The Kenmore 1503 - Monogrammer How To

So a long, long time ago, I bought a sewing machine.  In order to get this machine, since I had created a self-imposed No Spend November, I had to sell a few things we had stored in the garage. I really had to work for it.

After that machine, I found that others just followed me home...thrift stores, auctions, Ebay....all of a sudden I was working on A LOT of machines. And getting better on each machine.

I told you yesterday my process for getting machines up and going.  This was a process that evolved over time.  My first few machines were a learning process. When I went back and looked at the avocado green Kenmore 1503... (poor lighting - it's actually raining in Austin!)

I realized that I had sewed with her, but I never had thoroughly cleaned, oiled, and inspected her.  So I set out to do that today.

But really, I had a side mission. Once I cleaned and oiled the machine, I was going to try my new toy.

I had heard that Kenmore made monogrammers. I had been searching in person, online...trolling Ebay until I found what I hoped was the right one. The monogrammer that works on my machine (the 158.15030) is the one with the square frame -

They are really tough to come across, and finding the cams for each letter becomes difficult and cost prohibitive. Mine came with one cam, for a Celtic looking design.

There's a process to get this thing one, that's my only complaint.  It's actually a really cool device.  First you have to lower the feed dogs - my machine has a lever for that.  Then you remove the presser (pressure) foot, the thumb screw, and the thread cutter (the little black metal thingy on the presser foot bar - it just pops off).

 And THEN, you screw the giant white cover plate on - If you have a right angle screwdriver, that's the easiest. The screws actually have to be turned quite a few times to tighten them, and it's a bit annoying.  But the right angle screwdriver makes it easier - worth the <$10 investment on Amazon, btw. Leave the screws a little bit loose.

At this point, make sure your needle actually fits into the needle slot, and is centered, then tighten the screws down the rest of the way.

 Then slip the little fork over the needle clasp -

And fit the bracket onto the presser foot bar like you would any other foot. 

Tighten the thumbscrew and then tighten it with a screwdriver. That way it won't slip while you're working.

At this point, load your cam into the machine. In this photo, I have completed using the cam, and the little "red flag" has popped up.  You can either remove the cam at this point by advancing it with the white knob, or hold down the white lever and move it. To guide you, there's an "INSERT" point indicated on the cam, and a "START" point as well. Line up the start line with the silver guide on the left of the monogrammer.

The monogrammer cam comes with a matching plastic guide, for you to preplan on your fabric how to place the monogrammer. I didn't use it for my test, but this is what it looks like:

Set your machine up for zigzag stitch as usual. Mine uses cams for it, then I had to adjust the stitch width and length. I used thick felt, so I set it for the widest zigzag stitch.

Here's my first two goes -

Attempt #1, on the left - realized I had not attached the fork to the needle clasp - turned advance by hand. Worked...but yeah - much easier to attach the fork.

Attempt #2, on the right - All settings just how I wanted. Worked well...but I ran out of bobbin thread. 

I didn't really feel the need to refill the bobbin just to prove I had it - I'm confident I have it worked out now.

I'm really happy with this device - if you can find a monogrammer to fit your machine, it's a nifty thing to have. Now I just have to track down the letters I want! I did learn through the land of the internet that the monogram cams for the Singer Deluxe Monogrammer fit this particular model - so if you can find those, you're golden.  I saw a full set of them go for upwards of $150 yesterday, way above my price point!

On the other side of things, I purchased some cams and a buttonholer I thought would work for this machine, but it didn't work out. They'll be in my shop soon!

Hope that helps!

Jess