How much is a Kenmore sewing machine model 385 12906 worth?

Answer 1

I just bought a Kenmore Sewing Machine model 385.1884180 with out wooden cabinet for $24.95 at a use store today 12-1-2007 (it did have a nice hard plastic case)

Jeanette Allen

I own one of these, it is about 22 years old. To me it is priceless, except having a little tension problem right now, first problem!! The value of this machine when I got it NEW was $700. So if you can get it up and running nice, you will find the $25 you paid a bargain!

Joyce Nokleby

Used Kenmore sewing cabinets sell for between $10 - $20. The condition of the sewing machine is irrelevant.

The value of the sewing machine is approximately zero ($0.00). There is nothing wrong with this particular make or model. Ninety-nine percent of these older, electro-mechanical sewing machines aren't worth anything because the cost of having it serviced approaches or exceeds the price of a NEW machine from a discount store. A new $89 machine will do everything the old one does and more.

An old machine that has been stored away for years always requires service, even though it appears to sew ok for a quick test. All the grease and oil which lubricated the machine has either hardened or turned to varnish. This gunk has to be cleaned out and the machine lubricated else the machine will jam and break threads on the first project.

Although older machines might be constructed from mostly metal, this alone doesn't make them "better" than a new machine having a lot of plastic parts. Mass produced, consumer goods from yesteryear have all same short comings of modern mass produced, consumer goods. They cut corners to save cost. You don't find out what these corners are until you have a problem. You are unlikely to break a new machine but if you do then you can take it back. Breaking an old machine will lead you down a path of frustration. You'll discover that the "all metal" machine has little plastic gears and a rubber timing belt, both of which have become fragile with age.

This is why there is little to no market for old sewing machines.

When you own an old sewing machine that you must get rid of, feel satisfied if you find it a good home; otherwise it will end up in a landfill.

Of course, you can always stick it to someone by asking a high price for the machine than laying in wait for someone who doesn't know how to value such items. This happens all the time in antique stores.

****New Post Below********** September 2009*******************

Well, I have a slightly different take... My Grandma got her Kenmore 48 with cabinet in 1961. It has never been professionally maintained. It has only been oiled and cleaned by Grandma, my mom and now me. I did replace the drive belt in 1982 (by myself) and the belt cost me $6.78 - I still have the receipt in the owners manual. Although I now do most of my sewing on a Husqvarna, I still use the Kenmore for basic mending. The machine is priceless to me, but I did have a coworker offer me $100 a few years ago because she liked the cabinet so much (I have in my living room and use as a decorative table when not in use). An item, no matter what it is, is only as valuable as someone is willing to pay. I would NEVER think to spend over a thousand dollars on a doll from 1952, but as I saw in an antiques newsletter last month, many people DO!!

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I was recently "given" a Kenmore 385.1884180 by a fellow quilter. She was helping a friend of hers downsize. It turns out......the machine (including the cabinet) have never been used. It is brand spanking new. I was looking for a machine for my nine year old granddaughter who loves to quilt. This will be her Xmas present. It will last her a lifetime. I was in the right place at the right time.

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Shows that "all that is old is not useless. My mom gave me in 1970 a Wards machine she bought in 1962. Had it gone through and it was my confirmation gift. This is the one which has sewn truck/pickup seat covers, heavy winter coats, tarps, finest dress fabrics. In 1978 I got a new Kenmore and the Wards, again, became #2 BUT my husband moved it to his workshop and jeans, heavy coats, boat tarps, etc are the projects. Thing is, with the OLDER machines, there were NOT all those parts it in. A STEEL sewing head was heavy, but very seldom did anything get repaired. Same as with our grandmothers and great GMs treadle machines. And there are those still out there working perfectly.

My little glitches are over when I discovered it was a thread thing. Only C&C in my machine from now on. I had tried to use up some of grandma's OLD stuff from her sewing box. I sew jeans, fleece to the finest fabrics.

I have gone machine shopping and what I find is disgusting. All that plastic that breaks off, the sales people seldom know the difference from a double needle to an Allen wrench. I don't spend money on something that will be crap within 10-15 years. Longivity it a must. And I WILL NOT buy a warrenty on a new machine IN CASE IT BREAKS. They either stand behind their product or don't buy.

Some simple rules to follow, keep your machine oiled with speciality machine oils, keep it clean. Clean and oil between projects. Use an air compressor or can compressed air to blow things out. I have the electronics attachments for the vaccum cleaner-call them my BARBIE TOOLS. If you don't, take a small dixie cup, poke a little hole in it, stick a bendable straw in that with the bended side out, tape the cup to the wand extender of your vaccum and make yourself a quick small nozzled cleaner. I use this to clean VCR/DVDs, computers, my werlitzer organ wires and keys, right down to electronic car parts. Don't be afraid to change out needles. You can't always tell it is slightly bent. Change needles size with fabrics used. I like the ballpoint needles.

Joyce back again after buying new PFAFF sewing machine. I still prefer my now 26 yr old Kenmore. Plastic parts in a machine may make it lighter, but it is not reliable. If this PFAFF lasts me 2 years, I will be lucky. Taking my Kenmore in for some replacement parts. And I still won't have spent the $500 the PFAFF cost me.

Answer 2

Hi, You better hold onto it. The older models are far better than the new ones. I have had my Kenmore for 22 years. I bought a new one and it cannot handle sewing thick fabrics at all. It is headed for the repair shop now.

The value of this sewing machine is zero ($0.00). There is nothing wrong with that particular make or model. Ninety-nine percent of these older, electro-mechanical sewing machines aren't worth anything because the cost of having it serviced approaches or exceeds the price of a NEW machine from a discount store. A new $89 machine will do everything the old one does and more.

An old machine that has been stored away for years always requires service, even though it appears to sew ok for a quick test. All the grease and oil which lubricated the machine has either hardened or turned to varnish. This gunk has to be cleaned out and the machine lubricated else the machine will jam and break threads on the first project.

Although older machines might be constructed from mostly metal, this alone doesn't make them "better" than a new machine having a lot of plastic parts. Mass produced, consumer goods from yesteryear have all same short comings of modern mass produced, consumer goods. They cut corners to save cost. You don't find out what these corners are until you have a problem. You are unlikely to break a new machine but if you do then you can take it back. Breaking an old machine will lead you down a path of frustration. You'll discover that the "all metal" machine has little plastic gears and a rubber timing belt, both of which have become fragile with age.

This is why there is little to no market for old sewing machines.

When you own an old sewing machine that you must get rid of, feel satisfied if you find it a good home; otherwise it will end up in a landfill.

Of course, you can always stick it to someone by asking a high price for the machine than laying in wait for someone who doesn't know how to value such items. This happens all the time in antique stores.

Answer 3

I see this model on eBay without cabinet for $125.00. If you still have this do you have the manual on it? If so can I purchase a copy of it...I have tried everywhere, no manuals available.

appreciate the trouble, thanks

Shirley

Answer 4

Don't know the value, but I just managed to get this exact thing - cabinet and all at Goodwill for $25. The machine works but has no original accessories or manual included.

Answer 5

In really good condition 100.00.

Answer 6

Check

Answer 7

$100

Answer 8

400