![](/html/04/0491/0491046a7f15150176bacbce4cb110d21d30fd9338d2bda89c4c792fa8355ef6/bg1.png)
Kenmore
INSTRUCTIONS
ZIG • ZAG SEWING MACHINE
MODEL 1430/1431/1625/1641/1940/1941
59982
![](/html/04/0491/0491046a7f15150176bacbce4cb110d21d30fd9338d2bda89c4c792fa8355ef6/bg2.png)
TABLE OF CONTENTS ..............................................
,
KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE
Identifying Parts ................................................. 2, 3
Installing Machine ............................................... 4, 5
Converting to Free-arm Sewing ................................ 6
Winding the Bobbin ............................................... 7
Threading the Bobbin Case...................................... 8
Threading of Top Thread ........................................ 9
USING THE CONTROLS
Adjusting Top Tension ........................................... 10
Adjusting Bobbin Tension ....................................... 11
Checking Tensions ................................................ 12
Stitch Width Control .............................................. 13
Stitch Length Control ............................................. 13
Reverse Stitch Control ........................................... 14
Special Stitch Modifier ........................................... 14
Buttonhole Control ................................................ 14
Special Stitch Dial ............................................ 15, 16
Pressure Regulator ................................................ 17
Feed Dog Control .................................................. 18
Sewing Light ....................................................... 18
Needle Plates .................................................. 19, 20
Seam Guides .................................................. 19, 20
ACCESSORIES
Needles .............................................................. 21
Needle, Thread, and Fabric Chart .............................. 22
Presser Feet ........................................................ 23
Buttonhole Attachment .......................................... 24
=
STARTING TO SEW .............................................. 25
GARMENT CONSTRUCTION STITCHES
Straight Stitching ............................................ 26, 27
Zigzag Stitching ................................................... 27
Stretch Stitching ............................................. 28 - 30
SPECIAL FINISHING STITCHES
Buttonhole Making .......................................... 31 - 34
Blind Hemming ..................................................... 35
Satin Stitching, Appliqueing .................................... 36
Zipper Application ................................................. 37
Mending ........................................... -.................. 38
Darning ...................... -........................................ 38
Button Sewing ..................................................... 39
Bar Tacking ............................... ....: ..................... 39
FREE-ARM SEWING ............................................. 40
1
CHECKING PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS ............. 41, 42
4.
CARING FOR THE MACHINE
Cleaning Feed Dogs and Shuttle ............................... 43
Oiling Under Arm Cover Plate ................................... 44
Oiling Underside .............................................. 45, 46
Oiling in Face Cover Plate ........................................ 46
Parts List ....................................................... 47, 48
![](/html/04/0491/0491046a7f15150176bacbce4cb110d21d30fd9338d2bda89c4c792fa8355ef6/bg3.png)
_1. _KNOWING YOUR MACHINE _
FRONT VIEW
@
@
@
@
@
@
®.
@
@
@
@
®
(Flat-bed type)
2
![](/html/04/0491/0491046a7f15150176bacbce4cb110d21d30fd9338d2bda89c4c792fa8355ef6/bg4.png)
!625, !
1641,
19412
only)
BACK VIEW
(Model 1430, 1940)
(-_odel 19412 only)
(Flat-bed type)
3
![](/html/04/0491/0491046a7f15150176bacbce4cb110d21d30fd9338d2bda89c4c792fa8355ef6/bg5.png)
INSTALLING MACHINE (Free-armtype)
1. To install the machine in cabinet, position
machine head on cabinet platform so that
holes on bottom of machine match those
on boards. Insert washers and screws
and tighten into place. (Fig. 1)
2. A separate base and cover is available to
carry the machine when needed. The
base must be removed when machine is
used.
To install machine in carrying case, set
machine into base, with word FRONT in
base facing you. (Fig. 2)
Place cover on machine with word
4
"SEARS" on handlefacing you, Thecase
slopes in the same direction of the ma-
chine. (Fig. 3)
,
Push the speed control plug onto three-
prong connector, Plug machine cord
into any !10.!20 volt wall outlet. Turn
on power by pushing light and powe_
switch. (Fig. 4)
,
Spool pins are packed in accessorybox.
