Posted 3 years ago
Bluebari
(1 item)
Kenmore Model 48
I have every possible adaptor to what I think is a 1958 Kenmore sewing machine. The table is mahogany (I think) My aunt died at 99 still using this for the staff that worked at the assisted living.
Hi, Bluebari. :-)
It's pretty cool that you have all of the attachments, and even a manual.
I don't know what you've looked at to conclude that this machine was made in 1958, but here is a PDF list from Sears of model numbers and the years produced:
http://www.searsarchives.com/history/files/sewing_id.pdf
I see a couple of references to Machine Model Identification 48 in there, and here is the line of information that I think might pertain to your machine:
48 158.480 1959-62
(I can't reproduce the same formatting here, so in sequence, the first number is the "Machine Model Identification," the second is the "Nomenclature Model Number," and the last is the "Years Produced.")
I spy a buttonholer attachment made by Greist. About Greist:
https://www.fiddlebase.com/american-machines/greist-manufacturing-company/
About the buttonholer attachment itself:
*snip*
The characters: "W654321N"on the side of the button holler are the width controls. W = wide, N = narrow and the numbers = in between.
That button holler [sic] is not for a Singer or Singer type, but it's for a Kenmore, White or other machine that uses the collar type of foot attachments. You remove the collar assembly then attach the button holler [sic] with a wedge fit on the round shaft using the screw to clamp it tight.
*snip*
https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage-antique-machine-enthusiasts-f22/check-out-my-new-baby-singer-redeye-66-1-treadle-what-my-bonus-t184281.html
About Sears Kenmore sewing machines:
https://silverbobbin.com/kenmore-sewing-machine-models/
Hi again, Bluebari. :-)
In reading back, I'm not sure whether you had any actual questions about your late aunt's sewing machine, or just wanted us to appreciate the machine, and your aunt.
I will say that your aunt was a remarkable person if she was still sewing right up to the end at ninety-nine years of age.
The sewing machine is also impressive if it was still working well for her up to the end. I don't think I've ever personally used a Kenmore sewing machine, but there are a lot of die-hard fans out there.
With regard to the model: if the actual model is 158.480, that 158 prefix would mean that it was made by Maruzen/Jaguar, per vintage sewing machine enthusiast and expert J Miller:
*snip*
SEARS SOLD SEWING MACHINE AND ACCESSORIES
MANUFACTURER CODES
20 = Greist
117 = White Sewing Machine Co.
119 = Unknown
120 = New Process Division of Chrysler Corp.
148 = Soryu ( Japan )
153 = Riccar
158 = Maruzen / Jaguar
340 = Necchi
385 = Janome
516 = Gritzner Kaiser (W. Germany)
*snip*
https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage-antique-machine-enthusiasts-f22/sears-sewing-machine-manufacturer-list-addition-t259833.html
The location of the full model number is probably on a metal plate beneath the front edge of the machine bed.
Here is a Kenmore model 48 that looks a lot like yours, at least the second picture of the backside does:
https://di2ponv0v5otw.cloudfront.net/posts/2020/12/12/5fd59d1e12d88096cfb1ea49/m_5fd59d5ece1e878f1dd2bc9d.jpg
https://poshmark.com/listing/Vintage-Kenmore-Model-48-Sewing-Machine-5fd59d1e12d88096cfb1ea49
I couldn't find another Kenmore cabinet like yours with those Queen Anne/Cabriolet legs. The closest I've found is actually a Singer Cabinet No. 40 cabinet:
https://millardsewing.com/product/queen-anne-singer-cabinet-no-40/
If yours is actually a Singer Cabinet No. 40, then it was modified to accommodate the Kenmore machine, which has a large bed with square corners.