Thursday, May 10, 2012

Lady Kenmore 89, a Pfaff 280 in disguise

I always plan to blog more--then don't.  One of my plans has always been to focus on some of the machines in the herd.  Here's a real beauty:  the Lady Kenmore 89.

the actual color is a pinky beige.  definitely beige, but with pinky tendencies that don't really show up in this photo

Among Kenmore enthusiasts, this is the Holy Grail of Kennies.  In fact, when I first joined the vintage kenmore yahoo group, the subtitle of the group was "home of the Lady Kenmore 89 picture", and the photo of this lovely model was the home page photo of the group.

You can sew with this as a stand-alone (without cabinet or case).   If you don't care about the metal feet scratching your work surface.


Sadly, the name "Kenmore" usually evokes yawns rather than gasps of awe (except among those diehard Kennie fans).  If you can overlook the un-sexy name, and if you are not the kind of person who is swayed by the opinion of the masses, you can find some truly awesome vintage machines badged as "Kenmore".  Sears, who sold and still sells Kenmore appliances, never manufactured anything themselves.  Instead, they contracted with manufacturers to supply them with products under the Kenmore label.

In this case the manufacturer was Gritzner in West Germany, and they made an identical model which was sold by Pfaff as the model 280.  Now Pfaff is a VERY sexy name in the vintage sewing world. 



When I bought this machine it was in the usual vintage shape:  dirty, and completely frozen up.  I bought it for the cabinet (shown below) and knew absolutely nothing about the machine.  As I began to work on it it became immediately obvious to me that I had found a real treasure.  It's that legendary German engineering.

And, like most vintage machines, once the thread tangles were removed it responded quickly to oiling.  Freeing the cam stack was the biggest challenge, but now all of the functional and decorative stitches work perfectly.


If you are considering a cam stack machine, be sure to take the cover off and rotate the cam stack through a complete turn, checking for cracks (this machine has no cracks in the cam stack).  The machine may still work with a crack in the stack, but it is on the way to failure and may be difficult or impossible to find a replacement.  Since this one is in tip-top shape I haven't had to look for one and can't comment on availability.


The Lady Kenmore 89 has everything you might long for in a vintage sewing machine:  all metal construction (except for the cam stack).  Feed dog drop.  Twin needle capability.  Class 15 bobbin.  Left-center-right needle position.  And all those lovely decorative stitches.  I'm a complete sucker for decorative stitches.  

This machine came with the original manual and all of the original high shank presser feet.  And the awesome desk style cabinet that attracted me in the first place.  Now, when I say "awesome" I am referring to the functionality of it.  Drawers!  Leaves on both sides!  Fabulous work surface.


Cosmetically, it looks like most vintage sewing machine cabinets:  could be better.

It has a spring assist that is tremendously helpful in getting the machine up and down from stored to working position.  With the machine removed, the spring is lifting up the left side of the top, as shown in the photo above.  With the machine installed the top lies flush and flat.

This was my go-to machine for a year, and I loved and still love it.  But the cabinet in all its awesomeness just didn't work out in my studio, where every square inch matters.  Those fold out leaves blocked pathways.  I now sew on a German Singer 316G which I have installed in a Singer Hampden Court cabinet.  But that's a story for another time.

48 comments:

  1. I think Kennie's have been pretty good machines over the years. I wish I had known that when I bought my first machine. I am looking forward to (and hope I don't miss) your post on the singer in the Hampden court cabinet.

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  2. I never really understood the appeal of Kennie's until I read this article. Thanks for enlightening me! The Lady Kenmore 89 is really an adorable machine.

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  3. Hi Cheryl,

    I just bought this exact model complete with the cabinet from someone who was getting rid of it. I was hoping you would be willing to share the manual with me over email? I would really appreciate it. I'm a first time sewing-machine user and could really use the help! I'm looking forward to figuring this baby out.

    Please let me know and thank you for your time!

    -Jane Carper

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    1. My mother has a machine just like this and I'm almost positive she still has the manual. If you are interested, leave a comment at my blog and perhaps we can work something out. I'm not willing to part with the manual, but I could make a copy.

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    2. Jane, I will need an e-mail address from you and I will NOT publish your comment.

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  4. Love the older Kenmores, but a word of warning. The reason these are so hard to find (LK 89), those plastic (nylon) cams just haven't survived well. I'd say the vast majority of the later 60s Singers and any Kenmores with plastic cams or gears that you find out there aren't worth picking up because of this, so whatever you do, remember to have a screw driver handy and pop the lid before purchasing. Sad really; they're great machines.

