Question:
It's a 1982 model , plain vanilla machine. I've recently started learning some quilting (or my own peculiar version of it, LOL) and read that a walking foot makes it easier to manuever the layers of cloth & batting through. I'm not doing any machine quilting yet, I'm tying my quilt, but those edges, bindings... I've broken about a dozen needles. ugh!
At Sears.com, they show a foot for only 3 particular models.
Also, what the heck does a walking foot look like? Cana anyone post a photo of one? Exactly how do they work? (Thinking maybe I can make something similar with pieces I have)
I have feet that don't fit my machine, cause I always buy sewing baskets and boxes of stuff anytime I come across them at yeard sales. I can always use the threads and etc, but some of the hardware I get is surely not for my machine...

Thanks, esp. for even reading through this long, disjointed post
!
Answer:
Susie, I think this one would fit your machine since it seems to be used for all vertical and horizontal bobbin sewing machine models, except 11101.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=APPL&pid=02 097700000

Those walking feet feed several layers of material (aka fabric) evenly, especially for quilting.

Also, is there a sewing machine repair in your area? Many of those stores have replacement parts.
Answer:
Thanks Elizabeth! For <$20 I may just try it. The nearest sewing machine repair is >75 miles away. It'd cost more in gas to go there than it would to buy from sears.com
It doesn't show how it attaches, but I suippose most Kenmore machines are probably universal...(?)
If it would fit, now at least I know what to look for.
Thanks!
Answer:
In theory the folks at Sears (parts) should know which foot will fit your machine.
What is the model number of your machine? (there were at least 14 different machines sold under the Kenmore name that were manufactured in 1982 alone.)
Also I believe that the early eighties was when some of the machines started being made by Janome (which was a good thing)...
Elaine
Answer:
I was under the impression that any foot would fit pretty much any machine, with the exception of some Singers (and maybe antiques). I've purchased several feet over the years (walking foot, 1/4 inch foot, darning foot) for various machines and all I've ever been asked is if it is for a straight or slant shank. (Some singers have the rod that the foot attaches to at a slight angle instead of coming straight down.) But then again I have no experience with the newer fancy comuterized models.
But I would admit it would make me more comfortable to buy a sears foot for a sears/kenmore machine, especially if having to return it would be a pain.
Answer:
If Jill is right about the walking foot fitting most machines, then maybe this auction would be of interest...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...em=81597740198
'Course you'd have to want all that other stuff too, but at least it's unused! lol
Answer:
huh? That auction was cancelled....?
I'm going to order the foot if I get a good price on my book auction. It looks like it will screw onto my vertical bar where the foot goes.

Can someone explain, plainly, how does it work? Does it actually help move the fabrics through? What's that lever on the right side for?

I have one - maybe 2 -- feet that do not fit my machine; came in a box of sewing stuff I got in a yard sale.
Answer:
How does it work?
Well, you know how the feed dogs under your fabric sort of pull/push the fabric along under the presser foot? Well, the walking foot tries to do the same to the top layer. It takes some 'doing' to get that motion transferred to the top of what you're sewing without it being built into the presser foot itself.
As you might have guessed from the way I said it above, it doesn't always work the best. I think the built-in thing that Pfaff has on their machines probably works better. I have an attachable walking foot that I almost never use.
I think you can do almost the same thing by holding your fabric curved up in front of the foot (which has the effect of slowing down the speed that the bottom layer feeds through the needle/stitching area.)
Another option is to use the spray-on temporary 'glue' or the fusible battings to anchor the layers together before you start to quilt. (Be sure to read up on these first though. There's a lot of variation in them. And you should NEVER breathe the fumes of the spray...)
I do think it's worth a try if you can get one at a reasonable price. You can always resell it to the next person who wants to try it!
Elaine
Answer:
I have one - maybe 2 -- feet that do not fit my machine...
Do you have pics of the feet? I would be interested in seeing them.
As far as how a walking foot works, its as Elaine described. The feed dogs push your fabric along from the botton. A normal foot just drags along the top. It you have several layers this drag can cause the layers to shift and cause puckers and problems. A walking foot mimics the movement of the feed dogs and helps move all the layers along together.
What's that lever on the right side for? That lever hooks over the screw that holds your needle. The up and down movement of that piece is what mimics the feed dogs.
Answer:
Another option is to use the spray-on temporary 'glue' ...
...And you should NEVER breathe the fumes of the spray... The project I'm currently working on has five layers held together with this spray on stuff. I guess this explains...... nevermind.