Eek, I broke something

[LiLStar]

.. And I don't know what its called. I was sewing along and the presser foot dropped out a couple times. I thought I was being clutzy and nudged the release or something. Then it fell out again, and a tiny screw and a little metal thing fell onto my project. It was like a little wire like thing spiraled a little bit, then on end looked like it must have snapped off. The presser foot won't snap back in so it must be part of what was holding it up. Does anyone know if that metal wiry thing has a name and even better, if I can buy another one? I have a Kenmore machine. I reeeally hope this is something I can just watch a youtube video for, buy a $2 part and fix myself. Please?! I'm in the middle of sewing 18 cloth goody bags for dd's birthday party this saturday, then wanted to make matching bean bags to put in the bags, and then if I wasn't all sewed out, a new birthday girl dress too! ACK! please tell me I can fix this.. quickly!

[oma to 9]

It sounds like the shank fell off because it came unscrewed.  Look on Google and see if you can find a free Kenmore manual.  It's easy to put back on if you know what you're looking for.  Did you get it fixed yet?  If not, I'll see if I can help you out.

Trisha in MO

[LiLStar]

I did manage to fix it! Out of curiosity I googled shank right now and I couldn't find any images that look exactly what fell off. What fell off of mine didn't look any more sophisticated than a specially bent paper clip, and the google results looked more sophisticated. Who knows. After fiddling with the thing for a few minutes I did manage to figure out how it went back on. And then.. WHERE did that world's smallest screw go?! I pretty much went on a cleaning/sweeping rampage looking for that dang thing. Because I didn't know how easy it would be to just go to home depot and find one that fits perfectly. But I was going to go first thing in the morning and try. But that would suck, because I *really* wanted to sew after the kids were in bed. Then I think my geocaching senses kicked in.. you know.. if I were to hide a 5 star nano in my dining room that would never be found.. where would I hide it? :P (you might need to google those terms to see what I mean!! lol) underneath the table leg, since the pad under the leg lifts the rest of the leg up just enough for tiny items to slip underneath. Seriously.. I felt about as awesome as I did the first time I pulled a fake bolt out of a concrete slab and discovered a geocache attached to it. It was just such an amazing hiding place. So! I fixed it :D Then I finished sewing those 18 goody bags and the 18 matching bean bags  and the kids loved 'em! so YAY! 

[oma to 9]

Awesome!!!  I'm glad you got it fixed and running.