ladydukes

I have a kenmore that's left homing.

Rodney

I think the easiest way is to look for that L M R or L C R control. As mentioned it's not always visible in pictures though. There's just too many makes and models of machines to try to put together a list of which ones are left homing IMO.
Left homing machines aren't ideal for quilt piecing due to the narrow seam allowances causing uneven feeding but are fine for everything else.
Rodney

path49

I have 4 different low shank Kenmores that are center homing & don't have moveable needle positions....so no LCR lever. Of course, if it IS left-homing, the moveable needle positions solve that!

I have an early 385 Kenmore that has a left-homing zigzag....in other words, the left side of the zigzag stitch is always at the far left of the foot....& as you decrease your zigzag width, only the right side of the stitch moves. But if you're straight stitching, the needle is centered.

A lot of the super-high shank model Kenmores are left-homing....maybe all of them are. None of my low shank Kenmores are. But, that's not to say that none of the low shank ones are...just none of mine!

quilt938

I think the 1802 I bought is slightly left of center but I didn't know - had no idea to even look for something like that -when I got it. I think it's one i'll like sewing on but not for piecing probably. sigh. hope the model 48 isn't left homing - I don't think it is but haven't examined it super close up with good lighting.

Cari-in-Oly

You can't go by that Rodney because there are many fixed position machines that are center position. Several of my Brothers don't have needle position selectors and only one is a left needle machine.

Cari

Rodney

That's too bad. Maybe checking in person is the only reliable way then.
Rodney

MFord

Forgive me if this is a dumb question- but, why were any sewing machines left homing? Seems like center would always be best.

SherylM

I have three super high shank Kenmores and two of them are left homing - the 1703 and the 1914. The 1641 is not. None of my low shank ones are either. I have two other machines that are left homing - a Capitol Deluxe "dashboard" machine and a New Home 532.

And I agree with Rodney - not good for piecing, but fine for everything else.

Cari-in-Oly

There is a file at the VintageSewingMachineRepair yahoo group that explains this in detail. I won't try to totally explain it here, but it has to do with a less expensive way to have the machine do zig zag AND be able to make buttonholes. More expensive machines used a fixed cam for zig zag so needle position wasn't an issue. A left needle doesn't have the zig zag fixed cam, it uses an arm on an oscillating track for zig zag. There's more to it that has to do with making buttonholes but I can't explain it any better without copying the file.
I'm not at home to check any of my machines, but my pea brain is kind of questioning this, I think my Flairmatic uses the oscillating track for zig zag and it's a center needle machine.

Cari

Rodney

Keep in mind quilting wasn't a primary use for sewing machines when many of these machines were made. Most quilt making was done by hand for long after sewing machines were made. I remember my grandma sewing pieces by hand. She always had a bag with her with some sort of project in it whether it was quilting, knitting or whatever.
Left homing wasn't a huge factor to most people buying machines.
Rodney