Has anyone heard of this sewing machine brand?

Question

This is a bit of an odd question, because the sewing machine in question is my mother's and she bought it nearly 30 years ago, either in Dubai or Bahrain (the Middle East definitely). I know it's an Arabic brand but I can't find any trace of it anywhere on the net.

It's a Mehbooba, and it's rather wonderful. However, I want to know if the feet on it (or most sewing machines for that matter) are standardized, or whether I would need to find feet specifically to match the brand.

Thanks,

Jess

Answer 1

Most feet petal type are standard...If it fits...it's ok to use.  Just use the existing part to match the config. on replacement.

Answer 2

You'll probably find it is not an Arabic brand but rather a standard model from another manufacturer that has been re-labelled MehBooba.

Answer 3

There are some exceptions to being able to buy generic feet (Bernina is one, as are some of the old slant-shank Singers), but the general types are low shank, high shank, ultrahigh shank, and snap on.  Generic low shank feet are widely available, and there's usually an adapter to allow them to go on a machine that takes high shank, ultrahigh or snap on.

You could take one of the existing presser feet to a sewing machine shop and they can tell you what sort you have, or you can look here: http://www.clotilde.com/pages/which_foot...

If this machine does zigzag stitches, it would be wise to know how wide a zigzag the machine is capable of, so the width of the slot in the foot can be matched.  If you buy a foot with too narrow a slot in it, you can't use the full width of stitch.  If you buy a foot that's much too wide, the foot may not keep the fabric moving on the feed dogs well.  

At any rate, any shop with a copy of the Brewer's wholesale catalog (which is most of them) can get you generic feet, and any tech there should be able to id the shank style at a glance.

If that's not convenient, Nancy's Notions has a number of generic feet available online, Clotilde a lesser number and Ron at A1 sewing has been quite responsive to requests, too, and is very knowledgeable.

http://www.nancysnotions.com/NNVia/viaLi...

http://www.clotilde.com/list.html?criter...

http://www.a1sewingmachine.com/

A few clear photos of the machine (especially front, back, sides, and needle/needleplate area) may help Ron determine who the maker of the machine might be, if he's willing.

If the machine has been idle for a number of years, it'd be best to haul it in for a COA (clean/oil/adjust).  Grease and oil does get thicker or oozes out of important spots  with time.

Answer 4

Most machines in the U.K have the same type of feet that work on most machines, but your machine is from a different continent so it'd probably be from a different provider so it might have to have different feet, plus its old so they might not use the same type anymore. Sorry to crush your dreams lol.

Answer 5

i only know of singer and brothers sorry i can't help you try the internet

Answer 6

Sorry Jess, cannot offer a solution, but I would just comment that neither Dubai or Bahrain have a manufacturing industry as such and that the machine is 99% certain to have been an import.  the name  Mehbooba will have been chosen by the manufacturers Marketting department as being short, snappy and non offensive and it will not reflect who the actual makers are.  If it is a portable, remove it from its casing and have a look at the underside, there may be a manufacturers name on the metal or plastic body casing.

You could also try doing a google search on that name which may come up with something.

I rather feel that the feet may be a fairly standard fitting anyway - and not necessarily made by the machines manufacturer. You could try your local sewing machine shop - if it is a portable take it in and ask if they could try one of their aftermarket  feet on it.