Kenmore 158.1050 and 158.1030 - The "Mini Kennies"

Kenmore 158.1050

Kenmore 158.1030

The Kenmore "Mini Kennies" are 3/4 size machines with a lightweight aluminum body and compact plastic carrying case.  They can do almost anything the full-sized 1970s Kenmore counterpart can do (except take cams for decorative stitches.)

These machines are from a series of 158.10XX mini portable machines in the Kenmore lineup -  these include the 158.1020/30/40/45/50/60.  

I love the iconic rose-embossed carrying case!

The 1050, being the later model, has the most features (the 1060 is a free-arm, so slightly different from the rest, and doesn't fit in the cute little plastic case.) 

This super-duper little Kennie packs a lot of features into its 16 pounds!

• Low shank
• Vertical oscillating hook/Class 15 bobbins
• Presser foot pressure adjustment
• Extra high presser foot lift
• Pop out clutch
• Feed dog drop
• Easy slot threading system
• Nine built-in stitches, including reverse pattern stretch stitches
• Built-in buttonhole stitch
• Snap in straight stitch/zigzag throat plates
• Flip up bed extension, similar to Singer 221 and 301
• Integrated accessory box which flips out to add extra working surface
• Streamlined design with recessed tension unit and retractable spool pin
• .8 amp motor

Extended work surface with flip out extensions

This is very easy to thread: you bring the thread through this groove on the top, then straight across the integrated tension unit, and then down, up and over the thread take-up lever which is slotted (I love that)

Another nice feature is the pop-out clutch mechanism.  

Here are the various configurations of the accessory box and bed extension.  Fold it all up to pack it away, then flip out the extensions when you're sewing.  Genius!  (The only issue I have with this machine, though, is that the plastic piece that bridges the machine and accessory box is flimsy and easy to break.)

These portables even have a built-in buttonhole stitch!  You are limited on your sizes and widths, but they are quick and easy to do.  Several guides for the different size buttonholes fit right under the foot with nothing to install or fuss with. 

COMPARISON BETWEEN 1050 AND 1030

Two Mini Kennies

Three built-in stitches plus buttonhole on the 1030.  

I assume they added a few more stitches on the 1040/45, and then... 

NINE built-in stitches, including reverse stretch stitches, on the 1050.

A few more differences:  The 1030 doesn't have the recessed tension unit nor the super easy slot threading like the 1050, nor does it have the pop out clutch.  In this way it is a little more "old fashioned" which might not be a bad thing if you prefer the way it looks.

Which finally brings me to the question...

HOW DO THE MINI KENNIES STACK UP TO THE "OTHER" FAMOUS MINI?