Vintage Kenmore sewing machines often last forever, given proper care. Learning how to troubleshoot your machine will keep it running for many decades to come! To get help, check out this Kenmore sewing machine troubleshooting and repair guide.
Kenmore sewing machine troubleshooting involves applying oil and untangling the thread path. Other common issues include a machine that won’t sew or will only sew in reverse. Kenmore machines may also encounter feed dog issues, zigzag trouble, or tension problems.
In this article, you will learn to troubleshoot ten issues on your Kenmore sewing machine. You will also find out how to get a Kenmore manual. Finally, you will find tips to keep your sewing machine from jamming.
Kenmore sewing machines had many different manufacturers but were all sold by Sears Roebuck, the iconic American company that introduced the mail-order catalog to the nation. Sears applied the Kenmore brand to many “badged” appliances that it bought pre-made from various manufacturers around the world.
American consumers knew and trusted Sears and valued the Kenmore brand because of that. That said, Kenmore sewing machines have varied in quality over the years, depending on what manufacturer produced a given model. Sears introduced sewing machines to its catalog way back in 1913 and continued to sell Kenmore-branded sewing machines until 2013!
In general, vintage Kenmore models have a decent reputation as budget sewing machines that run pretty well and last a long time. Any models made after 1970 may contain plastic or computerized parts that often do not hold up as well over time, though.
Though it’s difficult to find a complete inventory of every Kenmore model ever made, you can easily find information on the general timeline of manufacturers.
A company called White made most of the earliest Kenmore models. Then from 1950 through the 60s, Sears purchased machines made in Japan.
In the 1970s, Singer made a few badged Kenmore models. From that point on, a prominent Japanese company called Janome took over and manufactured Kenmore machines until 2013.
Sadly, Sears went bankrupt after 2013 and ended its sewing machine sales entirely. You can find many vintage Kenmore machines for sale today, but you will no longer see any new Kenmore sewing machines on store shelves!
Because most Kenmore sewing machines fall into the vintage category today, you will need to focus on vintage sewing machine troubleshooting techniques to keep these classics up and running.
Of course, Kenmore machines made by Janome between 1970 and 2013 may have more modern features as well. However, most sewers tend to gravitate to the solid-metal vintage Kenmores that still have a decent reputation as durable machines.
Though not all Kenmore machines have the same level of quality, it is true that most of the time, you can make simple fixes yourself! These vintage machines will not have that many big mechanical or electrical issues. That said, if you do open up your old Kenmore to find dilapidated wiring, you should probably take that as a sign that it’s time to seek professional help.
One more thing to keep in mind as you poke around inside your Kenmore machine is that, by and large, these models do not cost a lot. For that reason, you may feel safer risking making repairs yourself. If you break something, at least you did not ruin an expensive machine!
Nine times out of ten, though, you can apply one of these ten easy fixes yourself to solve the problem!
Your Kenmore sewing machine could refuse to sew for several different reasons. Go down this handy checklist and you can cross off possible causes one by one!
Incorrect threading will often cause the thread to tangle up beneath the fabric as you sew. This issue sometimes referred to as jamming or bird’s-nesting, will stall out your sewing machine!
This happens to all sewing machines and all sewers on occasion and is not an issue unique to Kenmore machines. The good news is, you can easily resolve the issue following these steps!
Thread can break while you sew for multiple different reasons. You will find the most likely causes listed at the top of this checklist. If the common cures don’t work, keep reading down the list to the less likely but still possible options!
Once again, you may find a variety of different causes for trouble with your bobbin thread.
Learning how to adjust tension settings on a vintage sewing machine may seem scary, but actually, it’s often easier than fixing tension on a modern machine! That said, zeroing in on just the right tension for each project often takes a bit of trial and error.
First of all, what exactly is sewing machine tension?
In simple terms, tension is the amount of pressure placed on the upper thread as it moves from the spool to the needle. Your sewing machine uses discs inside the arm of the machine to exert this force.
Higher tension adds more pressure on the thread and allows less thread through, creating tighter stitches. Lower tension allows the thread to flow more freely and makes looser stitches.
If you’re wondering what number should the tension be on your Kenmore sewing machine, there is no one right answer! The middle numbers–typically four and five–offer the average tension setting that usually works on cotton and midweight material.
That said, your machine will handle every type of fabric and thread in a slightly different manner. This means you may need a tighter or looser upper thread for each project you sew!
To narrow in on that number as you start a project, follow these simple steps:
As a pro tip, you should also thoroughly clean the thread path and tensions discs by running a clean piece of thread through to make sure a bit of old thread or dust is not causing your tension trouble!
If you bought an old Kenmore sewing machine, you will very likely need to clean up the feed dogs to get them moving correctly. Feed dogs look like small metal teeth that slide the fabric beneath the needle.
You may encounter several different feed dog problems.
Even quite old Kenmore sewing machines usually have a reverse function. In some instances, your machine may refuse to stitch in reverse. You could also find that the reverse lever or button gets stuck, and your machine will only sew backward!
This is an issue you mostly see in vintage machines, and even then, it tends to happen in machines that have not received proper care and maintenance rather than well-oiled, carefully cleaned models.
