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Problem with my sewing machine (Moderated by Sharon1952, EleanorSews)
Posted on: 5/29/20 4:02 PM ET
Hi,
I am new to this website. I was looking for some help with my sewing machine and I chanced upon this. I am hoping someone can help me.
I have a Kenmore 385.12102990
I switched the presser foot from straight to do pico for a skirt. When done I switched back to the straight stitch but the needle refuses to move in a straight direction. I tried changing everything, the selector, width, length, changing the foot again but no use. The needle continues to move in a zig zag manner. Not sure if the image will show up but I tried to post the image of my machine.
Thanks for your help,
Sashi
I am new to this website. I was looking for some help with my sewing machine and I chanced upon this. I am hoping someone can help me.
I have a Kenmore 385.12102990
I switched the presser foot from straight to do pico for a skirt. When done I switched back to the straight stitch but the needle refuses to move in a straight direction. I tried changing everything, the selector, width, length, changing the foot again but no use. The needle continues to move in a zig zag manner. Not sure if the image will show up but I tried to post the image of my machine.
Thanks for your help,
Sashi
Posted on: 5/29/20 4:22 PM ET
In reply to SashG
Here is the manual for your machine: https://www.searspartsdirect.com/manual/27naqt23fv-000582/kenmore-38512102990-mechanical-sewing-machine The 385. part of the number means it was made for Sears to sell by Janome, a good Asian manufacturer, and if it turns out that you can't resolve the issue by yourself, I would probably take the machine to someone who repairs Janomes, since Sears is basically out of the sewing machine business.
However, I'm going to guess that this is a machine that isn't used very often, and has sat around for a few years without a trip to the sewing machine shop for work, and that oils or greases inside the machine have gotten sticky. What I would do would be to put the machine in a warm spot, not over about 90oF, for a few hours, read the manual, and let the heat start to soften the oil and grease in the machine. Move the switches and knobs and apply oil as directed in the manual, and you may find that it suddenly will "loosen up" and the needle will return as expected (not sure what "do pico for a skirt" means). If not, you can try to add some extra warmth from a hair dryer to the needle area, and keep playing with the knobs till it does soften up and move. Most of the time, if it's an old oil and grease problem, that's at least a temporary cure. The ultimate cure, however, is to take it apart and properly regrease the whole machine, which is what techs do with most sewing machines that come in for 1 to 3 year cleanings and adjustments.
If it was working perfectly up until this point and you've kept it properly oiled and exercised, tell us that, too, and what might have happened to start the problem.
Someone more familiar with Janomes and the Kenmores Janome made for them may be along soon to help, too.
I'm going to ask the moderator to move this thread over to the sewing machine section of the forums, rather here than in announcements, so if you return to find your thread missing, look further.
Welcome to Pattern Review!
However, I'm going to guess that this is a machine that isn't used very often, and has sat around for a few years without a trip to the sewing machine shop for work, and that oils or greases inside the machine have gotten sticky. What I would do would be to put the machine in a warm spot, not over about 90oF, for a few hours, read the manual, and let the heat start to soften the oil and grease in the machine. Move the switches and knobs and apply oil as directed in the manual, and you may find that it suddenly will "loosen up" and the needle will return as expected (not sure what "do pico for a skirt" means). If not, you can try to add some extra warmth from a hair dryer to the needle area, and keep playing with the knobs till it does soften up and move. Most of the time, if it's an old oil and grease problem, that's at least a temporary cure. The ultimate cure, however, is to take it apart and properly regrease the whole machine, which is what techs do with most sewing machines that come in for 1 to 3 year cleanings and adjustments.
If it was working perfectly up until this point and you've kept it properly oiled and exercised, tell us that, too, and what might have happened to start the problem.
Someone more familiar with Janomes and the Kenmores Janome made for them may be along soon to help, too.
I'm going to ask the moderator to move this thread over to the sewing machine section of the forums, rather here than in announcements, so if you return to find your thread missing, look further.
Welcome to Pattern Review!
Posted on: 5/29/20 6:06 PM ET
In reply to SashG
Quote:
I am new to this website.
I am new to this website.
Welcome! It's great to have a new member.
Hope we can help. You have given good basic info to go on. Sometimes posters don't remember to even say the machine's model #. Kayl is one of PR's sewing machine gurus so her advice is some of the best advice you can get. An additional way to warm up your sewing machine's innards: if still equipped with its incandescent light bulb, leave the light on and the bulb will warm up the machine from the inside. Be sure the foot pedal is out of the way from children and pets while the machine is turned on so the light will work.
Quote:
I switched the presser foot from straight to do pico for a skirt. When done I switched back to the straight stitch but the needle refuses to move in a straight direction. ...changing the foot again but no use.
I switched the presser foot from straight to do pico for a skirt. When done I switched back to the straight stitch but the needle refuses to move in a straight direction. ...changing the foot again but no use.
The presser foot would not make the stitch itself either straight or zig zag, so to clarify since you mentioned changing the foot again, did you change back to the straight stitch foot? A straight stitch foot while the machine is making zig zag stitches will break the needle. High safety issue for both you and the machine. So, are the stitches fully zig zag or what? In any case, be sure the straight stitch foot is replaced with another foot such as the all purpose foot until the straight stitch issue is resolved.
Sometimes sewing on thinner fabric, the straight stitch can appear less than perfectly straight. Wondering if that's the case?
Change the needle, remove both the upper and bottom thread then sew without any thread at all on a piece of paper such as printer paper. See if all the holes are in straight alignment.
Quote:
changing everything, the selector, width, length
changing everything, the selector, width, length
So, got the width set at zero?
Set the dial as instructed in the manual (page 28)?
Stitch Width Selection
0 Setting mark
Turn the stitch width dial while pushing it. Set the dial at the
desired position and release it.
Looking forward to your posts. Hope you will find the solution, but we are here to brainstorm.

