I have been sewing for about 13 years. I am self-taught and LOVE to sew. My first sewing machine was a Sear Kenmore, a very basic one, which still runs beautifully, and has been passed down to my daughters. I am now teaching them to sew on it.


This past March (2000) I purchased the Kenmore 19001 sewing machine. I really wanted a computerized sewing machine that does embroidery and monogramming and will do clipart from the computer, but I did not want to have to spend $5000. Being that Kenmore is a trusted name and since I have had no problems with my "simple" Kenmore, this is the way we went.

The sewing machine itself is extremely easy to use. You first select one of the 21 different stitch selection buttons. When one is selected, it will show right on a little screen on the computer which foot should be used. It is very easy to lengthen, shorten, widen or decrease a stitch length with a push of a button.

The embroidery cards and monogramming are also very easy to use. There are many more embroidery cards that I can purchase which is a nice option. The sewing machine screen pretty much spells things out in what step is next and will beep if something is wrong.

This embroidery machine does the basic sewing, embroidery and monogramming and comes with one embroidery card. Any other embroidery cards need to be purchased separately. Also, you can buy a kit to hook up to your computer to make your own embroidery cards. This averages about another $500. I have purchased this also and I am still struggling to learn how to use this. With the purchase of the sewing machine I was given a free one on one class and this was great to learn all about the sewing machine, but the teacher did not know how to use the computer kit. The directions that came with the kit are not real clear. I know I will eventually figure it out, but I do wish I could have some person to person support for this.

Overall, I love the machine. I have had a lot of fun sewing purses and putting names on pockets, making baby blankets with the baby's name and birthdate on it and having special embroidery designs on it. I am sure in time I will learn to do much more unique things with this!

~~Loni



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