Threading the Machine and Preparing to Sew

Before you sew anything, your Kenmore machine needs thread in the needle and bobbin. Start with the presser foot up—this opens the tension discs so thread can pass through. Raise the needle to its highest point by turning the handwheel toward you, then place a spool of thread on the spool pin at the top of the machine.

Guide the thread through the thread guide (the small hook or loop above the tension dial), then through the tension discs themselves. The thread should sit between these two metal discs with a slight click. Continue threading down through the needle guide and into the needle from front to back. The needle should be inserted with the flat side facing the correct direction for your model—check your manual, as this varies. Leave a 6-inch tail hanging below the needle.

For the bobbin, wind thread onto an empty bobbin using the bobbin winder on the side or top of your machine. Place the bobbin on the winder spindle, guide thread through the tension guide on the winder, and press the bobbin against the machine body. The machine will wind automatically when you press the foot pedal or start button. Once full, remove the bobbin and place it in the bobbin case under the needle plate, threading the tail through the bobbin case tension spring.

Key Takeaways

  • Thread must pass through the tension discs with the presser foot up, or stitches will be loose and uneven.
  • The needle goes in from front to back with the flat side facing the correct direction for your specific Kenmore model.
  • Bring the bobbin thread up by turning the handwheel once with the presser foot down, then pull both threads to the side before you start sewing.
  • Stitch length and width dials control how long each stitch is and how wide zigzag stitches are—start at the middle setting and adjust after testing on scrap fabric.
  • The presser foot must be down during sewing or the tension discs will not grip the thread, causing skipped stitches.

Bringing Up the Bobbin Thread

After threading the needle and inserting the bobbin, you need to bring the bobbin thread to the surface. Hold the needle thread loosely in your left hand. Turn the handwheel toward you one full rotation so the needle goes down and comes back up. This motion catches the bobbin thread and brings a loop to the surface.

Use a seam ripper or small hook to pull that loop up through the needle plate hole. You now have both the needle thread and bobbin thread above the plate. Pull both threads toward the back and to the side, away from the presser foot. This prevents them from tangling when you start sewing. Many machines have a thread guide or notch on the presser foot to hold these threads in place while you begin.

Setting Stitch Length, Width, and Tension

Kenmore machines have dials or buttons to control three things: stitch length, stitch width, and thread tension. Stitch length is measured in millimeters and controls how far the fabric moves forward with each stitch. A setting of 2.0 to 2.5 mm works for most everyday sewing on cotton or blends. Shorter stitches (1.0 to 1.5 mm) are used for seams that need strength, like on jeans or repairs. Longer stitches (3.0 to 4.0 mm) work for quilting or basting.

Stitch width applies mainly to zigzag and decorative stitches. For a straight stitch, keep the width at 0. For zigzag, start at 2.0 to 3.0 mm and adjust based on what you need. Tension controls how tightly the needle thread and bobbin thread lock together. Most Kenmore machines have a tension dial numbered 0 to 9, with 4 or 5 as the default middle setting. If your stitches look loose and loopy on top, increase tension slightly. If the bobbin thread shows on top, decrease tension. Always test on scrap fabric first.

Sewing a Straight Seam

Place two pieces of fabric under the presser foot with the edges aligned. Lower the presser foot by pressing the foot lever down. Position your hands on either side of the needle, holding the fabric gently but not pulling it. The machine feeds fabric automatically—your job is to guide, not force.

Press the foot pedal slowly to start. The needle will move up and down, and the feed dogs (the metal teeth under the presser foot) will move the fabric forward. Sew a few stitches, then stop and check that the stitch looks even on both sides. If the top thread is loose, increase tension by one number. If the bobbin thread shows on top, decrease tension by one number. Once the tension is correct, continue sewing at a steady pace. Most home sewers sew at a medium speed—fast enough to be efficient, slow enough to stay in control.

To end a seam, sew to the end of the fabric, then raise the needle to its highest point and lift the presser foot. Pull the fabric away gently. Leave a 4-inch thread tail for tying off or for the next seam. Many machines have a button to reverse stitch—press it at the start and end of a seam to lock the stitches and prevent unraveling.

Changing Needles and Troubleshooting Skipped Stitches

A bent, dull, or incorrectly inserted needle is the most common cause of skipped stitches. Raise the needle to its highest point, loosen the needle clamp screw (usually a small screw on the side of the needle holder), and remove the old needle. Insert a new needle with the flat side facing the correct direction for your model, push it up as far as it will go, and tighten the clamp screw firmly. A needle that is not fully seated will skip stitches even if it is new.

If you still have skipped stitches after changing the needle, check that the presser foot is down—it must be down for the tension discs to grip the thread. Also check that the thread is seated properly in the tension discs. Raise the presser foot, rethread the needle and bobbin, and try again on scrap fabric. If skipping continues, the machine may need professional cleaning or servicing, especially if it has not been used in a long time.

Cleaning and Basic Maintenance

After each project, remove the bobbin case and use a small brush to sweep out lint and thread scraps from the feed dogs and bobbin area. Lint buildup blocks the feed dogs and causes uneven fabric feeding. A soft-bristled brush or the small brush that came with your machine works well. Never use a metal tool that could scratch the machine.

Oil your machine only if your manual says to do so—many modern Kenmore machines are sealed and do not need oiling. If your machine does need oil, use only sewing machine oil, explore it sparingly to the points your manual shows, and run the machine for a few stitches on scrap fabric to distribute the oil before sewing a project. Store your machine in a cool, dry place and cover it when not in use to keep dust out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my thread keep breaking?

Thread breaks when tension is too tight, the needle is bent or inserted wrong, or the needle is the wrong size for your fabric. Check that the presser foot is down, rethread with the foot up, and insert a fresh needle with the flat side facing the correct direction. If you are sewing heavy fabric like denim, use a size 16 or 18 needle instead of a size 10.

What does it mean if the bobbin thread shows on the top of my fabric?

This means the needle thread tension is too loose. Turn the tension dial down by one or two numbers and test on scrap fabric. If the problem persists, check that the needle thread is seated in the tension discs by raising the presser foot, pulling the thread, and feeling for resistance. The thread should click slightly as it passes through.

Can I sew stretchy fabrics like knits on my Kenmore?

Most Kenmore machines can sew knits if you use a ballpoint or stretch needle and a stitch length of 2.5 to 3.0 mm. A stretch needle has a special scarf that prevents skipped stitches on elastic fabrics. Test on a scrap of your knit fabric first, and consider using a walking foot if your machine has one—it feeds stretchy fabric more evenly than the standard presser foot.

How do I know if my machine needs servicing?

If you have cleaned out lint, changed the needle, rethreaded correctly, and adjusted tension but still have skipped stitches, uneven stitches, or the machine sounds rough or grinds, it is time for professional service. A technician can clean internal parts, check the timing, and replace worn components that you cannot see or reach.

What is the difference between a straight stitch and a zigzag stitch?

A straight stitch goes in a line and is used for most seams. A zigzag stitch moves side to side as well as forward and is used to finish raw edges, prevent fraying, and sew stretchy fabrics. Select straight stitch on your stitch selector dial and set width to 0, or select zigzag and set width to 2.0 to 3.0 mm depending on how wide you want the stitch.