Edited a typo.

-- Edited on 5/29/20 at 6:09 PM --
Posted on: 5/29/20 6:19 PM ET
Thank you all so much for the quick replies and ways to fix this problem. I am going to try all of the above and get back to everyone soon.
Appreciate all of your responses.
Appreciate all of your responses.
Posted on: 5/30/20 4:55 AM ET
In reply to SashG
You're welcome.
After I figured out how to use zoom to see a close up of your sewing machine that you posted, it shows the width dial is on 1 instead of 0 (zero). Once it's set to zero the stitches should be straight.
BTW, is the machine as shown in your picture threaded to sew? If it is, then it appears there's some thread under the thread spool and the thread coming from the spool to the thread guide is very slack. The thread should be taut. Make sure to raise the presser foot when you re-thread. Kayl posted a link to your machine's manual so the thread should look like the diagram.
Also, in your picture the tension dial is at 2. Has it been tried at the typical middle setting (4)?
Happy sewing!

After I figured out how to use zoom to see a close up of your sewing machine that you posted, it shows the width dial is on 1 instead of 0 (zero). Once it's set to zero the stitches should be straight.
BTW, is the machine as shown in your picture threaded to sew? If it is, then it appears there's some thread under the thread spool and the thread coming from the spool to the thread guide is very slack. The thread should be taut. Make sure to raise the presser foot when you re-thread. Kayl posted a link to your machine's manual so the thread should look like the diagram.
Also, in your picture the tension dial is at 2. Has it been tried at the typical middle setting (4)?
Happy sewing!
Re: Topic moved (posted on 5/30/20 8:12 AM ET)
This topic has been moved from Announcements to Sewing Machines
Posted on: 5/30/20 10:19 AM ET
Omg! It worked. Thank you guys. You are awesome. So I did 2 things not sure which one did the trick. I left the light on overnight and I moved the width to 0. I tried it this morning and my straight stitches are normal!
Thank you all. Appreciate your help in resolving this!
Thank you all. Appreciate your help in resolving this!
Posted on: 5/30/20 12:51 PM ET
In reply to SashG
My "rule" for keeping sewing machines happy if I haven't sewn on it for a month, is to take out the needle, clean and oil it as recommended in the manual, and then run the machine at top speed for 5 minutes or so to get the lubricants warm and moving.
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