Kenmore Mini Ultra 3/4 Size Sewing Machine with 6 Stitches Plus Buttonhole

I received this machine as a gift 7 years ago, and have since sewed everything from cardboard, denim, upholstery fabrics, quilts, paper, etc on it, and it is still chugging along! It's wonderful because it's fairly lightweight and medium sized, so it's easy to transport. It's also very easy to learn on, I taught myself how to use it and had sewed very little previous to using this machine. It has three straight stitches and seven variations of zig-zag stitches, as well as settings for making a buttonhole; new machines have way more settings for different stitches, but I've learned to do a lot of creative things just with this amount. If you are a really serious sewer you may be interested in a fancier machine with more options, but this one is wonderful if you are okay with limited stitch options. Replacements for needles and the light bulb have been easy and inexpensive. I've recently been learning about how to reset the tension, and this has been the first time it's given me any...Read more

I've owned this machine for about 6 years now and have been surprised how well it has lasted. For a cheap little machine it sews really well and keeps on sewing.
Pros: Reliable and easy to use, does a remarkable range of things- straight stitch, zig-zag, darning, blind hem, buttonhole, and maybe a few more things I'm not thinking of right now.
Cons: It is slow, the speed is frustrating for me. The stitch lengths are preset and you get to choose one of three, ditto the zig-zag. Not adjustable anywhere for anything. No handle to carry it.
Overall a nice lightweight machine that works well. I'm teaching my daughters (ages 8 and 11) to sew with this machine, and they are enjoying it.

I agree that this machine does get tangled up regularly. I bought mine several years ago because I don't sew regularly, more like spurts of projects. It has been good as a beginner's or novice machine. Still a novice, but I'm starting to get frustrated with it regularly tangling. It doesn't feel like it can handle a lot of sewing in one day or sitting, I have to regularly turn it off and walk away. I plan to pass it down to my teen as a learning machine.
PS regarding Pricing: I bought mine brand new from Sears in 2006 for $70.00. It's was a good price and value for the amount of use I have gotten out of it. I wouldn't pay more than 50.00 for it now. I would recommend if you are going to pay more than $80.00 to consider forking out a little more for a better machine.