I have a Kenmore Elite 385.19005 ,lower the presser foot message keeps coming up.I have taken apart cleaned and oiled and still coming up? How do I fix this? Thanks Brenda

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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You don't state the brand/model of your machine. If it is computerized model, the machine is not recognizing the presser foot's position. If there is a glass eye on the foot, make sure it is clean of any dust, lint, or fingerprints.

you may need to check the switch in the foot presser

HAVE THE 6091 MACHINE AND THE FOOT IS NOT FROZEN BUT WON'T GO DOWN. OILING THE MACHINE DID NOT HELP AT ALL. HAD A REPAIR MAN COME TO THE HOME AND CLEAN THE MACHINE. STILL THE FOOT WILL NOT GO DOWN.

It is in your top threading, try this test, rethread, now with the presser foot up, pull the top thread, it should feed smoothly, now lower the presser foot, it should barely move. Sometimes this seats the thread in the tension discs. Also, make sure that your needle is fresh.

It may be that your presser foot is not alligned with the cutter. This is the problem that I am trying to solve now. My presser foot is not lining up with the blade and it does what yours do. ok then nothing.I have changed the needles and cleaned it and oiled it. I have taken apart the foot and assembled it and when I put it back on it wont allign to the blade and the book is NO HELP at all. I won't pay for an answer but when i get it i'll lpass it on to you. OK.

You may not be using the correct presser foot for your machine.

Sewing Machine Feet

You may be using a low shank when your machine needs a high shank.

This may be a lubrication problem on the presser foot shaft. Try freeing up with penetrating oil or Triflow. After letting set for an hour lower the presser foot and pull down on the ankle. If that does not work you need to open the machine and loosen the clamp screw on the presser foot shaft. Then try to twist the shaft to loosen it up.

If the machine works on regular stitching and only messes up on free motion ,the most likely problem is the presser foot has not been lowered. Get everything ready to sew, lower the presser foot lever and pull on the upper thread near the take up lever. It should have tension on it. Raise the foot and try again, it should not have tension on it . If this is what you get, lower the presser foot lever and try it again.
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