The Kenmore 1664 serger or model 385.1664190 was manufactured in Taiwan for Sears by the Janome sewing machine company. I don’t quite know when the 1664 was made, but I do know it was before 2000.

This machine arrived in pretty much unused condition, but frozen solid as a rock. It took me more than 9 hours over the course of four days to free it up.

After you remove the outer plastic shell, all of the drive parts are metal. The adjuster knobs and gears for stitch length and the differential feed are plastic, but they are mostly non stressed parts.

After removing the outer plastic parts mentioned above I used a hair dryer to heat the internal parts, while using a towel to shield the plastic adjustment parts, from the heat and keep them from melting or deforming.

Short video of the machine moving for the first time in probably 20 years.

Instructions, badging, and labels

The machine has instructions for how to thread, and adjust the tension inside the front cover. I’ve added a photo of the label for the motor since you can’t see that without removing the outer plastic parts.

These are some of the first stitches after I got it all put back together.

Specifications

Brand	Kenmore
Model	385.1664190
Manufactured By	Janome
Made In	Taiwan
Needle System	15×1
Construction	Metal and Plastic
Construction Drivetrain	All metal

Would you like to know more?

• History of Sears Sewing Machines (Kenmore, Minnesota, Franklin Explained)
• ISMACS – Sears Roebuck
• Sears Kenmore Sewing Machines
• Facebook Group – Vintage Sewing Machines
• Facebook Group – Vintage Sears Kenmore and White Sewing Machines
• Facebook Group – Vintage Kenmore Sears Sewing Machine Adoration and Restoration