Kenmore 17922 User Manual
Model 17920
17921
17922
OWNER'S
MANUAL
Sewing Machine
TABLE OF CONTEIMTS
1. KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE
Machine identification..................................................1-2
Setting your machine...................................................3-4
Foot control, Light/power switch, Electronic
needle control. Maximum speed control.
Accessory box
Parts list.......................................................................5 - 6
Spool pins and caps
Converting to free-arm sewing
Winding the bobbin
Threading the bobbin case
Threading top thread
Picking up bobbin thread
CONTROLS
Thread tension control..................................................12
Stitch selector and indicator. Stitch width control.... 13
Stitch length control, Reverse stitch lever
Stitch modifier............................................................. 14
Buttonhole control. Pressure regulator.........................15
Seam guides, Presserfoot lever
ACCESSORIES
Needles, Placement of needle
Needle, thread and fabric chart, Presser feet
Even feed foot. Adjustable holder
Edgestitcher, Quilting guide..........................................19
Needle plates. Feed cover plate...................................20
CARING FOR THE MACHINE
Cleaning feed dogs and shuttle
Oiling
.......................................................................
Changing light bulb.......................................................23
CHECKING PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS.. .24 - 25
2. STARTING TO SEW ...................................................26
Machine setting chart
Straight stitching......................................................29-32
Fastening a seam. Turning asquare corner.
Removing fabric. Darning, Temporary sewing
by machine. Zipper application - cording. Narrow
hemming. Quilting
Zigzag stitching........................................................33 - 35
Overcasting, Satin stitching. Bar tacking,
Appliqueing, Embroidery, Monogramming,
Button sewing
Blind hemming..............................................................36
Stretch stitches........................................................37-39
Recommendation, Adjusting stitch balance,
Straight stretch stitch. Rick-rack stretch.
Feather stretch. Smocking stretch. Elastic
stretch. Overcast stretch, Paris point stretch
Buttonhole making
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22-23
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27-28
40-46
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17
21
7
7
8
9
10
14
15
16
18
■1. KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINEi
IDENTIFICATION CHART
FRONT VIEW
13^
toiling *
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1.
Needle plate
Feed dogs
2.
Bobbin window
3.
Presser foot
4.
5. Needle clamp screw
Presser foot thumb screw
6.
7. Thread guide
Check spring
8.
Face cover
9.
Top thread tension control
10.
Threading channel
11.
Slotted take-up lever
12.
Bobbin winder tension disc
13.
14.1Built-in buttonhole control
liBIB
Bobbin winder shaft
15.
Bobbin winder latch
16.
17. Stitch width dial
Stitch indicator
18.
Stitch selector
19.
Reverse stitch lever
20.
Stitch length dial
21.
Needle up/down switch
22.
Basting switch
23.
24. Maximum speed control
Bobbin cover plate
25.
Accessory box
26.
Buttonholer/accessory box
27.
Owner's manual
28.
BACK VIEW
\ ihi
(
J
J
J
V
(
Electric cord receptacle 39.
29.
Light/power switch
30.
Nomenclature plate
31.
Stitch modifier
32.
Hand wheel/push-pull clutch 43.
33.
34. Telescoping spool pin
Foldaway carrying handle
35.
40.
41.
42.
44. Foot pedal
45.
36. Rear thread guide 46.
37.
Swing-away spool pin
Presser foot lever
38.
47.
48.
Presser foot release lever
Thread cutter
Foot control
Pedal lock knob
Cord receptacle
Foot control cord
Machine plug
Power-line plug
Foot control plug
SETTING UP YOUR MACHINE
1. Install your Kenmore sewing machine in a
Kenmore cabinet, case or set the machine
on a sturdy flat surface.
2. Your Kenmore sewing machine has been
thoroughly oiled at the factory. Be sure to
wipe off the needle plate area and bed
plate carefully before sewing a garment.
It is wise to practice on a scrap of fabric
so any surplus oil is absorbed.
3. FOOT CONTROL
Your machine is supplied with an
electronic foot control which enables you
to sew very slowly. Even at low speed you
have extra power for the needle to
penetrate through several thicknesses of
fabric. Faster speeds are also easily
controlled.
1. Pull out the foot control from its
storage position under the free arm.
