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From: REDSTU1
Date: 07-17-2004, 11:05 PM (1 of 8)
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I am so happy I just recieved a sewing machine. I got it from a friend the machine was built in 1970 it is a Kenmore by sears. I do have the instruction book but for the life of me I can't figure something out. When I sew a line for some reason the stitches look a little slanted. The machine does have an area that you can open the lid and then add a wheel to make fancy stitches. I took the weel out. When I had the upper tension wheel set on S it seeemed worse. Any ideas? Two things I did notice 1.you can choose where you want the needle right, left , or center mine is on center. 2. you can choose the thread guild just above the needle to the left or right mine is on the left. Any ideas as to what the problem is. I tried changing the tension dials and then sewing but it still doesn't look right. The machine has been well taken care of. I just cleaned it all and used machine oil on it. Maybe I did something wrong. thank you for any suggestions.
Lori
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User: REDSTU1
Member since: 07-17-2004 Total posts: 17 
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From: paroper
Date: 07-18-2004, 04:17 AM (2 of 8)
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That is the first machine my husband bought me! I absolutely loved it. I have since learned that it was probably made by White. I took mine in to Sears to have the machine cleaned and the thread take-up lever was broken while there. They wouldn't do anything to help me and I finally found someone who would weld the lever, but it never kept the tension right again. I was so upset I never touched it again. I don't remember a whole lot about the machine now but I don't think you have to have a cam to sew with the machine and I don't think that I left one in it. It seems that there may be a cam setting on the machine to make it sew cams. The cams have cut shapes around them and the edges guide the machine through the patterns. I remember there were double cams and single cams. The needles were not standard size. I always bought the Sears needles for everything. When I bought my Bernina the Sears needle did not sew correctly in the Bernina and I figured out that they were different lengths. I never had a chance to try the Bernina needle in the Kenmore, but the Bernina is a standard size. If your machine were mine and I was satisfied that I had made all the corrections to the machine I could, I don't know that I would worry about the slope of the seam...that is as long as it looked like a firm balanced row of stitching that wouldn't tear out and if I could figure out how to judge the seam allowances. Most people never see your seams. There is always a possiblity that something that has been bent, but is probable that there is something turned on that needs to be turned off, esp. given the way the machine works with the cams. It sounds like the last thing the other owner did was decorative. It is my guess that the machine is set for that. Once in a while you see manuals for these on E-bay. If you don't have one, you might be able to get one there, or order one though Sears you might also look at old White manuals. Sears had the machines made to their specs though so there may not be a companion White. I have my manual but it is put away and I don't exactly knwo where it is.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: paroper
Date: 07-18-2004, 04:27 AM (3 of 8)
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I reread your post and saw that you had the manual. Good deal! I forgot to mention that I think that to do double thread in that machine you use two needles, not a twin needle. One needle goes right and one left. The guides split your threads when you are sewing double needle. If you are using single, you can use either guide. In some machines you move the needle over to insert zippers depending on which side of the zipper you sew first. I can't remember if this is one of those. When you change the needle be sure you check which way it came out of the machine because I was thinking that the direction of the needle might be a little different on this machine. It may just be that it was different from my Mom's old machine though. I know that you'll just love this machine. It took me a long time to find a machine that I thought was even close to its quality! pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: MaryW
Date: 07-18-2004, 07:37 AM (4 of 8)
Hi REDSTU1, welcome to Sew Whats New. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: REDSTU1
Date: 07-18-2004, 04:28 PM (5 of 8)
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Thank you Mary for the hello. I will have to look closer at the cam issue. I know there was one in the machine when I cleaned it. I took the cam out. I will have to look at the instruction book closer to see if there is a way to shut the cam pattern off. My seems just don't seem that strong. I also have a singer that another lady gave me it is basic but works great. the seem's from the singer are straight and strong but the Kinmore, the sem's just don't seem right. I guess the best way to figure it out is to just read the instruction mannual and just keep trying. I like the Kenmore because I think it has a lot of options. The lady included the box of cams, and a button guild not sure how to use it yet but I think once I get use to it I will love the machine. When I sew on it the motor sounds great the lady took very good care of it. Maybe you could help me with another question. the singer machine, when I sew it almost sounds like the needle might break(a noise every once in awhile) I notice the noise before I oiled the machine. The singer wasn't taken good care of it was stored in a garage. Do I need to change the needle every time I sew if I am using a different type of fabric? Boy I could be changing needles all the time. I think I have to learn more about the tension knobs. Sorry this post was so long. I haven't sewn in about 18 years since high school. Thank you lori
Lori
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User: REDSTU1
Member since: 07-17-2004 Total posts: 17
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From: paroper
Date: 07-18-2004, 06:16 PM (6 of 8)
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No, you really shouldn't have to change the needles every time you sew. I don't change as often as most people. When the needle is dull it makes a little hollow thumpy noise as it sews. If you sew over pins (as I do) you probably need to change more often. 'When you hit a pin it takes little nicks out of the needle. If you look at it closely, it won't be dull, it will be broken. On the other hand, the weight of your needle should match the weight of your fabric. If you go from a very heavy fabric like denium to a light weight cotton or something, you should trade the needle. You don't have to throw it away unless it is bad. You do need to have a system for marking your needles so you know which ones have been used...be it a little nail polish on the shaft or putting them in a special "used" container with markings for the size of the needle. There are all kinds of specialty needles too...for denium, universal, sharps, ball point...all kinds depending on the type of fabrics you sew. Unplug your machine. If the face plate comes of (most do), take it off and really brush, vaccum, blow or whatever to get lint out from under the cover. Also, if the bobbin case lifts out, take it out and clean around it. Check the book to make sure that you have used sewing machine oil on all the right spots. Lint can really pack inside your machine and interfere with your sewing. (I had my serger cleaned a few weeks ago and the entire inside was packed in lint. All of it was in places where I could not clean or see. That lint works like a wick and draws the oil away from the machine.) While you have the plate off, check for burrs on the plate and make sure that it is in good shape. Any of those things could be the problem with your sound. Also, make sure that the needle is all the way in and facing the direction recommended in your sewing machine manual.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: MartySews
Date: 07-18-2004, 07:12 PM (7 of 8)
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On my old Kenmore, it had to be set on zero for regular stitching and S for decorative stitching. Sounds as if you're sewing a feather stitch (slanted zigzag) with the machine set on S. My machine used cams but I never did get the hang of them. I kept it for 30 years sewing almost anything that could be sewn. When some contractors were working on the house, they took the machine out of the cabinet to move it and broke the housing. That led to my new (to me) Pfaff 7570 and I haven't looked back. I did rescue an older model Kenmore from a thrift store and use it with the cams when there are thunderstorms in the area. It does a great job. I think you have a keeper there. Just keep practicing. If there is a sewing guild in your area, run don't walk to their next meeting. More than likely there is someone who can help you brush up on your skills. Happy Stitching! Marty 
It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
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From: REDSTU1
Date: 07-19-2004, 06:36 PM (8 of 8)
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Thank you so much for your replies!!!!! I thought S was for straight ha ha no really I did. I will have to look at the machine again just to see what my options are. Thank you Lori
Lori
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User: REDSTU1
Member since: 07-17-2004 Total posts: 17
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