Kenmore 385.11607 User Manual

OWNER'S MANUAL

SEWING MACHINE

MODELS 385. 11607

385. 12614

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO.

Dear Customer:

You have just invested in a very fine zigzag sewing machine. Before using your new Kenmore machine, please pause for a moment and carefully read this booklet which contains instructions on how to operate and care for your machine.

Specific instructions are given on threading, tension adjustments, cleaning, oiling, etc. This will help you obtain the best sewing results and avoid unnecessary service expense for conditions beyond our control.

Advice on the operation and care of your machine is always available at your nearest Sears Retail Store. Please remember, if you have questions about your machine or need parts and service, always mention the model number and serial number when you inquire.

Kenmore Sewing Machine

Record in space provided below the model number and serial

number of this appliance. The model number and serial number are located on the nomenclature plate, as identified on Page 4 of this booklet.

Model No. 385._ Retain these numbers for future reference.

THIS MODEL IS A CENTER NEEDLE, LOW BAR SEWING MACHINE.

Serial No..

IMPORTANT SAFETY

INSTRUCTIONS

Your sewing machine is designed and constructed only for HOUSEHOLD use.

Read all instruction before using this sewing machine.

DANGER

An appliance should never be left unattended when plugged in. Always

unplug this appliance from the electric outlet immediately after using and before cleaning.

2. Always unplug before relamping. Replace bulb with same type rated 15 Watts.

3. Do not reach for the appliance that has fallen into water. Unplug

immediately.

4. Do not place or store appliance where it can fall or be pulled into a tub

or sink. Do not place in or drop into water or other liquid.

WARNING

or injury to persons.

1. Do not allow to be used as a toy. Close attention is necessary when this appliance is used by or near children.

2. Use this appliance only for its intended use as described in this manual. Use only attachments recommended by the manufacturer as contained in this manual.

3. Never operate this appliance if it has a damaged cord or plug, if it is not working properly, if it has been dropped or damaged, or dropped into water. Return the appliance to the nearest authorized dealer or service center for examination, repair, electrical or mechanical adjustment.

■ To reduce the risk of electric shock:

■To reduce the risk of burns, fire, electric shock.

4. Never operate the appliance with any air opening blocked. Keep ventilation openings of the sewing machine and foot controller free from

accumulation of lint, dust, and loose cloth.

5. Never drop or insert any object into any opening.

6. Do not use outdoors.

7. Do not operate where aerosol (spray) products are being used or where oxygen is being administered.

8. To disconnect, turn all controls to the off (“O") position, then remove plug from outlet.

9. Do not unplug by pulling on cord. To unplug, grasp the plug, not the cord.

10. Keep fingers away from all moving parts. Special care is required around the sewing machine needle.

11. Always use the proper needle plate. The wrong plate can cause the

needle to break.

12. Do not use bent needles.

13. Do not pull or push fabric while stitching.

It may deflect the needle causing it to break.

14. Switch the sewing machine off ("O") when making any adjustment in the needle area, such as threading needle, changing needle, threading

bobbin, or changing presser foot, and the like.

15. Always unplug the sewing machine from the electrical outlet when

removing covers, lubricating, or when making any other adjustments mentioned in the instruction manual.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1.

KNOW THE MACHINE

A Portable Case or Cabinet is Avaialble............................................................. 3

Locate and Identify the Parts........................................................................ 3~4

Identify the Accessories........................................................................................4

SECTION 2. PREPARE THE MACHINE FOR SEWING

Set Up the Machine.......................................................................................... 5~7

» Plug in the Machine and Switch on the Power ............................................... 5

• Foot Control Use.....................................................................

