I just recently received an older zig-zag sewing machine, Kenmore model #158.3011. It has the needle in the left side position, I cannot find a lever, switch, or button to get it to the center position. I would love a manual but cannot find one online.
I spent a lot of time worrying myself to death over this problem. One day I changed feet on my machine, and guess what? The needle was in the middle! I got to looking at the foot I was using - comparing it to the new one - the old ones's needle slot was off to one side , with the side foot wider on one side - all that worrying for nothing, when I should have just been thankful that it worked.
Did you check to see if there was a way to move the needle on the holder itself? I had an old machine once and you could unscrew the needle, pull it out, and reinsert it in one of 2 openings, then reclamp, and start sewing.
This site below is WONDERFUL! They have old & hard to get copies of manuals for sale PLUS they have free threading diagrams for lots & lots of old & new machines. Just click on the "MANUAL" button at the top left of their home page... I buy a lot of older machines at thrift shops & this site has helped me. Also, my son was left an older machine by his grandmother when she passed on & he found out how to thread it & use it from this web site:
* An idea just came to me... Is the needle on the left because the machine is in the "Zig-Zag" setting? I just looked at my (early 1980's) Kenmore & when I have the stitch width turned wide then the needle will stay on the left or right, no matter what setting & type of stitch it's set on. Make sure your stitch width is set at straight stitch. The key is: Does the zig-zag still work with the needle in that position? If so, then just use a zig-zag foot (large hole foot) to sew straight & you should still be able to sew most everything. My brand new Brother has a setting that places the needle on the left, but it's a computerized model & I'm sure yours is mechanical. I had another machine that the needle was moved with a sliding lever. Also, I've had great luck going into small "ma & pa" sewing repair stores & they have showed me simple things about my machine at no charge.
---> Also, I don't know if you know it but most Kenmore machines are "low shank" machines as are most Brother & White (as well as Euro-Pro) machines... This means you can inter-change attachments & feet from one brand to another... Most Singers have a high or a slanted shank so the older Singer feet usually won't swap... I have owned several older Kenmore machines & the older they are the better. I had an early 1950's model & that machine was built to LAST as were all of the machines that were built before the 1980's. They were built stronger & if you can find a machine that's made before the 1960's or 70's then you'll have a REAL gem! These older machines are super strong & durable because they were built before plastic was invented (Plastic started becoming popular in the late 50's). They may be strong, but you pay for that in weight! ... These older machines many not have all the "bells & whistles" but as long as you have zig-zag you can sew pretty much anything with them anyway... In fact I just gave my 6 year old granddaughter a "Vintage" black 1937 Singer for her birthday & every time I sew on it I marvel at how much better & smoother it runs than my brand new machine & any of my other 4 "newer-used" machines. It's super-easy to thread (only 3 slots) & runs like it's brand new... (& I paid only $25 for it at my favorite thrift store!) But, alas, it has no ziz-zag... But it's so easy a 6 year old can thread it! ...But, don't try & carry it! ...Or your back will go out! ...It's got to be made of cast iron, I've never lifted a heavier machine!
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