Meet Karen Kenmore (Kenmore Model 158.480 Sewing Machine)

[@jeffreyhamer3107]

Your instructions are among the best I have seen. You stay on topic and are quick. Thank you. Blessings.

[@bsugarman1]

Just found a beautiful 158.480 at a yard sale (for $15!). The cabinet does not look to be of usual Kenmore quality (the top is manufactured wood) but the machine is in great shape. Your video was super helpful especially in top threading but also in bobbin winding. Nice description and love the description of why you named her Karen!! 🤣

[@bsugarman1]

I'm finding that a traditional class 15 bobbin with 10 holes does not go into the bobbin winder all the way and doesn't allow the bobbin to fully insert into the bobbin case. I have a few 8 hole Kenmore bobbins that work perfectly. A friend on a VintageKenmore group noticed your video and your 7 hole bobbins. Do you notice the same phenomenon? Are the 7 and 8 hole bobbins interchangeable? Nice clean up of this beautiful machine.

[@timwarneka5681]

Great video. Just found one in a cabinet by the side of the road this AM. Very excited! (Yay … free things!) Your overview was very helpful! Thanks so much!

[@bsugarman1]

Tim, you are a lucky man! I'm finding the Model 48 to be incredibly smooth and very strong. Sewed through 2 layers of thick, tough webbing like it was sewing through 1 layer of thin cotton. Shakes a bit at full throttle but 39 pounds and 1.2 amp motor - I don't blame it. The owners' manual is posted on VintageKenmore group site.

[@timwarneka5681]

@@bsugarman1 Absolutely. Quite heavy. Took my wife and I to carry it down to the basement. Have some parts on order and should be good to go!

[@bsugarman1]

@@timwarneka5681 What did it need for parts? And, again congratulations. Absolutely loving mine! I also found it likes genuine Kenmore bobbins - several class 15 ones are too tight to go on the bobbin winder and/or too narrow to fit in the winder or the bobbin case!

[@timwarneka5681]

@@bsugarman1 Hey! Thanks for asking. It needed a bobbin case, a new pedal and a couple of the bobbin holder spindles were bent beyond repair. The screw that hold the needle was missing as well as the sliding plate over the bobbin. All quick fixes once I had the parts! Thanks for telling me about the bobbin sizing.

[@bsugarman1]

@@timwarneka5681 Where did you find the parts? I just replaced a heavy duty zipper on a boat cover stitching through the canvas cover, and it's heavy plastic lining that attaches the zipper to the cover and the lighter canvas zipper cloth that holds the zipper. Needed full pressure on the foot, 8 or 9 on the tensioner, size 18 needle but the 480 did an amazing job. Incredible.

[@sewcute_sewvintage]

Very helpful thank you

[@deannekruick4863]

Hi there! I saw your video on the Kenmore 158.48. I have that exact machine that I purchased in secondhand in 1982. I would like to return to quilting on that machine, however the feed dog lever in frozen and the machanic I used to service her was afraid to break it. Would you recommend Ouse a hairdryer and sewing machine oil to release it myself? Also is your demonstration machine for sale?

[@rebeccacamerato5639]

How did you adjust the tension? Ive been working with this machine and the bottom thread is completely skipping stitches.

[@hearthhome9269]

How do you put the needle in Karen. My Karen was my mother in laws. No book. Replacing the needle is my issue

[@boxgirl51]

Stitches look a little wavy to me.

[@lindadalton2668]

Volume is very low can’t hear maybe next time