The 158.1060 is the last incarnation of the series 1040 Kenmores, closely resembling the 1050 in both function and appearance. While strictly part of the 1040 series, it mixes things up by ditching the iconic extension bed and rolling accessories tray. And while it shares the same footprint as it's earlier brethren, the 1060 is quite a bit taller which excludes it from fitting in the rose embossed carrying case.
These changes were necessary for its free-arm! A pair of sturdy aluminum legs are added for stability. Below you can see a small round magnet mounted on the front leg.
The 1060 has an accessories tray, but it is styled somewhat differently. It attaches via a latch and the aforementioned magnet in its base. The feed dog drop has moved closer to the race to accommodate the free-arm.
While the 1060 accepts the same quick change straight and zigzag needle plates, the actual needle plate is smaller due to the narrower width of the free-arm. I realize these aren't the best pictures to depict this, but pay attention to the position of the screws in the needle plates. The left picture is the larger plate on a 1045 and the one on the right is the smaller plate from the 1060.
Below, you can see a size comparison between a 1060 and 1040. The 1060 is just over an inch taller than its little brother as the legs add quite a bit of height to the machine.
Height affects stability, so to compensate, the 1060 uses a spring-loaded rear support leg to increase its footprint--activated by a little red button in the back.
Here's a quick overview of its features.
- Portable 3/4 size
- Detachable accessory box
- Quick change straight stitch and zigzag stitch needle plates
- Adjustable presser foot pressure
- Extra-high presser foot lift
- Reverse
- Sturdy metal construction
- Oscillating hook
- Feed dog drop
- Built in 4-step button hole
- Stretch stitches
- Accepts low shank feet
- Free arm
Performance and stitch selection are identical to the 1050.
Stitches:
- Straight Stitch
- Zigzag
- Stretch Straight and Zigzag
- Multi-step Zigzag
- Blind Stitch
- 4 Step Buttonhole
- Edge Stitch
- Elastic Stretch Stitch
- Overcast Stretch Stitch
- Smocking Stretch Stitch
Be sure to read my full 1040 review for an in-depth analysis of this series. Below you can see that both the upper tension and presser foot pressure are tucked away, just like in the 1050 while the bobbin winder is a hybrid mashup from the 1045 and 1050.
And finally we have the 1060, 1050, 1045, 1040 all lined up.
From left to right: 1060, 1050, 1045, 1040.
Whew! Unfortunately I don't currently have a 1020 or 1030 in my garage, so this completes my series on the Kenmore portables! If you had to pick a Kenmore portable, which would you choose?