• Setting Spool Pins.......................................................................................... 6

• Adjust the Presser Foot Lever

• Thread Cutter ................................................................................................. 6

• Free Arm Sewing: the Removable Extension Table ... 7

® Accessories Storage Box.................................................................................. 7

» Change the Presser Foot................................................................................. 7

Choose the Needle and Thread ...................................................................... 7~8

® To Change the Needle...................................................................................... 7

• Check the Needle........................................................................................... 8

® Fabric, Needle, Thread and Stitch Length Chart

Prepare the Bobbin......................................................................................... 9~10

® To Remove the Bobbin Case from the Machine e Wind the Bobbin ® Insert the Bobbin into the Bobbin Case

Prepare the Top Thread................................................................................11~12

» Thread the Needle ......................................................................................... 11

® Pick Up the Bobbin Thread

Adjust the Top Thread Tension.....................................................................13~14

Reverse Stitch Control........................................................................................ 14

Stitch Selector................................................................................................... 15

Stitch Length Control.......................................................................................... 16

Adjusting Stretch Stitch Balance (Model 12614 only) ... 16

Starting To Sew................................................................................................. 17

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......................................................................

.........................................................................

SECTION 3. LEARN THE STITCHES

Straight Stitches.............................................................................................18~22

• Straight Stitch

® Use the Seam Guides.................................................................................... 18

® Turn a Square Corner.................................................................................. 18

® Topstitching..................................................................................................... 19

® Left Needle Position

® Sew in a Zipper

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...

20~21

9~10

. 19

® Use the Darning Plate.................................................................................. 22

* Darning ........................................................................................................ 22

Zigzag Stitches..............................................................................................23~30

Basic Zigzag................................................................................................. 23

Satin Stitch.................................................................................................... 24

Applique....................................................................................................... 25

Bar Tacking................................................................................................... 25

Sew a Button................................................................................................. 26

Overcasting Stitch......................................................................................... 27

Three-Step Zigzag........................................................................................ 28

Lace Work..................................................................................................... 28

Blind Hemming

Shell Stitching............................................................................................... 30

Box Stitching................................................................................................. 30

Stretch Stitches (Model 12614 only) .............................................................31~33

Straight Stretch

Rick-Ruck Stretch ....................................................................................... 31

Smocking...................................................................................................... 32

Overcast Stretch Stitching ........................................................................... 32

Serging or Pine Leaf Stretch Stitching......................................................... 33

» Elastic Stretch Stitch.................................................................................... 33

Buttonholes....................................................................................................34~35

............................................................................................

SECTION 4. PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS CHART

What to Do When

36-37

SECTION 5. CARE FOR THE MACHINE

Replacing the Light Bulb..................................................................................... 38

Cleaning the Machine

• Clean the Feed Dogs........................................................................................ 38

® Clean the Shuttle Race .................................................................................. 39

Oiling the Machine.............................................................................................. 40

» Oil behind the Face Cover Plate and Under

Arm Cover Plate............................................................................................ 40

® Oil the Underside............................................................................................. 40

.................................................................................

38—39

PARTS LIST.................................................................................................................... 41

INDEX ................................................................................................................ 42

SECTION 1. KNOW THE MACHINE

A Portable Case or Cabinet is Available

A full line of sewing cabinets is available at your nearest Sears retail store or through our general

catalog. Another option . . . buy a Carrying Case . . . then your Kenmore goes anywhere, can be stored any where.

Locate and Identify the Parts

Take-up Lever

Upper Thread Guide

Thread Spool Pins

SECTION 1. KNOW THE MACHINE

Arm Cover Plate

Identify the Accessories

Carrying Handle

Bobbin

Needle set

Sliding buttonhole foot

Zipper foot

Straight stitch foot

Buttonhole opener

Large screw driver

Small screw driver

Satin stitch foot

Set Up the Machine

• Plug in the Machine and Switch on the Power

machine, be sure the power switch is OFF.

1. Check your outlet to be sure it is a 110 to 120 Volt AC outlet,

2. Insert the machine plug into the three-prong plug connector, as shown. It will only fit one way.

3. Insert the power supply plug into the outlet.

SECTION 2. PREPARE THE MACHINE FOR SEWING

SAFETY FEATURE: Your machine will not operate unless the

light/power switch is turned on. If you are interrupted or stop sewing, turn off the light/power switch to prevent injury to

children.

