Brand
Kenmore is a Sears house brand, and it first appeared on a sewing machine Sears sold from 1913 to 1919, long before it meant fridges. Sears didn't build its own machines. From the mid-1920s most were Whites from Cleveland, and those carry the 117 prefix. By 1958 Sears had moved to Japanese machines. The Japanese maker Maruzen, later Jaguar, signed a long-term contract with Sears in 1957, and the 158-series manuals are printed in Japan. The number on the plate on the back tells you exactly which machine you have, and Sears told owners to quote it when ordering parts. Many Kenmores need their own cams or pattern discs for decorative stitches, so ask for them.
1 model we cover.