Kenmore 385.16231 User Manual

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
When using an electrical appliance, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the following:
Read all instructions before using this appliance
DANGER - To reduce the risk of electric shock:
1. An appliance should never be left unattended when plugged in_Always unplug this sewing machine from the electric
outlet immediately after using and before cleaning.
2. Always unplug before replacing a sewing machine bulb Replace bulb with same type rated 5 Watts
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 sewing machine is used by or near children.
2 Use this appliance only for its intended use as described in this owner's manual
Use only attachments recommended by the manufacturer as contained in this owner's manual
3 Never operate this sewing machine 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 this sewing machine to the nearest Sears store or service center for examination, repair, electrical or mechanical
adjustment
4. Never operate the appliance with any air opening blocked.. Keep ventitation openings of this 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 net 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 al! 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 net pull or push fabric while stitching It may deflect the needle causing it to break.
14_Switch this sewing machine oft ("O") when making any adjustment in the needle area, such as threading the needle,
changing the needle, threading the bobbin, changing the presser foot, and the like.
15..Always unplug this sewing machine from the electrical outlet when removing covers, lubricating, or when making any
other adjustments mentioned in this owner's manual.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Designs and specifications are subject to change without prior notice_

Kenmore 385.16231 Specifications

General

Brand	Kenmore
Model	385.16231
Type	Mechanical
Needle Type	15x1
Stitch Width	5mm
Stitch Length	4mm
Buttonhole Styles	1-step
Needle Threader	Yes
Mechanical	Yes
Top Loading Bobbin	Yes
Bobbin Type	Top Loading
Stitch Options	Straight, Zigzag
Presser Feet	Buttonhole
Speed Control	Variable

Summary

Important Safety Instructions

DANGER: Reduce Risk of Electric Shock

Instructions to reduce the risk of electric shock from the sewing machine.

WARNING: Reduce Risk of Injury

Precautions to prevent burns, fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.

Section II. Getting Ready to Sew

Connecting Machine to Power Supply

Steps to connect the sewing machine to the power source and outlet.

For Your Safety

Essential safety precautions to follow while operating the machine.

Machine Operating Buttons

Changing Needle

Needle clamp screw

Adjusting the screw that holds the needle in place.

Needle clamp

Presser Foot Types

Presser Foot Types (continued)

Selecting Needle and Fabric

WEIGHT

Classification of fabrics by weight for needle selection.

FABRIC

Types of fabrics categorized by weight.

TYPE OF NEEDLE

Recommended needle types for different fabrics.

NEEDLE SIZE

Corresponding needle sizes for various fabric weights.

Bobbin Winding

Horizontal spool pin

Additional spool pin

Inserting the bobbin

End of thread

Notch

Threading diagram

Threading the Machine

Threading the machine

Step-by-step guide for threading the upper thread through the machine.

Drawing up bobbin thread

Adjust the Needle Thread Tension for a Straight Stitch

Tension is too loose

Adjust the Needle Thread Tension for a Zigzag Stitch

Correct tension

Achieving ideal needle thread tension for zigzag stitches.

Tension is too tight

Recognizing and correcting overly tight needle thread tension for zigzag.

Tension is too loose

Identifying and correcting loose needle thread tension for zigzag.

Stitch Selector (how to select stitches)

Stitch Width Control

Stitch width control

Stitch Length Control

Stitch length control

SECTION III. Straight Stitch Sewing

Straight Stitch

Settings and procedures for sewing a straight stitch.

Starting to sew

Step-by-step guide to begin sewing a straight stitch.

Finishing sewing

How to fasten the end of a seam and prepare for the next.

Zipper Sewing

To snap on the zipper foot

Attaching the zipper foot to the machine.

Fabric preparation

Preparing fabric and zipper for sewing.

To sew

Step-by-step guide to sewing a zipper.

Zipper Sewing (Continued)

Zipper Sewing (Continued)

Completing the zipper sewing process and removing basting stitches.

SECTION IV. Zigzag Stitch Sewing

Basic Zigzag

Settings and usage for the basic zigzag stitch.

Button Sewing

Overcasting

SECTION V. Utility and Decorative Stitches

Blind Hem Stitch

Blind Hem Stitch

To sew

Overedge Stitch

Twin Needle Stitches (Option)

SECTION VI. Stretch Stitches

Straight Stretch

Settings and use for the straight stretch stitch.

Serging

Elastic Stretch Stitch

Elastic Stretch Stitch

SECTION VII. Buttonhole

Automatic Buttonhole

Settings and procedure for automatic buttonholes.

Preparation for sewing

Attaching the automatic buttonhole foot and preparing it.

Automatic Buttonhole (Continued)

Marked buttonhole on fabric

Marking the buttonhole position on the fabric.

Guide slot

Part of the attachment: guide slot.

To sew

Sewing automatic buttonholes with the attachment.

Center marking on buttonhole foot

Aligning the fabric with the buttonhole foot's center mark.

Guide block

Part of the attachment: guide block.

Measure marking on the guide plate

Aligning the fabric edge with the guide plate's measure mark.

Buttonhole guide plate

Part of the attachment: guide plate.

Fabric

Placing the fabric correctly behind the machine.

Buttonhole template

Part of the attachment: template.

Catch

Part of the attachment: catch.

Setting mark

Part of the attachment: setting mark.

Gear

Part of the attachment: gear.

Base plate

Part of the attachment: base plate.

Lever

Part of the attachment: lever.

Corded Buttonhole

Spur

Forks

Corded Buttonhole

Needle thread

Bobbin thread

Manual Buttonhole (Option)

To sew

Steps for sewing manual buttonholes.

Sew the front barrack and left row, then stop.

Sewing the first side and bartack of the manual buttonhole.

Click the buttonhole lever toward you

Moving the buttonhole lever for the next side.

Sew the back bartack and right row, then stop the machine at the starting point.

Sewing the second side and bartack of the manual buttonhole.

Automatic Buttonhole (Option)

Buttonhole style and size

Selecting buttonhole templates for different styles and sizes.

SECTION VIII. Care of Your Machine

Cleaning the Bobbin Holder

Cleaning the Shuttle Race and Feed Dogs

Needle plate

Bobbin holder

Feed dogs

Hook race

Oiling the Machine

Troubleshooting

The needle thread breaks.

Causes and solutions for needle thread breaking.

The bobbin thread breaks.

Causes and solutions for bobbin thread breaking.

The needle breaks.

Causes and solutions for needle breakage.

Skipped stitches

Causes and solutions for skipped stitches.

Seam puckering

Causes and solutions for seam puckering.

The cloth is not feeding smoothly.

Causes and solutions for fabric feeding issues.

The machine doesn't work.

Causes and solutions for machine malfunction.

Patterns are distorted.

Causes and solutions for distorted stitch patterns.

Noisy operation

Causes and solutions for noisy machine operation.