1973 is when some model 1703 Kenmore's were sold, so we know they were manufactured and sold this early.
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| 1703 left (158.170331), gold decor plates, right 1803 brown decor plates |
Sears Kenmore 1803 sewing machine advertised for sewing leather, as well as other clothing fabrics - 1803 & 1703 only have minor decorative differences, and were sold with several different sets of accessories, which is why some identical models have different model numbers. Copyright Sears Kenmore
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Sears Kenmore 158.170331 same as 1803, but slightly different decor electronic foot pedal, really does help this machine both sew super fast, or slow, but strong! (If you have this machine, and it won't sew fast, it either needs the old oil cleaned out, & properly oiled & lubricated, or the motor needs new brushes, or the pedal may need replaced, or repaired. This is quite an incredible sewing machine!
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Kenmore 1703 is a left homing needle luxury zigzag sewing machine, with gorgeous crinkled gold metallic decor on the front and noseplate. This ad gives more details about the special features...
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| Sears Kenmore catalog advertisement for 1803 (It is identical to the 1703, but 1803 has plain wood brown panel, 1703 has a marbled foil panel look. Copyright Sears Kenmore |
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| 1703 needleplate back view, the insert switches from zigzag to left homing straight stitch, to protect silky fabrics |
Type C cams 1703 originally comes with 20 cams (you can buy the other C cams to use in your 1703, if you like, 45 stitch designs available)
Left homing needle
12 built in stitches including zigzag and straight stitches, blind hem, mending stitch, and more
chainstitch capable with the correct adapter plate and bobbin insert
Can use the monogrammer for the 1803
flat buttonholer
Clutch button replaces handwheel clutch mechanism, push clutch button down to sew
flatbed
class 15 bobbin
built in light
Sews knits, even clothing leather, as noted in advertisement
use same blind hem foot as 1803
Originally comes with 5 super high shank feet (but all 1803 feet fit it)
Can use knits Q foot for 1803
Twin needle capable
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| 1703 parts list |
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| Twin needles being used with the clear Q foot, as I twin needle embroider the vine & leaf stitch, in 2 shades of green polyester thread, on a ribbon. To prevent the ribbon being pushed through the needleplate opening, I used iron on basting tape as a stabilizer. You can use just paper strips, or sewing & embroidery stabilizer, for this purpose, if you are sewing on a very soft fabric, which can be pushed through the needle plate opening too easily. I tore off the tape, after stitching was completed, before sewing the ribbon down. |
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| Two different colors of green thread, placed to unwind different directions, and the C cam that had the vine stitch I wanted, as I prepare machine for twin needle stitching |
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| As I planned my project, I pinned the ribbon and lace in place, to see if I like the placement, before sewing it on |
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| I used the embroidery foot for sewing the ribbon on, after I used the twin needles to sew the 2 colors of green thread on the ribbon, which I had sewn with basting tape underneath, as a stabilizer, but I removed the tape, before sewing the ribbon on my dress. |
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| Built in stitches of Kenmore 158.170331 with the stitch width dial on the outside ring of this dial |
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| 158.170331 settings knobs |
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| Sears Kenmore accessory box 158.170331 buttonholer geared plate and plastic buttonholer, with multi cam geared plates, presser feet, bobbins, needle threader, chainstitch adapter, spool pins, neoprene washers, and extra needles. Copyright Sears Kenmore |
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Sears Kenmore Sewing Machine stitch samples from factory, came with one of my sets of feet & accessories for the 158.1803, but the same stitches are in each machine, and the stitch samples from the factory, are the same for the 1703 & 1803 (most luxury models).
To see twin needle embroidery sewn with these models, click link (it is another page of my blog)
Twin needle embroidery with Kenmore 1703 or 1803
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Sears Kenmore Sewing Machine stitch cam samples type C cams
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Sears Kenmore 158.170331 cam set in original gray & cream colored vinyl "book", only 20 cams came with this model, originally, but there are 45 stitch cams which fit this model, because all Sears Kenmore sewing machines which take the most common "type C" cams (a designation begun by groups of vintage Kenmore sewing machine owners online, to help people recognize which cam styles fit in which vintage Sears Kenmore sewing machines) Copyright Sears Kenmore
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Original accessory set included 20 stitch cams
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| I put the yellow Post it here, to remind me the 158.170331 is the same machine setup and stitches, as the 158.1803 |
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| 1703 inside the faceplate, note the 1803 is in the background, on the right, with it's faceplate door open |
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| 1803 on left, 1703 on right top, interior view down inside the mechanisms very well built metal mechanics |
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| 1703 on left 1803 on right, with their cams doors open. Note they both have the same features, everywhere, other than the plastic decor panels |
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| 1703 and 1803 use the same solid states electrical pedals, which help them sew with the same penetrating strength, at all speeds. I have never had a problem with these pedals, though some VSM fans prefer the older style of metal pedals, without the solid state features. |
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| 1703 on left 1803 on right |
A wonderful individual, David Goboff, created a Kenmore sewing machine Model Chart which helps tell what each model can do, and what accessories originally came with them. Here is a link to his chart.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13fGnnr7oYXjzC1OQRsq2AaNGUUmtqNbC9BfyAOpxdFo/edit?fbclid=IwAR1m3f5VcCye3cTdDDL86Rxz_3Tt1FF07di0dDdaObytCmAKSwgL-6_UiKk#gid=0
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1703 accessories in their gray vinyl "books"
Type C cams |
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| 1703 manual, accessories in gray vinyl "books" |
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| 1703 parts list photo |
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| 1703 uses the same left homing high shank presser feet as the 1803. Note slot cut in center, for thread. Groove on left of foot is your sight guide, telling where your needle is, when sewing a straight stitch. |