If this happens to your Kenmore, you can try a couple of fixes before taking it into a shop.
First, remove the reverse button or lever and find the spring behind it. If the spring looks jammed down so that the coils all contract, see if you can wiggle it loose or reposition it.
Second, take off the cover of the machine and clean the gears behind the reverse lever. Sometimes old grease or gunk gets in there and solidifies, freezing all the moving parts!
You may also run into trouble when trying to zigzag stitch on your Kenmore machine.
Not all vintage Kenmore models will have a zigzag stitch option. Midcentury models will probably have zigzag and other stitching options but may require you to insert plastic discs called cams to make these stitches. Of course, more modern machines have automated zigzag stitches!
But what do you do if the machine will not zigzag?
Several issues can lead to loose stitches as you use your Kenmore sewing machine.
Most vintage Kenmore sewing machines have lots of moving metal parts inside that require regular lubrication.
As a word of caution, please read your sewing machine manual before embarking on this mission! The manual will tell you exactly what to oil. Also, make sure you always use sewing machine oil, not any other kind of lubricant!
Sometimes you will also need to read your owner’s manual to figure out how to get to the insides of the machine. For example, many Japanese-made 385 models have a hinge that opens up the casing on the end of the arm. This allows you to oil the gears and the tension disc area.
As a general rule of thumb, you will need to regularly apply a tiny drop of sewing machine oil to any moving part in your vintage machine!
The most common cause for jamming in a Kenmore sewing machine is incorrect threading. After that, the second most likely culprit is incorrect upper tension settings.
In some rare instances, you might find that the motor has died or stalled and that is why your machine seems jammed. Or you might have an issue with the handwheel. Sometimes old grease will solidify inside the handwheel gears, preventing it from turning.
Then again, really simple issues such as a bent needle or the wrong type of needle can also make your sewing machine jam up and refuse to sew!
Anytime you hear a loud noise or a grinding sound, stop sewing. Remove any stuck fabric or thread tangles from beneath the presser foot.
Then turn off your machine, rethread it, and replace the needle for good measure. Quite often, that will take care of the jam!
You can use many basic sewing machine troubleshooting techniques on a Kenmore 385 model.
Kenmore sewing machines that have a model number starting with “385” were made by Janome anytime between 1965 and 2013. The famous 12 stitch model probably came from the 1990s.
Some of these models have a great reputation, especially the earlier ones that still contain solid metal parts! Later models made in the 1980s and 90s tend to use cheap plastic parts or computer components that we now consider antiquated.
All of that goes to say that troubleshooting a Kenmore 385 model can vary wildly depending on when the machine was made. As explained earlier in this article, most 385 models will experience the occasional problem with threading, tension, or bobbins.
If you do find an earlier computerized Kenmore, you may want to pass on it. These models will not hold up as well over time and will require expert knowledge of wiring and old computer boards to keep them running!
Your Kenmore sewing machine originally came with an owner’s manual that offered setup and repair tips for the user. Since many Kenmore machines have reached a ripe old age, they might not all have that original document! There’s good news and bad news on finding a manual for your Kenmore sewing machine.
First, Sears does not offer them for free through the company website. You can find this limited “repair guide” for free, though!
However, if you specifically need, say, a Kenmore 385 sewing machine manual, you can try two different tactics.
First, you can purchase pretty much any sewing machine manual online these days. Try Etsy or sewusa.com. You can also purchase some booklets from Sears here.
Second, if you want to track down a free manual, try joining an online sewing forum. The sewers who join to discuss old sewing machines often post manuals they come across. Sewers love to help each other out!
Finding replacement parts and accessories for vintage Kenmore models grows more difficult each year. You can still often find parts online through Etsy and eBay. Sometimes a vintage sewing machine repair shop near you might have the parts in stock, as well.
That said, when Sears stopped selling Kenmore sewing machines, they started to fade away. Some sewing enthusiasts make it a habit to snatch up old Kenmore sewing machines found at yard sales or flea markets just to get the parts out of them!
Since Kenmore machines never became collectible and didn’t usually rank as high-end models, they sell cheaply. You can often find vintage Kenmore sewing machines for sale for under $100.
Sears sold sewing machines under the Kenmore brand for many years but no longer offers new Kenmore models. Because most Kenmore models are now quite old, you will have to use vintage sewing machine techniques to troubleshoot them. These techniques include knowing how to oil your machine and finding appropriate parts and bobbins.
Using any sewing machine also means troubleshooting common issues such as tension settings and thread tangles. You may also need to adjust the feed dogs or fix the bobbin thread.
Do you have an old Kenmore sewing machine? What kind of sewing have you done on it? Leave a comment below to let us know!
Written By: Tania
I'm a sewing enthusiast, and the founder and chief editor here at Silver Bobbin.
Growing up, I loved to explore fabrics and textures, and always had a project in the works.
I enjoy teaching others about my passion. From beginner tutorials to in-depth guides, there's something here for everyone.
Monday 15th of May 2023
Thank you for your in depth tips and tricks. They are well explained. I will review again as I move along with the issues I’m having on this vintage 148-121. It’s probably more me, than the machine.
