I recently purchased a J. C. Penney Model 868-1926 sewing machine and desperately need an operating manual and possibly a servuice manual if it is not too costly. Do you know where I could find these manuals? Thank You Robert

Question edited for clarity and better order.

The problem is that JC Penney were just a department store seller of machines made by someone else, a regular sewing machine company, ie Singer, Necchi, Nelco, Brother..., but was badged under JC Penney's name.

J. C. Penney Co., Inc. - Serial Number Registry

VintageMachinery.org http://vintagemachinery.org > mfgindex > detail Manufacturers Index - J. C. Penney Co., Inc. ... There is currently no Serial Number Registry Steward for this manufacturer. ... manufacturer, please contact the ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JCPenney

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Question edited for clarity.

They make it with a strange plug that goes into the foot pedal. It looks like you have to buy it complete.

https://www.google.com/search?q=power+cord+for+a+JC+Penney+overlock+serger+sewing+machine+model+7015A

This is a better targeted search query, but still points to Amazon

https://www.google.com/search?q=%22JC+Penney+7015A%22+sewing+machine+power+cord

or here

https://millardsewing.com/product/419451-003/

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Google search giving all info/ request manual

Google it what you want and the model

go google and type in---operators manual for jc penney eltra sewing machine model no (not given) and if there is one it will appear as a pdf version down load on a site

Here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1127394632/jc-penney-6926-sewing-machine-manual

The only place I saw for your manual was at tias, relics. You can google it and see the one I saw, I think the cost was $17 for a reproduction copy, I don't know who else would carry it, but it will answer your questions on how to thread it properly. Without seeing it I am assuming that you do not have it threaded right, or it needs a new needle. I am sure that it is a good old machine and worth fixing, they don't make em like they used to. I am not sure who made your model, so it would be best to buy the exact manual for your particular machine. Sears and Penney's did not make their own machines, they had other manufacturers make them, like Elna, Singer Necchi etc. Sometimes you can even purchase a repair manual that a Penney's technician had, I did with an old Kenmore that I had, but alas, it only confirmed my suspician that the motor was shot. You may be lucky and find one somewhere else for less money but I don't have time to do more research. Good luck