Kenmore 1311 1560 Sewing Machines
Kenmore sewing machines from both Soryu and Maruzen factories, in Japan, are some of my favorite sewing machines!
In the 1970's if you don't want to keep track of boxes of cams, or couldn't afford the luxury cam taking Kenmore models, these budget friendly, Japanese manufactured models 1311 (flatbed) and 1560 (freearm) both have all the basic built in stitches you need, as well as a few decorative stitches!
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| 148 is Soryu factory code identification number, 1311 is the model, and 0 indicates it was manufactured in the first run, or batch (year) of this model. 74 3 engraved sideways after the serial number, shows it was manufactured in March of 1974. |
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| 1311 (and 1560) have traditional handwheels (plastic- I only found out these were plastic handwheels, when I began fixing up old sewing machines, it never occurred to me that it might not be a metal handwheel, in the 1970's and 1980's! To release the clutch to wind a bobbin, turn center clutch knob counter clockwise, while holding handwheel. This should prevent the needle from moving, while winding a bobbin. If the needle still moves, with the clutch released, the clutch needs cleaned of old sticky oil, but you can still wind a bobbin, just unthread the needle, and make sure not to leave your project, or any body parts under the needle, while winding the bobbin. |
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| 1311 these models have a different style of zigzag linkage system, which can easily cause the needle to hit the needleplate, if the entire linkage is not kept clean and oiled, and run on zigzag, pretty regularly. It is because there is no mechanical stop to the sideways movement, of the pivoting mechanism, when it moves to the right, so that is usually why needlestrikes are off to the right, on these models, if there is still a sticky spot somewhere in the zigzag linkage. The big black upside down L shaped piece is the one which sometimes pivots the needle too far right, when there is still a sticky spot between the stitch width slide behind the stitch width |
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| 1311 view down into needlebar area Oil ports are visible, and easily accessible both from above, or from the side |
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| Bobbin gearbox 1311 if grease is too solid, too thin, dirty, clean it out and replace it. Yes, this original grease from the factory, IS supposed to be this color. Replacement grease can be almost any color. Superlube grease is supposed to be good on both metal, and synthetic gears, it is usually clear, like white vaseline. The point of grease in a gearbox, is to keep the gears constantly in grease, so yes, you should fill it pretty full, but leave room for movement. |
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| Check both motor brushes while cleaning and oiling machine, they are under the small black caps, one on each side of the motor. Hold one hand cupped, over the brush cap, as you unscrew it from the motor, so the spring will not send it shooting away! This is what they should look like, with plenty of the black carbon brush left. Be sure to install them back in the same way, with the curved surface so it will hug the commutator, as it spins around, when the motor runs. |
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| 1311 undersideview simple mechanics, well made |
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| Clutch knob in traditional handwheel, turn knob counter clockwise, while holding handwheel, to release clutch, to wind bobbins, without the needle moving Bed mounted feed dog drop for darning and embroidery Light/safety switch must be on for machine to run Note buttonhole program on upper knob outside ring |
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| 1311 Flatbed class 15 oscillating bobbin hook system, quick access to unjam no tools needed! Built in stitches include zigzag stitches, stretch stitches, and decorative stitches, plus a 4 step buttonhole |
Models 1311 and 1560 are almost the same, but 1311 is a flatbed, and does not have a built in scallop stitch, while model 1560 does have the scallop stitch, and is a budget priced freearm! They even have a built in 4 step buttonhole, no extra buttonholer required!
1311 video 148.13110 frozen to fixed, the zigzag needle used to hit the needleplate-
Video explains why, and shows areas to clean and oil, to fix this issue.
1560 (148.1560x) was my first sewing machine, which I bought together with my sister, in 1978, for $179 at Sears! We raised a calf and a pig, and sold them to our parents, as a way of earning money, to learn money management. My sister would not sell me her half, when I got married, she paid me $35 for my half of the machine, which left me desperate for a good working sewing mqchine, for years, until my grandparents gave me their green Kenmore basic zigzag model.
This did inspire me to learn to fix sewing machines, so it was a good thing, in the long run!
Built in cam stitches
Dual belt system, motor mounted under machine bed
Straight stitch
Stretch straight stitch
Zigzag
Blind hem
Mock overlock
Domino satin stitch
Arrow satin stitch
Buttonhole built in! (Use buttonhole foot with sliding action) 4 step buttonhole
Flatbed 148.1311x
Freearm 148.1560x
LOW SHANK FEET included when new-
Satin stitch zigzag foot
Zigzag foot A
Adjustable zipper foot
Straight stitch foot
Buttonhole foot with a sliding box to help the 4 step built in buttonhole program make beautiful buttonholes.
