sewing/embroidery machine lady threw in a beautiful sewing cabinet with fold out doors and a extension table lifts out!! I got it all for like $275 I am in process of sewing on & trying out the embroidery part. I had the Disney embroidery machine I bought it also at Sear I had it for years but that is all it did and paid $1,000 for it and sold it last year for 300.00 like new. I couldn’t pass up this Baby Lock. I doubt I will ever give up my Kenmore 19233 it is a beast. thanks Patsy Stone douglasville ga 2/24/2021