Kenmore 15 Instructions Manual

Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Dear Homemaker:

This booklet has been written for you, to help you use and enjoy fully your KENMORE
Automatic Zigzag Sewing Machine.

We urge you to read pp. 2-24 before using your machine. This section explains the
operation of the special controls that allow you to do many tedious tasks automatically.
The following pages offer suggestions and instructions for specific controls that allow
you to do many tedious tasks automatically. The following pages offer suggestions and
instructions for specific ornament and time saving operations. See p. 24 before using the
automatic patterns or zigzag stitch.

We feel the KENMORE Automatic Zigzag Sewing Machine is the finest of its kind and
we are happy to offer help with any questions you may have regarding the machine.

Sincerely,

Jean Shaw, Director
Home Economics Laboratory
Department 817
Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Chicago 7, Illinois

Adjusting for Good Stitches………………………. 32
Adjusting Pressure of Presser Foot……………… 18
Adjusting Tensions………………………………12-13
Applique…………………………………………….. 22

Basting………………………………………………. 11
Blind Stitching………………………………………. 19
Buttonholes…………………………………………. 19

Changing the Presser Foot……………………….. 15
Cleaning & Oiling………………………………...27-29
Connecting Machine……………………………….. 4

Darning……………………………………………… 18
Decorative Stitching..………………………………. 15
Double Needle……………………………………24-25

Fastening a Seam………………………………….. 11
Feed Dog Control………………………………….. 15

Identification, Head Parts………………………….2, 3
Inserting Bobbin into Bobbin Case………………… 8
Inserting Disc……………………………………….. 16
Inserting and Removing Material…………………. 14
Installing Machine Head…………………………… 4

Needle & Thread Chart………………………………… 5

TABLE OF
CONTENTS

Needle Size……………………………………………… 5
Overcasting…………………………………………….. 23
Parts List………………………………………………… 33

Picking up Bobbin Thread…………………………….. 10
Placement of Needle…………………………………… 5

Removing Bobbin Case from Shuttle………………… 6
Reverse Stitching………………………………………. 11
Replacement of Belt…………………………………… 27

Setting Stitch Length…..………………………………. 11
Setting Stitch Width…………………………………… 16
Sewing Light……………………………………………. 4
Sewing on Buttons…………………………………….. 19
Sewing on Lace………………………………………… 22
Sewing on Plastic Films……………………………….. 26
Straight or Three-Cornered Tear……………………… 22
Synthetics……..………………………………………… 26

Threading Upper Machine……….…………….……… 9
Turning a Corner..……………………………………… 15

What to Do…………………………………………...11, 14
Winding the Bobbin…………………………………….. 7
Writing & Monogramming……………………………… 23

1. Hand Hole Cover Plate

2. Feed Dog

3. Presser Foot

4. Presser Foot Thumb Screw

5. Thread Guides

6. Thread T ension Assembly

7. Thread Guide

8. Face Cover Plate

9. Thread Take-up

10. Arm Cover Plate

11. Bobbin Winder Mechanism

12. Stitch Width and Buttonhole
Control Knob

13. Stitch Length Control Knob

14. Light Switch

15. Feed Dog Control Knob

16. Nomenclature Plate

2

17. Hand Wheel

18. Clutch Knob

19. Buttonhole Reverse Stitch Length Control

20. Upper Thread Spool Pins

21. Pattern Disc Shaft Cover

22. Bobbin Winder Tension Disc

23. Upper Thread Guides

24. Presser Foot Knob

25. Presser Foot Lever

26. Needle Clamp Screw

27. Thread Cutter

28. Needle Plate

3

INSTALLING MACHINE HEAD

Loosen the two hinge screws under holes in the rear
edge of the machine bed (1).Raise hinge pins in the
cutout (2).Slip machine head onto the pins and
tighten hinge screws securely (3).
Lower machine head to front flap.

SEWING LIGHT

The sewing light is place inside the face cover plate
as shown. It may be turned on or off by pushing
light switch.

In order to operate the machine, the

switch must be on.

To remove bulb, turn light switch off, open the face
cover plate by swinging it open, push bulb in
slightly, turn bulb clockwise and remove from
socket. To replace, push in new bulb in and turn
counter clockwise. See illustration 4.

CONNECTING MACHINE

Push the plug onto three-prong connector under the
bed plate. Plug machine cord into any 110-120V wall
outlet. See illustration 5.

4

NEEDLE AND THREAD TABLE

PLACEMENT OF NEEDLE

Raise needle bar to its highest po­sition by turning hand wheel
toward you. Loosen needle clamp
screw. Hold the needle with flat
side away from you. Slip the
needle as far as it will go into the
needle clamp, and tighten the
needle clamp screw.

THREAD SIZE

NEEDLE

SIZE

FABRIC

Cotton 60 – 100
Synthetic
Silk A
Machine embroidery

11

Sheer cottons, silks, and synthetics
Fine laces

Cotton 60 – 80
Mercerized 50
Synthetic
Silk A
Machine embroidery

14

Medium weight cottons
Medium weight silks
Medium weigh synthetics
Light weight woolens

Cotton 40 – 60
Mercerized 50
Mercerized heavy duty

16

Heavy weight cottons
Medium to heavy weight woolens
Heavy drapery fabrics

Cotton 30 – 50
Mercerized heavy duty

18

Heaviest cottons as for men’s work
clothes
Heaviest woolen coating

NEEDLE SIZE

Use KENMORE 6021 needles. The size of needle should
conform to the size of the thread and both should be suitable
to the material. The same size thread should be used in the
bobbin as on the upper part of the machine for ordinary
sewing. Never use a bent needle or one with a blunt point.

This is the exact length of the needle to be used in
your machine. Comparison with this illustration will
determine whether the needle you have is the
correct one for your machine.

5

6

WINDING THE BOBBIN

7

INSERTING BOBBIN INTO BOBBIN CASE--------CASE INTO SHUTTLE

8

THREADING UPPER MACHINE

9