(Fig. 1)
2. Slide pedal lock knob to the right and
the foot pedal will pop up to its
operating position. Push foot control
plug into the cord receptacle on the
foot control. (Fig. 2)
Pedal lock knob
Foot
Fig. 2
3. Push machine plug into the cord
receptacle at the rear side of the
machine. Then connect power-line
plug into any 110-120 volt A.C. wall
outlet. (Fig. 2)
4. LIGHT/POWER SWITCH
Your machine will not operate unless the
light/power switch is turned on. This
same switch controls the machine power,
sewing light and indicator lights on the
stitch indicator panel and electronic
needle control. If you are interrupted or
stop sewing, turn off the switch.
ELECTRONIC NEEDLE CONTROL
Your machine is electronically controlled
to stop with the needle in the up position
every time you remove pressure from foot
control.
NEEDLE UP/DOWN SWITCH
When you want to lower the needle, push
the left switch and the needle will move to
the down position with red light turned
on. Push it again or activate the foot
control and the light will disappear to
indicate the cancellation of needle down
position and the needle will move back to
the up position.
BASTING SWITCH
Tap the foot control with the right switch
pushed and lighted and the machine will
take one stitch only and stop with needle
in the up position. This feature provides
an electronically controlled basting or
tacking to take the chore out of hand
basting.
MAXIMUM SPEED CONTROL
You may want to vary the speed of the
machine, sewing slowly in special tight
places or if you are a new seamstress.
This control can be moved to the left to
slow the sewing of the machine. To
increase to the maximum speed, slide the
control to the right.
Electronic needle
control
Maximum speed
control
7. ACCESSORY BOX
Accessory box is opened by lifting the lid
up and swinging it toward you as shown.
Inside you will find many of the acces
sories that you use each time you sew.
The box may be fully removed from the
machine to convert it for free arm
stitching. See page 8.
PARTS LIST (Use only genuine Kenmore replacement parts and accessories.)
PRESSER FEET
Straight Stitch Standard Zigzag Satin Stitch
(No. 45171) (No. 44985) (No. 44988)
Zipper Foot
(No. 6759)
Plastic Satin Stitch
(No. 57978)
Blind Hem Foot
(No. 6886)
Zipper Foot
(No. 59090)
BUTTONHOLE ACCESSORIES
Overcasting
(No. 35094)
Overcasting
(No. 57983)
Plastic Satin
Stitch (No. 43776)
Straight Stitch
(No 57976)
Blind Hem Foot * Even Feed Foot
(No. 57986) (No. 6888)
“Q FOOT”
(No. 6843)
Standard Zigzag
(No. 57975)
* Included in the buttonholer box
■■QSKT"..
(No. 6858)
Satin Stitch
(No. 57977)
Built-in Buttonhole Guide
Foot (No. 43840)
Buttonhole Cover
Plate (No. 60753)
Built-in Buttonhole Guide
Foot (No. 57984)
Buttonhole Foot
(No. 41040)
Buttonhole Guideplate
(No. 58232)
Buttonhole Foot
(No. 57979)
Buttohole Templates
No. 1 Part 45195
No. 2 Part 45196
No. 3 Part 45197
No. 4 Part 45198
No. 5 Part 45199
Buttonhole Opener
(No. 6830)
OTHER VITAL ITEMS
Zigzag
Needleplate
(No. 57860)
Narrow Hemmer
(No. 29396)
Bobbin Winder
Rubber Ring
(No. 1913)
Bobbin Winder Light Bulb
Tension Disc (No. 6797)
(No. 39619)
Straight Stitch
Needleplate
(No. 57861)
Edge Stitcher
(No. 29306)
1
'liii
Feed Cover
(No. 43166)
IS/
Li
Plate
Quilting Guide
(No. 28861)
Foot Control
(No. 57544)
.
2 Spool Pin Caps
Large — No. 55503
Small - No. 53871
Foot Control Cord
(No. 57543)
C3)
Nylon Disc
(No. 2273)
Lint Brush
(No. 35848)
Adjustable
Holder
(No. 29308)
Large Screw Driver
(No. 55501)
Small Screw Driver
(No. 55500)
Magnetized
Mini Screw Driver
(No. 55499)
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
Packet of needles
with your machine
includes a variety of sizes.
Replacement needles
come in packages
of one size only.
