Kenmore sewing machine part

[laundromat]

My Aunt Kathy in Maryland has a Kenmore sewing machine

Model # 1589
Serial # 0010080

She makes her own quilts and needs a part known as a 1/2" quilter's foot. In the owner's manual where the parts list is,it doesn't show it. It has a part (part # 6843) that is a foot but does not specify which one it is.

If anyone here can give me any info or knows what part she needs to order, please let me know.

Mahalo and Aloha!!

 

[aamassther]

Hello laundromat, It's likely a 1/4 inch piecing foot that creates a standard quarter inch seam by following the edge of the foot. If she can't find the foot at Sears, try a Janome dealer, most Kenmore's are Janome made. At the dealer I work we sell two versions, one with a guide and one without. HTH, Todd

 

[laundromat]

Thanks Todd. Auntie Kathy said she thinks it's made by Brother.I'm not as familiar with sewing machines as I am with other appliances.

 

[gansky1]

Many of the older, metal Kenmore machines were White made.  White made literally millions of sewing machines over the years for many brands and while never considered the very best money could buy, they were certainly affordable, reliable performers.  A 1/4" foot should be easy enough to find if there is a local shop to call, they can discern which make of machine she has with the Kenmore name on it and get the correct foot.  There are many after-market parts for the older machines so it should be easy.  The simplest and most economical solution for immediate use would be to use a piece of scotch tape on the plate placed at the 1/4" measured distance from the needle while in the down position.

 

White manufacturing moved to Japan a couple of decades ago so therein may be the present day connection to Janome.  They are made all over Asia now, high-end machines are the last to be built in Japan the rest in China and Thailand or Taiwan.  This picture was on the Sears sewing machine parts website.  Toyota!

 

While at the Home Show on Sunday morning, Fred and I saw the brand new Bernina 3/4-size machines on display.  What a nice niche machine those look to be - and with the Bernina name, they can easily tap the loyalty of their full-sized machine buyers.  I have a 440QE and a small 801 from the 70's, love them both so no need for another here. 

What other brands do you carry at your dealership, Todd?

 

 

[aamassther]

HI Greg, Thanks for posting all of that excellent information. Seems all of the manufacturer's are moving their production to Asia. Bernina has sent production of their Activa, along side their Bernette lines there. The holding company that owns Singer, Viking and Pfaff has sent all of it's production to China.
Our dealership also sells Brother Innovis and Babylock machines. Todd

 

[mixfinder]

Spell Bound

Entertainment tonight!!  The knowledge base that comprises this group is nothing short of amazing.  The second most amazing part piece is how open, generous and helpful the membership is to each other.  There is no way to quantify the friendship, learning, video captures, step by step instructions and vast warehouses of supplies and parts are provided from the collection of our combined basements and garages.  My grandmother was an excellent seamstress and my wife simply made the machine sing.  Like Picaso, magic and art sprang from the Singer she used.  I determined to learn to sew once and bought a used Singer.  I didn't get far but wish I could turn the magic I see so many others do.  I'd make and wear boatneck shirts the rest of my life.

 

[gansky1]

Todd, we were talking about the Brother, Babylock & Janome relationship this weekend - are they indeed the same manufacturer or related?

 

I found a fourth machine for my sewing adventures recently, a Singer 404.  It was in a thrift store and pretty dusty but had been maintained well and just purrs like a new machine - if such a thing were made now!  Sorry about the picture, it looks better on a 2" screen but the machine itself is just minty clean now.  Fred Nelson came in from Chicago for the Nebraska Quilter's Shop-Hop and we hit a bunch of shops on Saturday and Sunday.  He brought me a new electronic control for my 1938 Singer Featherweight so we had lots of playing to do.

 

[gansky1]

This was one of the coolest shops we went to, a former church.  You can still see some of the original pews are still there.

 

 

[gansky1]

The theme of the shop-hop this year was "Charming Nebraska" and at each stop, we were given a charm.  Not having charm bracelets, we bought these pins and of course, made them into nipple-pins

 

 

[aamassther]

Hi Greg, Each company is a separate entity. Brother International and Janome being Japanese companies. Babylock is owned by Tacony in St. Louis, who's sewing machines are mostly made by Brother. They only have minor software differences. Janome now owns Elna, obviously making those machines(just learned that this weekend).
It looks like you had a great weekend fabric shopping! Fun store! I see several I would like to have.
I just spent the weekend at the International Quilt Festival in Cincinatti. I was there with the dealership as the Brother dealer. It was amazing to see all of the fabric and accessories.
Your new Singer looks like the machine I used in 7th grade Home Ec. Nice machine. I'll bet the electronic foot control help the needle piercing power of your Featherweight! It's one of my dream machines, the stitch is unparalleled. I saw a sewing table for the Featherweight that looked like a wooden card table, black like the machine like a spot in the front for the machine, very cool.