® Foot Control Use

which you sew. To increase speed, gently press down with

the ball of your foot. To decrease speed, release your foot pres

sure slightly.

NOTE: The foot control is sensitive and

will increase or decrease your sewing speed immediately. Practice on a scrap of fabric to

regulate your sewing speed to

your taste and needs.

SECTION 2. PREPARE THE MACHINE FOR SEWING

» Setting Spool Pin

The spool pins spools of thread machine.

To use, pull up the spool pins. Push down

for storage.

NOTE: Model 11607 has one spool pin.

are used for holding the

when feeding thread to the

» Adjust the Presser Foot Lever

The Presser Foot Lever raises and lowers your presser foot.

You can raise it about 1 /4" higher than the normal up position for easy removal of the presser foot or to help you place heavy fabrics under the presser foot.

• Thread Cutter

You don't need a pair of scissors to cut the thread after you finish sewing. Just use the handy thread cutter.

Pull the threads to lengthen several inches before starting the next seam.

SECTION 2. PREPARE THE MACHINE FOR SEWING

Set Up the Machine (Continued)

• Free-Arm Sewing: the Removable Extension Table

(for free-arm sewing)

1. Grip the table with your index finger

and thumb, as shown.

2. Pull gently to the left. The extension table will snap out.

To Attach the Extension Table

(for flat-bed sewing)

1. Insert the tab and the pin into their catches.

2. With your thumb and index finger, gently snap in.

• Accessory Storage Box

box lifts open toward you. Sewing accessories are conveni

ently located in the box.

■ Change the Presser Foot

the stitch you wish to sew.

To change the various presser feet, raise the presser bar to its

highest position by lifting the presser foot lever.

Loosen the presser foot thumb

screw, choose the proper foot,

insert from the bottom. Tighten the screw using the large screw driver to make certain the foot is secure.

Choose the Needle and Thread

• To Change the Needle

NOTE: Raise the needle bar to its highest

position by turning the hand wheel toward you.

1. Loosen the needle clamp screw by turning it toward you.

2. Remove the needle by pulling it down ward.

3. Insert the new needle into the needle clamp with the flat side away from you.

4. Push the needle up as far as it will go.

5. Tighten the needle clamp screw firmly with the large screwdriver from the

accessory box.

SECTION 2. PREPARE THE MACHINE FOR SEWING

® Fabric, Needle, Thread and Stitch Length Chart

Your choice of needle and thread depends on the fabric you are sewing.

In the needle envelope, you will find the following color-coded

needles:

Blue (11) .......................................for stretch fabrics.

Orange (11)...................................for lightweight fabrics.

Red (14)

........................................

for medium or medium-heavy

weight fabrics.

Purple (16)

....................................

for medium-heavy weight fabrics and decorative topstitching on these fabrics. (This needle has a larger thread hole for thicker topstitching thread.)

Green (18) ....................................for heavy weight fabrics and

decorative top-stitching on these fabrics.

Replacement Kenmore needles are available at your nearest Sears store.

FABRIC

Lightweight:

Batiste, Dimity, Chiffon, Silks, Fine Lace, Organza, Crepe, Taffeta, Voile, Organdy

Medium Weight:

Cotton, Cotton Blend, Percale, Gingham, Shantung, Pique, Seersucker, Satin, Knit, Suitings, Linen, Wool Crepe, Leather

Medium Heavy Weight:

Corduroy, Denim, Wool, Sailcloth, Wool Flannel, Gabardine, Velvet,

Leather

Heavy Weight:

Coating, Upholstery Cotton Duck, Heavy

Twills, Canvas

Decorative top-stitching on all types of fabric

Stretch Fabric:

Polyester Double Knit, Nylon Tricot, Jersey, Stretch Terry, Spandex, Ciré Tricot

NEEDLE

SIZE AND

COLOR

11-ORANGE

14-RED

16-PURPLE

18-GREEN

16-PURPLE

18-GREEN

11-BLUE

(STRETCH

FABRIC

NEEDLE)

