I have an old Kenmore Model #12493 and the needle and presser foot won't move.

Sears carries a lot of manuals for their machines, although usually not free. In the meantime, there are many threading videos that demonstrate machine threading. Machines of similar models will thread similarly.

Threading mom old kenmore sewing machine

Kenmore 158 17550 Sewing Machine Tutorial

Probably best to raise the presser foot when threading so the thread will seat in the tension disk.

Before trying to sew, be sure to oil your machine with fresh, good quality sewing machine oil. Open the top, the side near the needle bar, and turn it on its back to get the underside. Place a couple drops of oil every place that metal rubs on metal. Adding hot air from a handheld hairdryer will make the oil effective quicker.

Be sure to install a brand new needle and use good quality thread--not old or bargain bin variety!

On the top left, there is probably a push button. This is the presser foot pressure adjustment. When the machine is stored, this pop-up button should be released (press down on the outer ring). Being stored with the pressure full on will eventually compress the spring that provides the pressure. Also, be sure to store the machine with the presser foot in the down position (preferably on a piece of scrap fabric). Avoid running the machine with the presser foot in direct contact with the feed dogs as this will wear the feed dogs and also create grooves in the presser foot.

Kenmore 158 1601 Sewing Machine Cleaning oiling and Maintenance

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Sewing shops are loaded with this stuff. You can order online too. You'll need the make & model number. Do a little research, I think Kenmores are simply repackaged Singers.

Has moving the lever felt mushy or really loose and wiggly lately? If so it's probably worked itself loose and jumped off it's path. OR if it is plastic it probably broken.

If it is definitely broken contact Sears parts for a replacement. If it is metal then you can get into the head area.... you can probably tighten the screw that holds it in place.

Good luck

first go to singer website & check & see if they have a manual for the machine
Go to the singer website
Go to the home page
Go to customer service--click on it--it will show a small menu--click on instruction manual
In the box put the model number (example 4016) & click search

here are some other websites to check for a manual
sewingpartsonline.com
sewusa.com

the presser foot has a lever at the back of the machine or side which
lifts the presser foot, the needle move up & down when you press on the foot pedal.

if the needle bar doesn't move the needle up & down then the machine needs to be serviced, to find out why it isn't moving

the buttonhole foot snaps on to the presser bar, there's a little lever at the back of the presser bar that releases the foot, then put the buttonhole foot down on the needle plate & use the presser foot lifter (number 11) to lower the presser bar down onto the buttonhole foot & you'll hear a click sound when it snaps on & make sure to use the buttonhole lever(number 31) because the machine won't sew a buttonhole unless that lever is pulled down.

Remove bobbin, presser foot, needle. Tip machine back on towel gently. Unscrew plate--don't lose screws! Do not service in presence of children and curious pets. Put foot pedal next to you on tabletop. Use Zoom Sewing Machine oil. Any part MOVING that are NOT gears get one drop oil. Any DRY ONLY gears get dab of Singer sewing machine lubricant. Replace screws. Secure screws. Open left front compartment & one drop oil @ top of needle bar. Open race shuttle (where bobbin case fits in). One-half drop oil of on oscillating hook (bottom left - hand corner...smear that oil around! Insert NEW needle all way UP in needle bar groove, flat needle shank toward back. Turn handwheel towards you and raise. Raise presser foot so that threading locates all tension slots a's you pull thread TAUT from spool to each tension slot and left to right through silver, metal take-up lever, and down to tension bracket, pass needle, then pull 6" thread towards you and thread from FRONT to BACK of needle. Place bobbin into case and "thread" it. Set presser foot on DOWN position. Turn handwh towards you, dipping needle into needle plate. Make loop with bobbin thread, pull towards you. Place a good 7" underneath presser foot (both threads). Let machine RUN on 24" scrap to distrubute oil/lube. That's it! Jimmy

Hello there! Make sure your pattern selector is compatible with the presser foot. Good idea to test with a straight stitch setting: Tension: 4. Width:4-5. Length 5 after you insert a new needle and re-thread machine. Your previous needle may have become bent when machine malfunctioned. Use fabric compatible with needle size. Always raise presser foot when threading! Then always lower presser foot before sewing. Remember to use blue tip scarf needles with synthetic fabric silk thread 50. Purster thread 50, mercerized cotton thread 50-60; #11 or #9 for fine or lightweight fabric with silk thread 50 or fine Pollyester thread; #18 leather needle for leather, #14 - 16 denim . Jimmy Sweep out shuttle carefully with small brush for broken threads and lint.

Why are you using #16 needle, that is very heavy duty? Did your machine pick up the bobbin thread correctly? Try a different needle, #11, (inserted facing away from you) is usually good. Make sure that you have decent thread and that it is the same weight top and bottom. Now rethread, with the presser foot up and when you have that done, with the presser foot stiil up, pull top & bottom thread, it should feed smoothly, now with the presser foot down, pull the thread, it should barely move. This usually seats the thread in the tension discs. Put your top tension at 3 and see if that makes a difference.

when needles hit the presser foot they are out of alignment and the needles get bent