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From: chowmin
Date: 10-16-2004, 03:43 PM (1 of 13)
hi all new to the computer and site my question is the thread keeps breaking the material keeps getting court inthe machine ive tred to change tension went bought new gold bond machine neddles. and the machines is akenmore and i cant find this machine on any site t have had this machine for almost 5 years and the only thing iwas able toi make was cloths pin bag.please some one help me iam about to start sewing by hand and i really want to make thing that i and my family can wear iam now trying to make curtins please help thanks!!!!!! 
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User: chowmin
Member since: 10-16-2004 Total posts: 4 |
From: smith972
Date: 10-16-2004, 03:47 PM (2 of 13)
| I used to have that problem too...what i found was that my bobbin was wound incorrectly....ck the book and make sure it is wound correctly...also make sure you are inserting the bobbin in the holder correctly...let me know how it works out for you |
User: smith972
Member since: 09-10-2004 Total posts: 241 
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From: Sewhappie
Date: 10-16-2004, 09:03 PM (3 of 13)
| do you have have model # on it. I have a Kenmore machine, not crazy about it, I might be able to help. Have to check Sears.com ? |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: chowmin
Date: 10-18-2004, 09:33 AM (4 of 13)
i have to check the model #and ill get back to you thanks so much for your help and yes idid check the bobbin and it se ems to be new since i never really really got to accomplich something only thing like i said was cloths pin bag ill get back to you with the #again thank you so much' 
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User: chowmin
Member since: 10-16-2004 Total posts: 4 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 10-18-2004, 12:41 PM (5 of 13)
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Chowmin Try this.. My kenmore was notorious for trying to eat the material as I started a seam... but this works,, Hold the threads (machine and bobbin) tight as you start to sew the seam... You have to do this with the older kenmores or the threads will create a birds nest underneath and the fabric will get down in the hole in the throat plate.. Hold the threads tightly and after 5 or 10 stitches you can let it go... Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 10-18-2004, 09:57 PM (6 of 13)
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My Pfaff is the only machine I've ever sewn on that I don't have to hold the thread tails out behind the fabric to start sewing and sometimes, depending on the length of the thread tails and where they are positioned when I start sewing, even my Pfaff will get caught and make a bird nest on the underside of the fabric. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-18-2004, 11:57 PM (7 of 13)
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Get out your manual and follow the manual carefully. Rethread your machine from the spool. Be sure before you start that your presser foot is RAISED. The thread will not go easily into the tension disks unless the foot is raised when you thread it. Take your needle OUT. Check your manual. Most machines require that the flat part of the needle goes toward the back of the machine, however, some machines require the flat part to go to the right side. Be sure that you insert your needle all the way into the machine before you tighten it. It is critical that the needle be facing the correct way and that the needle be inserted all the way to assure the threads will be in position to "lock". Next, once again, rewind your bobbin. You don't have to throw away your old bobbin thread, just use it to feed thread onto a new bobbin (instead of using the spool.) On most machines, you pull the bobbin thread through a hole in the side of the bobbin. You hold onto the end of the thread as it is wound until the thread breaks. It should break back inside the metal bobbin. If it does not, the inside tail of the bobbin thread can become tangled when you start to sew and guess what? You have thread nests because the needle is trying to pick up two pieces of thread. Next, check your book and see if your bobbing goes into the holder clockwise or counter clockwise. I have two machines of the same brand, one goes one way, the other another way. Your machine probably has a little slit for the bobbin thread to go through and then it should feed under a little flat area that is actually a spring that controls your bobbin tension. You may have even bypassed this little spring in loading your thread which would also make nests. Quite often when I have had nests, it has been because I had an extra top or bobbin thread that fed back into the bobbin case. It may well be because, as others have stated, you let go of the thread or it may be left-over from winding the bobbin. You might even have a stray piece of thread in the bobbin case. Also, you can get this same thing if you start too close to the edge of the fabric when you start to sew. Hope there is something here that helps you out! Sewing is too much fun to give up. There is probably something quite simple that you are doing (or not doing) that is the problem. 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: 10-19-2004, 12:02 AM (8 of 13)
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Oh, one other thing, when you wind your bobbin, be sure that it goes through all the correct guides. There is probably a round guide that controls the amount of tension on the bobbin as it is wound. It makes sure that your bobbin thread feeds evenly onto the bobbin (like a spool of thread) often if it is not correctly engaged, the bobbin thread will not be tight enough on the spool and there may be more thread on the top or the bottom of the bobbin. When I go through this, I was always taught to go around the little button from front to back so the thread loops over itself as it feeds onto the bobbin.