Ruffler/Pleater
(No. 6895)
Needle Size
No. 9
No. 11
No. 14
No. 16
No. 18
"Q NEEDLE"
Double Needle
Needle Threader
(No. 43780)
Part No.
6550
6551
6552
6553
6554
6746
6749
Bobbin Box with
10 Metal Bobbins
(No. 6862)
Plastic Bobbins
(No. 6868)
Oiler
(No. 6890)
SPOOL PINS AND CAPS
Place a spool of thread on the pin and place
the appropriate size spool cap over the
thread.
CONVERTING TO FREE-ARM SEWING
This machine can be used either as a flatbed
or as a freearm model. With the accessory
box in place, the machine is a flatbed model
with a large working surface, which slopes
gently towards you to help the smooth flow
of fabric.
when sewing with a double needle. Pull it out
and place a nylon disc over it when using.
By removing the accessory box, the machine
converts into a slim freearm model for sewing
children's clothes, cuffs, trouser legs,
armholes and other awkward places.
1. To remove the accessory box, take it
firmly with your left hand and lift it up
until it clicks. Your machine is then ready
for free arm sewing.
2. To replace, slide the accessory box back
into place until it clicks.
WINDING THE BOBBIN
1. Place thread on Telescoping Spool Pin.
Draw thread through Rear Thread Guide
and Bobbin Winder Tension Disc as
indicated.
2. Pull end of thread through any hole in
bobbin; place bobbin on Bobbin Winder
Shaft with end of thread coming from top
of bobbin as shown above.
Push Bobbin Winder Latch against bobbin
until it clicks. Then pull Hand Wheel away
from machine to disengage clutch (see
diagram below). Hold end of thread
coming from bobbin (see above) and step
on foot control. After several rotations of
bobbin release thread.
When bobbin is full, winding stops
automatically. Push in Hand Wheel.
Remove bobbin from shaft and trim
thread end.
Treat Hand Wheel as a "clutch"
It controls the needle mechanism so that
when pulled out (disengaged), the rest of
the machine will not operate while the
bobbin is being wound.
For best stitching results use clear plastic
lightweight bobbins when stitching at high
speed with widest and longest stitch
setting.
8
THREADING THE BOBBIN CASE
(D
1. Remove accessory box.
2. Remove bobbin cover plate by lifting up
the front.
3. Insert bobbin into bobbin case making
sure bobbin rotates counter clockwise.
4. Pull thread through slot (A) and then to
the left.
5. Pull thread through slot (B) and leave
about 4 inches of thread.
6. Replace bobbin cover plate allowing
thread to emerge through slot in needle
plate.
THREADING TOP THREAD
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
1. Raise slotted take-up lever to its highest
position.
Place thread spool onto spool pin. Place
appropriate spool cap over the spool of
thread.
Draw thread through rear thread guide
(A) and into threading channel (B) toward
you. (Fig. 1)
2. Draw thread down and around check
spring (C) and up through slotted take-up
lever (D). (Fig. 2)
3. Draw thread down into thread guides (E)
and (F). Thread needle from front to back
as shown in Fig. 3.
THREADING DOUBLE NEEDLE
Place second spool of thread on second
spool pin, and thread machine as you would
for a single needle except double thread
guides are provided. Draw one thread
through each of these and through each side
of needle from front to back.
PICKING UP BOBBIN THREAD
1. Raise presser foot lever.
Hold needle thread loosely in left hand
and push needle up/down switch two
times or rotate hand wheel toward you
one complete turn.
2. Bring bobbin thread up by pulling upper
thread.
3. Pull both threads under and to the back
of the presser foot, leaving 3 to 4 inches
of thread clear.
If you can not pick up bottom thread by
following above steps, then check:
1. Is needle threaded ?
2. Is thread tangled around needle ?
3. Is bobbin case threaded correctly with
thread going through slots A and B as
shown on page 9, Fig. 4 and 5 ?
4. Is there 4 inches of thread coming from
bobbin case and through slot of needle
plate as shown on page 9, Fig. 6 ?
5. Is thread from bobbin case tangled ?
11
iCONTROLSi
THREAD TENSION CONTROL
STRAIGHT STITCHING
The good looking appearance of your stitching
is largely determined by the balanced tension of
both top and bobbin threads. The tension is well
balanced when these two threads 'lock' in the
middle of layers of fabric you are sewing.
