Kenmore Sensor Sew 100 AKA Necchi Logica

I picked up a cool sewing machine from the mid 80s. It is a Kenmore Sensor Sew 100.  This is a Necchi Logica with the Kenmore name.  It was made in Italy.

Sewing Machine under this Cover?

Kenmore Sensor Sew 100 with manual

Accessory Compartment

Installing Bobbin and Case

Yes, Case goes in backwards when compared to other Machines

Switches to free-arm

It does 100 stitches, including the alphabet, hence the name.

 I think Sears might have tried to forget this machine, because they released another machine a few years later with the same name.  I don't understand the reissuing of model numbers.  Lincoln made a Continental Mark 3 in 1958 and 1969.  Bernina made the 730 we all think of and now a computerized 730.  Are model numbers in that short of supply?

This other machine was made by Janome.  I have it pictured here with a Kenmore Sensor Sew 70, also made by Janome.  These are both wonderful machines.  The Necchi made one sews beautiful stitches also.  However, I think this machine will be more of a conversation piece for me instead of a regularly used machine.

Sensor Sew 100, Sensor Sew 100, and Sensor Sew 70

To see my new machine in action, go to Kenmore Sensor Sew 100 / Necchi Logica

To get a copy of the manual go to Kenmore Sensor Sew 100 Manual

Thanks for stopping.

Vogue 8842 Coat

The Vogue 8842 coat is ready to wear.  I actually had to wait a few days until the morning temperature was 46 degrees, instead of the usual 60 degrees it has been this last week to wear it.

This coat was fun to make, even though I strayed from the pattern quite a bit.  This pattern is really for a raincoat, but after reading how other reviewers had reported they picked this pattern for the general form, and altered it for their use.  I did the same.

I used a 50 percent blend of wool and polyester for the shell and a lightweight polyester with insulation for the lining. I made a size 38 to allow some room for the insulation.  I usually wear a 36.  I lengthened the body 4 inches and the sleeves two inches.  I  made welt pockets instead of the big patch pockets.  I added cuffs.  I made the collar more traditonal.  I also put a zipper in and snaps on.  It turned out just what I had pictured.

The biggest hurdle on this project was the thickness of the material.  Two layers fine, but 6 layers plus interfacing on top of a zipper was too thick to put under the foot of several of my machines.  Then I remembered my Necchi BU.  This thing is a beast!  I think I would break the scale if I weighed it.  It fit all that material under the foot and sewed through it like butter.

One slight hurdle was the snaps.  More of a learning experience.  Most snap attaching is done with a hammer. I have never been good with a hammer so when I saw the Dritz plier-style snap attacher, I thought this would be perfect.  It did work fine.  However, I am glad I paid $10 for it and not the listed $30.  It did the job, but even for $10 it should have been better made.  I think after a few coats worth of snaps it would be toast.  That is unless I lose the rubber adapter needed to put in half the snap first.

I ended up using 6 machines for this project.  One by necessity.(Necchi BU) The others for different aspects of the project.  My Kenmore 70 and 100.  My Bernina 530.  My Singer 6268.  And don"t forget I needed a label.  So my Janome 200E embroidery machine was also necessary.


What it is supposed to look like:

Vogue 8842 

What mine looks like:

Cuff with snap

Dritz 24P snap pliers

Label

Liner trimmed with bias tape and attached to shell 

Zipped up

Comparing to coats in store window

I should get a lot of use out of this coat this winter and hopefully many more.

Thanks for stopping.