Screw thread spool pins in placesecurely
with a screw driver, Positionnylon discs
as shown.in illustration.
![](/html/04/0491/0491046a7f15150176bacbce4cb110d21d30fd9338d2bda89c4c792fa8355ef6/bg6.png)
INSTALLING MACHINE (Flat bed type)
1. Loosen the two hinge screws under
holes in the rear edge of the machine
bed.
2. Raise hinge pins in the cabinet or
case. Slip machine head onto pins.
3. Tighten hinge screws securely.
4, Push the speed control plug onto
three-prong connector under the
bed plate. Lower machine head to
front cabinet flap,
g
Plug machine cord into any 110-120
volt wall outlet. Turn on power by
pushing light and power switch.
6,
Spool pins are packed in accessory
box. Screw thread spool pins in
place securely with a screw driver.
Position nylon discs as shown in
illustration.
5
![](/html/04/0491/0491046a7f15150176bacbce4cb110d21d30fd9338d2bda89c4c792fa8355ef6/bg7.png)
CONVERTING TO FREE-ARM SEWING
° Remove the base from the machine
by pushing the release button (if
applicable) and pulling the base to
the left. (Fig. 1, 2)
6
2. To replace the base, simply slide it
along the free arm to its original
position. (Fig. 1)
Note: Base cannot be removed or
replaced unless shuttle cover is
closed.
![](/html/04/0491/0491046a7f15150176bacbce4cb110d21d30fd9338d2bda89c4c792fa8355ef6/bg8.png)
WINDING THE BOBBIN
,
Release clutch by pulling hand wheel
or turning clutch knob toward you as
shown in Fig. 1.
,
Draw thread from spool through
bobbin winder tension disc asshown.
3.
Pull end of thread through hole in
bobbin as shown.
Place bobbin onto bobbin winder
4.
shaft with end of thread coming
from the top of the bobbin. Push
bobbin winder latch against bobbin
until it clicks, Holding onto end of
thread, start machine. When bobbin
is slightly filled, snip off end of
thread.
5.
Start machine. Wind thread until
bobbin winder latch releases.
6.
Push in hand wheel or tighten clutch
knob to return to stitching position,
Remove bobbin,
7
![](/html/04/0491/0491046a7f15150176bacbce4cb110d21d30fd9338d2bda89c4c792fa8355ef6/bg9.png)
THREADING THE BOBBIN CASE
1. Remove base front cover by push-
ing the release button on the left
side. Open the shuttle cover.
2. Raise needle to its highest position
by rotating hand wheel toward
you.
3. To remove bobbin case from shut-
tle, pull open latch of bobbin case.
4. Pull bobbin case straight out of
shuttle.
5. Insert bobbin into bobbin case mak-
ing sure thread is coming from
bobbin as shown.
6. Pull thread through slot of case as
shown.
7. Pull thread under tension spring.
8, Holding latch open, position case
into shuttle, and release latch. Case
should lock into place when latch
is released.
![](/html/04/0491/0491046a7f15150176bacbce4cb110d21d30fd9338d2bda89c4c792fa8355ef6/bga.png)
THREADING OF TOP THREAD
Place thread on spool pin as shown
with thread coming from the back of
the spool. Draw thread through the
top thread guide. Holding the spool
stationary with right hand, pull the
end of the thread between the tension
discs as shown. Pull the spring wire
loop up and past the top hook until
the thread can be slipped into hook
(See Fig. 2).
When the thread is released, the spring
wire loop will return to position (Fig.
3) with thread in proper place. Release
spool of thread and hook thread into
take up lever as shown (Fig. 4).
Continue to thread machine exactly
as shown. Needle must always be
threaded in direction as shown in
Fig. 5.
Hold needle thread loosely in left
hand and rotate hand wheel toward
you one complete turn, Bring bobbin
thread up by pulling upper thread.