For most fabrics the top thread tension control
should be set in the white zone between 3 and 5.
If, when you start to sew, you find that the
stitching is irregular, you will need to adjust the
tension control.
Make any adjustments with presser foot 'down'.
1. If the threads are locking on the top surface
with the top thread lying flat, the top stitch is
too tight. Tension can be decreased by
turning the tension control to the left (lower
numbers).
2. If the reverse is happening with the threads
on the underside of the fabric, the tension is
too loose. This can be corrected by turning
the tension control to the right (higher
numbers).
Under
side
STRAIGHT STITCHING
Well balanced
ZIGZAG STITCHING
The top thread may appear on the bottom
depending on the thread, fabric, type of stitch
and sewing speed, but the bobbin thread must
never appear on the top of the fabric.
In the case of zigzag stitching, the wider the
zigzag setting, the more chance there is of
puckering. If this occurs decrease the top
tension slightly and/or reduce the zigzag width.
BOBBIN THREAD TENSION
The bobbin thread tension has been correctly
set at the factory, so you do not need to adjust
it.
MORE TIPS ON THREAD TENSION BALANCE
A perfect stitch is obtained when the tension
is well balanced, but the tension balance may
vary according to the type and size of needle,
thread and fabric. The fabric determines size of
thread and needle. The presser foot pressure
and the thread tension control should also be
adjusted properly.
FABRICS:
Heavy fabrics, stiff - Increase top thread
tension. Use larger size needle, heavier thread
and longer stitch length.
Heavy fabrics, soft - Decrease top thread
tension. Use longer stitch length.
Light, sheer fabrics - Decrease top thread
tension and presser foot pressure. Use shorter
stitch length. Sew slowly.
THREADS:
Polyester and silk - Decrease top thread tension.
Nylon - Increase top thread tension.
Top stitch ^ Top stitch
too tight too loose
ZIGZAG STITCHING
12
STITCH SELECTOR AND INDICATOR
1. To select a stitch, be sure needle is out of
fabric at its highest position. Push the
stitch selector in and out to release the
mechanism.
2. Then turn the selector to left or right until
the required stitch is indicated by the red
light on the indicator panel.
STITCH WIDTH/NEEDLE
POSITION CONTROL
STITCH WIDTH CONTROL
The width of all the stitches produced on this
machine, with the obvious exception of
straight stitch, can be made narrower or
wider by adjusting the stitch width control.
To decrease or increase the width of a stitch,
turn the stitch width control dial from 0-4.
The higher the number the wider the stitch.
Recommended setting ranges are indicated
and color-coded with patterns on the stitch
indicator panel.
When sewing with a double needle, do not
use a setting above 2, as indicated on the
dial.
NEEDLE POSITION CONTROL
(Model 17922 only)
This dial is used to change needle position
when straight stitching. Three different
needle positions can be selected: S - standard
position for general sewing, C - center and
R - right.
STITCH LENGTH CONTROL
The stitch length control regulates the length
of the stitch you select. THE HIGHER THE
NUMBER-THE SHORTER THE STITCH.
Turn only the outer rim of this control to set
the stitch length.
The number on stitch length control indicates
the approximate number of stitches per inch.
The stitch setting you use will be determined
by the thickness of the fabric you are sewing.
A longer stitch setting should be used for
thicker fabric or more layers of fabric. The
middle range of the control is the 12 stitch per
inch range which is the most commonly
used.
Recommended stitch length settings are
indicated in three colors. The colors are
color-coded with the stitches on the indicator
panel.
The red marking between 0 and 24 is
the setting used for the shortest stitches such
as in satin stitching.
REVERSE STITCH LEVER
It is best to begin and end seams with a few
stitches taken in reverse. This is called back
tacking. Back tacking fastens the ends of the
seams firmly and prevents raveling.
When reverse stitching is needed, push
down the lever and hold there during sewing.
The fabric will immediately start feeding
backwards and seam will be fastened.
STITCH MODIFIER
When using stretch stitches and making
buttonholes, you may need to make use of
the stitch modifier. This regulates the
movement of the fabric backwards and
forwards to produce perfect stitches on fine
or thick fabrics.
The .stitch modifier should be in neutral
notched position for most materials.
14
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