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    1. Exactly, same with the Berninas and the Pfaff 1222 models.

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  5. Jane Carper, try Sears Parts Direct or go to the local Sears retail store. Usually Sears Parts Direct can supply you with an instruction manual for any Kenmore SM. I usally try the local Sears retail store and they order me an instruction manual and they ship it direct to my mailing address.
    Jim DeLapp -- Cottage Grove, Oregon.

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  6. Hello, I wanted to thank you so much for posting the pictures of the Kenmore 89 especially the ones of the inside. I recently purchased one of these for 20.00 in cabinet like yours. I did not know then what a great machine it is. I was trying to repair bobbin winder and took it apart without taking pictures first. I can be dumb at times. I would never have been able to get it back together and working without your photos for reference. Thank you again. We help people in the oddest ways at times. I wanted to add as well that it is a great free motion quilter like you posted. I can really quilt on this sewing machine. I have been trying to free motion on many different machines. This one works like a charm. I am so happy. Kindest regards, Janet

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  7. I just scored one of these from the local thrift and I am on the hunt for a manual. You don't happen to have a digital copy, do you?

    Thanks! :)

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  8. I just purchased this machine. It is so beautiful but I did not know about the cam stack. I hope it won't be an issue. It did not come with the manual or any other accessories. Does anyone know where I can find these?
    Thanks.

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  9. Does anyone know where I can buy parts for my Lady Kenmore 1958 sewing machine. It was made be Gritzner.

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  10. I need a motor for my Lady Kenmore model 89 any suggestions where I can look, parts dept. at Sears said the machine is too old. Please email me at marywolfe1953@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. You can use a replacement motor similar in size just needs to be wired up.

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  11. I've bought this sewing machine from my wife. It's look beautiful and perfect. I used this machine too, but some days she has stoped and didn't work. Sewing motor is working, but I can't rotate balance wheel/flywheel in any direction. I get sweing machine to serwis, but in two pleaces they can't fixed it. Now I don' t know what to do with Kenmore. I have one Haid&Neu and Durkoop 230-251 which are more solid 😊 than Kenmore.

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  12. Someone in my area is selling one and advertised that it does monograms. Does it?

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  13. I bought mine at a yard sale because i'm a fool for a bargain. I used it for about 3 years. Today she gave up on me and quit working. Any ideas as to why?

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  14. Late to the party - but I believe my Lady Kenmore 89 came with metal internal cams, so maybe the earlier ones came with metal cams while the later ones came with plastic cams(?). It is a nice machine.

    John Thomas in NC

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    1. Did this machine come with a foot pedal? I just bought one but no foot pedal...

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  15. I have the same cabinet..with a pink Model 47..love it

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  16. I have a 1969/70 Kennie model 158.14000 in an original small cabinet. I've frequently drooled over a larger cabinet when I find it on ebay but the size wouldn't work for me either. Sigh!
    It's a great machine and the exact same model as Mom gave me for my birthday when I was a teenager. I gave that one away years ago (stupid me!) so when I found a refurbed duplicate, I snatched it up. I use it regularly when I have a quilt under my big computerized Brother sewing/quilting machine and just want to make a small project or do some piecing. It's one of the good ones like yours but was made by Maruzen (spelling?) in Japan where it was well-engineered and made with metal parts. It purrs like a kitten and will very possibly outlive me. There are a lot of wonderful vintage machines out there and people are picking them up 'cause they've learned how reliable and functional they are. Let alone they'll do almost as much and sometimes more than many of the inexpensive, plasticized, modern "throw-aways".

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  17. I recently obtained one of these machines from a local thrift but have had no luck sourcing a manual anywhere. Would I be able to obtain. Photocopies of yours?

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    1. I do have a manual for the Lady Kenmore model 89. If you still need it, Email me at Fiveplush1@aol.com (Becky) and I can copy it for you. Just put kenmore manual needed in the subject line in case it goes to spam

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    2. TO ANYONE WHO NEEDS SEWING MACHINE MANUALS, BOTH USER MANUALS AND MAINTENANCE MANUALS. If you're unable to obtain a free copy, just Google "sewing machine manuals" and you'll find several places that sell them for a reasonably fair price ($5 to $10 usually). Some come as a .pdf file, sometimes you can by a CD, and sometimes you'll find an original manual on places such as ebay, although it will cost more than a copy. There are even places that have maintenance manuals. I just bought a Kennie 120-490 maintenance manual from www.manualsoncd.com, which also sells them as .pdf's and makes them VERY easy to download. It's actually a nice clear photocopy of the original.

