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._	Serial No..
Retain these numbers for future reference.

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

IMPORTANT SAFETY

INSTRUCTIONS

Your sewing machine is	designed and constructed only for HOUSEHOLD use.
Read all instruction before using this sewing machine.
DANGER	■ To reduce the risk of electric shock:

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

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..........................................................................................	5
•	Setting Spool Pins..........................................................................................	6
• Adjust the Presser Foot Lever......................................................................		6
•	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............................................		8
Prepare the Bobbin.........................................................................................		9~10
® To Remove the Bobbin Case from the Machine ...........................................		9
e Wind the Bobbin .........................................................................................		9~10
® Insert the Bobbin into the Bobbin Case.......................................................		10
Prepare the Top Thread................................................................................		11~12
» Thread the Needle .........................................................................................		11
® Pick Up the Bobbin Thread .........................................................................		12
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
SECTION 3. LEARN THE STITCHES
Straight Stitches.............................................................................................		18~22
•	Straight Stitch.............................................................................................	18
® Use the Seam Guides....................................................................................		18
® Turn a Square Corner..................................................................................		18
® Topstitching.....................................................................................................		19
® Left Needle Position .................................................................................		. 19
® Sew in a Zipper ....................................................................................		20~21

®	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 ............................................................................................	29
	Shell Stitching...............................................................................................	30
	Box Stitching.................................................................................................	30
Stretch Stitches (Model 12614 only) .............................................................		31~33
	Straight Stretch............................................................................................	31
	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 .................................................................................		38—39
• 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
PARTS LIST....................................................................................................................		41
INDEX ................................................................................................................		42

2

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.

SECTION 1. KNOW THE MACHINE

Locate and Identify the Parts

Take-up Lever

Upper Thread Guide

Thread Spool Pins

SECTION 1. KNOW THE MACHINE

Identify the Accessories

Arm Cover Plate

Carrying Handle

Bobbin

Needle set

Buttonhole opener

Large screw driver

Sliding buttonhole foot

Zipper foot

Straight stitch foot

Small screw driver

Satin stitch foot

SECTION 2. PREPARE THE MACHINE FOR SEWING

Set Up the Machine

• Plug in the Machine and Switch on the Power

® Foot Control Use

SAFETY FEATURE:

Your machine will

not

operate

unless

the

machine,

be

sure

the

power

switch

light/power

switch

is

turned

on.

If

you

are

is

or

stop

sewing,

turn

off

the

OFF.

interrupted

light/power

switch

to

prevent

injury

to

1.

Check

your outlet to

be sure it

is

a

110

to

children.

120

Volt AC outlet,

2.

Insert

the

machine plug

into

the

three-prong

plug connector,

as

shown.

It

will

only

fit

one

way.

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.

3.Insert the power supply plug into the outlet.

SECTION 2. PREPARE THE MACHINE FOR SEWING

» Setting Spool Pin

» Adjust the Presser Foot Lever

• Thread Cutter

The	spool		pins	are	used	for	holding	the
spools of		thread		when feeding thread to the
machine.
To	use,	pull	up	the	spool	pins.	Push	down

for storage.

NOTE: Model 11607 has one spool pin.

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.

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)			Choose the Needle and Thread
• Free-Arm Sewing: the Removable	• Accessory Storage Box	■ Change the Presser Foot	• To Change the Needle
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.

box lifts open toward you.

Sewing	accessories	are	conveni­
ently located in the box.

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.

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

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.

•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.

® Fabric, Needle, Thread and Stitch Length Chart

		NEEDLE		RECOMMENDED
	FABRIC	SIZE AND	THREAD SIZE	STITCH LENGTH
		COLOR		SETTING
	Lightweight:		Polyester Core/Cotton	2
	Batiste, Dimity, Chiffon,
			Wrap
	Silks, Fine Lace, Organza,	11-ORANGE		(12 stitches per
			Fine Mercerized Cotton
	Crepe, Taffeta, Voile,			inch)
			Silk A
	Organdy
	Medium Weight:
	Cotton, Cotton Blend,		50 Mercerized Cotton	2-2.5
	Percale, Gingham,
			Polyester Core/Cotton
	Shantung, Pique,	14-RED		(10-12 stitches
			Wrap
	Seersucker, Satin, Knit,			per inch)
			Silk A
	Suitings, Linen,
	Wool Crepe, Leather
	Medium Heavy Weight:		50 Mercerized Cotton	2-3
	Corduroy, Denim, Wool,	14-RED	Mercerized Heavy-Duty
	Sailcloth, Wool Flannel,	or	Polyester Core/Cotton	(8-10 stitches
	Gabardine, Velvet,	16-PURPLE	Wrap	per inch)
	Leather		Silk A
	Heavy Weight:		Heavy Duty Mercerized	3
			Cotton
	Coating, Upholstery
		18-GREEN	Polyester Core/Cotton	(8 stitches per
	Cotton Duck, Heavy
			Wrap	inch)
	Twills, Canvas
			Silk A
	Decorative top-stitching	16-PURPLE	Buttonhole Twist	3-4
				(6-8 stitches
	on all types of fabric	18-GREEN	(Use as top thread only)
				per inch)
	Stretch Fabric:	11-BLUE	Polyester Core/Cotton	2-2.5
	Polyester Double Knit,
		(STRETCH
	Nylon Tricot, Jersey,		Wrap	(10-12 stitches
		FABRIC
	Stretch Terry, Spandex,		50 Mercerized Cotton	per inch)
		NEEDLE)
	Ciré Tricot

8

SECTION 2. PREPARE THE MACHINE FOR SEWING

Prepare the Bobbin

• To Remove the Bobbin Case from the Machine

Wind the Bobbin

moving	while you wind the
bobbin.

	the machine		by	pulling	it	to	the tie, pull open latch of bobbin case.
	left.	Open	the	shuttle	cover		by	Pull bobbin case straight out of
	pulling	down	the	embossed		part	on
								shuttle.
	the left side of the cover.
	Raise	needle	to	its highest		position
	by rotating hand wheel toward you.

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.

inches of thread from bobbin.

SECTION 2. PREPARE THE MACHINE FOR SEWING

• Wind the Bobbin (Continued)

bobbin winding tension disc as shown. bobbin as shown.

spindle

with

end

of

thread

coming

Push

bobbin

winding

spindle to the

from

the

top

of

the

bobbin.

Push

left

and clip

thread.

Remove

bobbin.

bobbin

winding

spindle

to

the

right

Turn

clutch

knob

away

from

you

until

it

clicks.

Holding

onto

end of

while

holding

hand

wheel

for

normal

thread,

start machine. When bobbin is

sewing operation.

slightly filled, snip off end of thread.

Insert the Bobbin into the Bobbin Case r

Place	bobbin	in	bobbin	case	Pull thread through slot of case	Pull thread under tension
making	sure	thread	feeds	clock­	as shown.	spring and through the opening
wise	and	is	coming	from		as shown above. Pull 3 to 4

bobbin as shown.

Holding	latch	open,	position	Case	should	lock	into	place
case into	shuttle	and	release	when latch is released.
latch.

10

SECTION 2. PREPARE THE MACHINE FOR SEWING

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.

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.

11

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.

12