Kenmore Super High Shank Quick Change Presser Foot System
Kenmore's luxury, super high shank (SHS) quick change (QCS) presser foot system, inspired by the Bernina quick change presser foot system, is found on both Maruzen (158) and Janome (385) manufactured Kenmore models. (The 385 SHS feet are not interchangeable with the 158 SHS feet, especially the lightning shaped SHS snap on foot version, there is just enough variation in thickness, not to be interchangeable.)
Quick video on how the super high shank quick change system works.
White arrow- threaded screw opening for walking foot adapter screw
Yellow arrow- tiny stop motion screw for QCS lever
Purple arrow- thread cutter blade
Red- nut locks lever on the reverse threaded end of the presser foot screw holding QCS lever in place
Lever up, locked position, notice the small black thread cutter on the lever. Notice the needle holder has a threaded hole, for those lucky enough to have the Kenmore Super high shank walking foot, or even feed foot, a special adapter screw must be installed here, to activate the fork, on the walking foot.
Lever down, presser foot unlocked, to remove foot, but you must raise the presser foot lift lever up, to the extra high position, to remove the foot.
Notice how the tiny screw on the bottom of the machine presser foot shank, prevents the QCS lever from moving out of position.
Presser foot lever up, but notice you only see a sliver of the purple paper, between the presser foot bar, and presser foot shank, you need to raise the presser foot lever higher, to the second position, using the extra high lift, to easily remove the presser foot.
Presser foot lever being raised to the second, super high position, notice you see a larger gap of the purple background, at the top of the foot, to remove it.
Here, I lowered the presser foot lever, which places the foot shank in the right position, so you can now push the lever at the top of the presser foot, up, to lock the presser foot in place.
Presser foot QCS lever is now locked, in the up position, now you are ready to use this foot to sew.
Presser foot lift lever up, and QCS lever up, in locked position.
Many people find the SHS QCS confusing, and difficult to use, occasionally making the bad decision to remove the system, only to find it difficult to remove. (The threaded shaft of the screw is actually 2 different sizes, and the skinny end is reverse threaded!)
The incredibly tiny stop screw, on the presser foot bar, has to be removed, to unscrew the lever, a tiny wrench (or small pliers) is needed for the tiny nut, and the presser foot bar must be down, to do these tasks, but I highly recommend NOT removing these, because getting them back on, and properly adjusted, has been described as a "NIGHTMARE", by those of us foolish enough to attempt it! (Been there, done that, in my younger days!)
Only the proprietary Kenmore super high shank feet, fit these models, initially, but now, you can purchase a super high shank to low shank adapter, to use low shank feet, including the snap on low shank adapters, and the large variety pack of snap on feet.
Kenmore 1803 complete set of super high shank Quick Change System presser feet and accessories (cams and monogrammer, buttonholer not in this photo)
Shirring foot, used to gather, shirr, ruffle, using stitch length 4 (longest basting stitch), and tightening the upper tension, to create gathers on lightweight woven fabrics. Using the seam guide with it, ensures even seam width, even at high speeds.
Commercial Rolled hem folder being used on a swing away adapter. I used a the SHS QCS clear satin stitch foot, which had the right toe broken off, with this rolled hem folder.
Q foot, clear satin stitch knits foot, worked perfect for embroidering the pretty leaf stitch in 2 shades of green thread (C cam 29 if I remember right), on 1803, with twin needles, with a paper backed iron on basting tape, used as a stabilizer, to prevent the satin ribbon from being pushed down into the needleplate opening. Tear away the paper, when completed.
Applique foot being used to stitch embroidered ribbon over the edge of my lace on my muumuu yoke. Notice I use my Kenmore awl (from an older model Kenmore) to help hold my ribbon in a mitered corner, to protect my finger from getting stitched.
Kenmore SHS QCS clear D satin stitch foot
(Which had the right toe broken off, when I bought it) works perfect with a knit binder, on a swing away adapter, for stitching on ribbed spandex binding.
Overlock foot used to zigzag finish upholstery fabric, for a sewing machine cover.
Satin stitch foot B metal version for stitching down the zigzagged, and pressed under hem on sewing machine cover made of upholstery fabric.
Presser foot B satin stitch using the thread slot as my edge guide for a perfect 1/16" edge stitch, on a strap for a zippered accessory bag, to match the sewing machine cover.
Adjustable Invisible zipper foot is perfect for stitching down a cording channel, on a drawstring bag for a schoolteacher's craft supplies.
D clear satin stitch foot is perfect for zigzagging over 3/8" elastic, to create an elastic channel inside a gathered sleeve, or shirring for a gathered waist dress
A foot standard metal foot
Straight stitch feet for center homing and left homing models, I put R and L indicating the needle opening position, in relation to the shank position, on each foot.
1803 feet
Overlock foot (overedge), cording
foot, metal shirring foot, applique foot
A all purpose metal zigzag foot, B satin stitch metal foot, D satin stitch clear foot, Q knit foot, adjustable invisible zipper, monogrammer foot
1802 accessory set presser feet tray second version
1802 presser feet tray from first version of "Tower of Power"
Both versions of 1802 "Tower of Power"
Accessories set. The second set was also sold individually, with a lid, in a box, which could be purchased separately, for models which only came with limited basic feet.
1802 SHS QCS adapters, for use with the variety of sized "spoon" hemmers, edge stitcher, and multi size binder
1802 SHS QCS adapters, for use with the variety of sized "spoon" hemmers, edge stitcher, and multi size binder
1802 SHS QCS adapters, for use with the variety of sized "spoon" hemmers, edge stitcher, and multi size binder
Adapter shanks shown with edge stitcher attachments, which can be used to sew tucks, insert lace and ribbons, and sew many antique French sewing techniques
Super High Shank to Low shank adapter, installed WITH the Quick Change System, and with a low shank adapter ankle, ready to snap on whicher foot I want to sew with!
The package shows where I bought my Super High Shank to Low Shank adapter. I am showing that the low shank ankle in this photo, must have the seam guide screw removed, to use this ankle, with this adapter.
The package shows where I bought my Super High Shank to Low Shank adapter. I am showing that the low shank ankle in this photo, must have the seam guide screw removed, to use this ankle, with this adapter.
The package shows where I bought my Super High Shank to Low Shank adapter. I am showing that the low shank ankle in this photo, must have the seam guide screw removed, to use this ankle, with this adapter.
You sewing can be much easier, and you can save a great deal of time, when you learn how to use Kenmore's proprietary Super High Shank Quick Change Presser Foot System, as well as how to use the super high shank adapter, and snap on low shank ankles, to use a wide variety of snap on presser feet!