THREAD SIZE

Polyester Core/Cotton Wrap

Fine Mercerized Cotton

Silk A

50 Mercerized Cotton Polyester Core/Cotton Wrap Silk A

50 Mercerized Cotton Mercerized Heavy-Duty Polyester Core/Cotton

Wrap

Silk A

Heavy Duty Mercerized

Cotton Polyester Core/Cotton Wrap Silk A

Buttonhole Twist (Use as top thread only)

Polyester Core/Cotton

Wrap 50 Mercerized Cotton

RECOMMENDED STITCH LENGTH

SETTING

2 (12 stitches per inch)

2-2.5 (10-12 stitches per inch)

2-3 (8-10 stitches per inch)

(8 stitches per inch)

3-4 (6-8 stitches

per inch)

2-2.5 (10-12 stitches per inch)

• Check the Needle

1. Look for barbed or blunt point.

2. A damaged needle can cause permanent snags or runs in knits, fine silks and silk-like fabrics.

Always buy a good quality thread. It should resist tangling and be strong, smooth and consistent in thickness.

Prepare the Bobbin

• To Remove the Bobbin Case from the Machine

SECTION 2. PREPARE THE MACHINE FOR SEWING

Wind the Bobbin

the machine by pulling it to the left. Open the shuttle cover by pulling down the embossed part on the left side of the cover.

Raise needle to its highest position

by rotating hand wheel toward you.

tie, pull open latch of bobbin case. Pull bobbin case straight out of

shuttle.

moving bobbin.

NOTE: The bobbin winder stopper can be adjusted for the amount of thread needed

on the bobbin (example 1/ 2 full or full etc.). To make the adjustment use your large screw driver and loosen the screw one turn or less. This will allow you to adjust the position of bobbin winder stopper. Do not take screw all the wayout.

while you wind the

SECTION 2. PREPARE THE MACHINE FOR SEWING

• Wind the Bobbin (Continued)

bobbin winding tension disc as shown. bobbin as shown.

Insert the Bobbin into the Bobbin Case

Place bobbin in bobbin case making sure thread feeds clock

wise and is coming from

bobbin as shown.

Pull thread through slot of case as shown.

spindle with end of thread coming from the top of the bobbin. Push

bobbin winding spindle to the right until it clicks. Holding onto end of thread, start machine. When bobbin is slightly filled, snip off end of thread.

Pull thread under tension spring and through the opening as shown above. Pull 3 to 4 inches of thread from bobbin.

Push bobbin winding spindle to the

left and clip thread. Remove bobbin. Turn clutch knob away from you while holding hand wheel for normal sewing operation.

Holding latch open, position case into shuttle and release latch.

Case should lock into place when latch is released.

Prepare the Top Thread

• Thread the Needle

The numbered steps above follow the numbers on the illustrations.

Dotted lines show places where the thread loops and then is pulled tight.

SECTION 2. PREPARE THE MACHINE FOR SEWING

2. While holding thread near spool, draw thread down into the tension area and then around the check spring holder.

3. Firmly draw thread up and through take-up lever from right to left.

4. Draw thread down and slip it into left side needle bar thread guide.

5. Thread needle from front to back.

NOTE: You may want to cut the end of thread with sharp scissors for easier needle threading.

SECTION 2. PREPARE THE MACHINE FOR SEWING

• Pick Up the Bobbin Thread

handwheel toward you one complete turn.

If you cannot pick up bobbin thread by following steps given above, then check;

1. Is needle threaded from front to back?

2. Is thread tangled around needle?

3. Are 3 to 4 inches of thread coming from the shuttle?

4. Is thread from shuttle tangled?

5. Is bobbin properly installed in the bobbin case?

6. Is the machine threaded according to the instructions?

back of the presser foot, leaving 4 to 6 inches of thread clear.

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