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  18. Does anyone have a manual for this machine? my mom was gifted this machine but with no manual.

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    1. I have this same machine, could you send me a manual. ritchierich4002@gmail.com

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  19. I do have a manual for the Lady Kenmore model 89. If you still need it, Email me at Fiveplush1@aol.com (Becky) and I can copy it for you. Just put kenmore manual needed in the subject line in case it goes to spam

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    Replies
    1. i am looking for the manual for the lady Kenmore 89 as well..my email is sandi3lee@yahoo.com if theres any way i can get a copy please..

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    2. I am also desperately looking for a Lady Kenmore 89 manual. Please reply to larsinatr@gmail.com Thank you so much if you can help.

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  20. I own this machine and have for 61 years. It is a jewel and has moved all over the country with me. It was the first thing my husband and I bought on credit after getting married, paid Sears $20 a month until it was paid for. I don't sew much anymore but decided to volunteer to make masks. It had not been used in a year and it ran like it had been used regularly. I have the manual if anyone wants me to copy it for them.

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    1. This was one of my all time favorites. It went to a good home in another state and made someone very happy.

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    2. Yes, I would love a copy of the Lady Kenmore 89 manual. Not sure about replying in a blog. Kind of new to me. Please reply if you are willing to help. Thank you!

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  21. To anyone else who finds this post years later. Feel free to post inquiries about manuals here, just realize that I can't help you with that. It is possible that another reader might offer to help.

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    1. There is a lady kenmore 89 for sale near me but it has no foot pedal. Would the Pfaff 280 foot pedal work with it if I could find either?
      Thanks!

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    2. I sold this machine years ago, so I have no way of checking. Perhaps someone else will chime in with an answer.

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  22. Did you keep the cabinet? It is my favorite.

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  23. Hello, I have this exact machine. I also have a manual, attachments, books on how to use zig zag attachments and other stuff like a button maker kit. All from the early 60's. I want to sell the whole lot. What should I ask for it?
    Thank you in advance.
    I can't find anything to compare it to on E-bay or the internet.
    Mrs. P. Richardson

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  24. I just bought this machine. I need extra feet and possibly an upper tension controller. Not having any luck finding parts for repair.

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  25. I am looking for a thread guide and pressure feet for Lady Kenmore 89 (516.890).

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  26. I have this machine that I inherited from my mother in law. Currently, need to have it serviced as it does not perform zigzag stitching. It has been idle for quite some time so - a service call is due any way. We moved a couple of years ago and I dissassembled the cabinet spring and was hoping I could get someone to take a few pics of how the spring is installed to work correctly and to raise the machine when the cabinet is opened for use. Fingers crossed I still have all the pieces but knowing how to assemble will tell me. Thank you!

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  27. Sorry if this is a repeat post! I am trying to identify what type of belt would fit my Kenmore 89. It came to me without one. Thank you!

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  28. Hello, a Lady Kenmore followed me home; amazingly everything moves as it should, but it came with no motor and no belt. I can rig something to attach a motor, but can’t find a belt that would fit. Can one of you lucky owners of a Kenmore 89 tell me what type of belt is in your machine? Thank you!

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  29. I own 2 of these machines, but the best looking one will not sew the decorative stitches or zigzag. I have cleaned and oiled on her for past 8 months. Sews straight stitches just fine. Have even used heat gun on needle bar.

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  30. I purchased my Lady Kenmore 89 in 1959 when I graduated from High School. It is built like a locomotive! Still have the manual and attachments too:) I' m attempting to sew on Sunbrella fabric which I've done before, with the proper thread and the thread is shredding before it passes the thread guide to the needle. In process of problem solving and saw this sight!

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  31. I have one and cabinet what is best place to sell I do not sew and I always inherit sewing machines it seems lol

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  32. Hello.i have this machine from my mom. Sews like a charm but my foot pedal just got hung and I canning a replacement. My husband opened and tried to repair but no luck. Any suggestions. I ❤️ this machine.

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I want to hear from all of you who want to talk about sewing and sewing machines!