9
![](/html/04/0491/0491046a7f15150176bacbce4cb110d21d30fd9338d2bda89c4c792fa8355ef6/bgb.png)
ADJUSTING TOP TENSIONS
Probably the most important control on your machine is this one that regulates your
top thread tension. It consists of discs between which the thread passes. The
pressure on these discs is regulated by turning the dial. The higher the number, the
tighter the tension.
There are many reasons for having to reset your tension. The best tension for one
fabric may not be correct for another. The required tension depends upon the
stiffness of the fabric, thickness of the fabric, numbers of layers of fabric being
sewn, as well as the type of stitch you are making.
it isbest to test the stitching on a scrap of the fabric you are using before starting to
make a garment as shown below. Use the straight stitch function.
Upper thread too tight
0
0 Upper thread too loose
Decrease Tension
Increase Tension
![](/html/04/0491/0491046a7f15150176bacbce4cb110d21d30fd9338d2bda89c4c792fa8355ef6/bgc.png)
ADJUSTING BOBBIN TENSIONS
Bobbin tension requires adjusting less frequently than the upper thread
tension.
If the stitch is satisfactory but the seam is puckered, it may be necessary to
loosen the tension on both the top and bottom threads. Be sure to balance
them as indicated on Page 10.
When adjusting the tension on the bobbin case, make slight adjustments with
a screwdriver.
DECREASE TENSION
_. Turn Counter Clockwise.
INCREASE TENSION
Turn Clockwise.
11
![](/html/04/0491/0491046a7f15150176bacbce4cb110d21d30fd9338d2bda89c4c792fa8355ef6/bgd.png)
CHECKING TENSIONS
The easiest way to check tensions is to sew a medium zig zag stitch on the
fabric you will be using. Use the appropriate type of thread and needle.
Use different colors of thread on the bobbin and upper spool.
Sew a line of zig zag stitches The bobbin thread should not snow on the
top of the fabric.
Adjust the top tension if necessary to achieve the stitch balance mentioned
above
UNBALANCED BALANCED
1'3
TOP VIEW
![](/html/04/0491/0491046a7f15150176bacbce4cb110d21d30fd9338d2bda89c4c792fa8355ef6/bge.png)
STITCH WIDTH CONTROL
This control regulates the width of the
stitch you select. THE HIGHER THE
NUMBER*THE WIDER THE STITCH.
You may vary your zigzag stitch width
by adjusting this control to the setting
you desire.
This control must be on Red Dot in
order to do straight stitching. Turn only
the outer rim of this control to set the
stitch width. The center of the control
dials the special stitches the machine is
capable of sewing.
STITCH LENGTH CONTROL
The stitch length control regulates the
length of the stitch you select. THE
HIGHER THE NUMBER-THE SHORTER
THE STITCH.
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 IQnger_stiich setting should be used
for thicker fabric or more layers of fabric.
The middle range of the control is the
10-12 stitchper inch range which is the
most commonly used.
A basting stitch is made by using the
longest possible stitch setting -6 stitches
per inch. The red marking ,=,= on the
control is the setting used for the
shortest stitches such as in Satin
Stitching.
13
![](/html/04/0491/0491046a7f15150176bacbce4cb110d21d30fd9338d2bda89c4c792fa8355ef6/bgf.png)
REVERSE STITCH CONTROL':
Itis 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
preventsrave!ing. _ : • _ :_:
When reverse stitching is needed, turn
the control clockwise and: hold_ there
dur!ng sewing, The fabric w!ll..imme-
diately sta[t feeding backwards and
seam will be fastened .....
SPECIAL STITCH MODIFIER
This control gives you the means of
varying the stitches on the Special
Stitch Dial, When the pointer: is turned
to the Red Dot, the machine sews
forward only, When the pointer is
turned to the White Dot, the forward
designs are varied by the machine
sewing in a forward and reverse
manner. Carefully read directions given
in the next section of the book in order
to accomplish the various stitches
correctly.
BUTTONHOLE CONTROL
(Model 1625 only)
This control is used in making button-
holes. Detailed instructions are given in
the next section of the book.