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: chowmin
Date: 10-19-2004, 08:15 PM (9 of 13)
| the model # TO MY KENMORE MACHINE IS 385.17628 And itred to pull the thread like someone mention ed but i must have pulled to tight causethe thread broke ihave read the manual and i re threred iam at the point of looking to try and trade it it for a much newer on may be janome or one that is computerrized but i here there very expesive and now that i have read your helpfull hints iwill go and start allover again step by step thge way the book . thanks again . ill be back later to let you all know. |
User: chowmin
Member since: 10-16-2004 Total posts: 4 |
From: chowmin
Date: 10-19-2004, 08:19 PM (10 of 13)
| the model # TO MY KENMORE MACHINE IS 385.17628 And itred to pull the thread like someone mention ed but i must have pulled to tight causethe thread broke ihave read the manual and i re threred iam at the point of looking to try and trade it it for a much newer on may be janome or one that is computerrized but i here there very expesive and now that i have read your helpfull hints iwill go and start allover again step by step thge way the book . thanks again . ill be back later to let you all know. i really enjoy sewing and crocheting it relaxes me people how can youdo it but like i said it relaxes me ill get back latter after i go tackel the sewing machine one more time for tonite. |
User: chowmin
Member since: 10-16-2004 Total posts: 4 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-20-2004, 05:46 AM (11 of 13)
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Let us know how it works.
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: plrlegal
Date: 10-20-2004, 06:02 PM (12 of 13)
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Chowmin the Kenmore machine you have is made by Janome. All of the Kenmore machines with a 385 serial number are made by Janome for Sears. It really sounds like you have the thread tension set way too high or that the thread is catching on something. By the way, are you using a spool of thread that has the cut out in the side of the spool to keep the thread from unrolling off the spool when not in use. That is one of the reasons I have almost complete quit using Coat's & Clark thread is because of that stupid slit in one end that will catch your thread as is unwinds off the spool and creat a mess in your bobbin. Hopefully, if you take the thread off, start at the beginning with your manual and rethread, etc., your machine will work for you. I had a Kenmore machine for about 25 years and never had a problem with either one. My sister-in-law has the newest Kenmore that I had before DH bought the Pfaff for me that I now have. In fact, I'm considering selling my Singer Quantum 3400 (it's like brand new) and buy another Kenmore for a backup machine. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: Vicki
Date: 10-21-2004, 10:56 PM (13 of 13)
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I have a couple of suggestions. First, don't use Coats thread. It's really "linty" and sticky and rough and will screw up your tension discs in a hurry. I never have trouble when I use Mettler, or better yet, Gutterman. The more dye (darker colors) the rougher the thread (even the good stuff). Second, please use Schmetz needles. My old Kenmore HATED the Singer ones. And last, this has helped my friends before, take a soft cloth and floss it through the gap between your tension discs. It may simply be a piece of lint in there. Believe it or not, that little fuzz can cause major problems. If you do all the stuff the girls have said and are still having problems, you may really just need to take the machine in and have it adjusted. The timing may be slightly off! If you really can't get it to work, go to a real Janome (not Kenmore) dealer and buy you an inexpensive Janome, or watch ebay. I have never had a problem with any brand name Janome I have ever had! The Kenmore "Janomes" just ain't the same! Good luck and HANG IN THERE!!! |
User: Vicki
Member since: 11-20-2001 Total posts: 9 |
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