I have a Kenmore model 1249. Old and the shuttle/bobbin is not catching the thread. It has been working fine up until this morning. I have tried everyhing I can think of. Any suggestions?!

Sounds like there could be a burr or nick somewhere that is catching the thread and shredding it. Change the needle. Wrap your index finger with some fine fabric (old hosiery, chiffon, silk) and run it around inside the machine around the bobbin/shuttle, feed dogs, needleplate, presser foot. If there is a burr, you will probably find it. If it is minor, it can be smoothed with a fine emery board or fine sand paper. If it is major, you may need to replace the part.

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You don't mention which thread is breaking. Am assuming top thread.

Install a brand new needle (old needle may be damaged).
Use good quality thread or try changing the brand of thread you are using (some brands may work better than others).
Remove the upper thread. RAISE the presser foot and rethread from the beginning. Verify it is threaded correctly (consult the owner's manual).
Set the upper tension at the midway point between high & low numbers.
Verify the bobbin is inserted in the bobbin case properly and the bobbin case is threaded correctly.
Retest.

If thread is still breaking, there is a possible burr or nick somewhere that is catching the thread and breaking it. You can try wrapping your finger with an old piece of hosiery (or something similar) and rubbing around the needleplate, hook, shuttle. If it catches the fabric, then you know where the damage is. If it is a small blemish, you can sometimes buff it using very fine sanding paper or fine emery board to smooth it. (Be gentle and do not sand too much.) If the damage is large, perhaps it would be better to purchase a new part.

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It sounds like you have a thread jam. Depending on the machine there may be lever that will release the bobbin shuttle, and another 2 levers to release the cover plate. Pay attention to positioning so you can put it back together. Remove the shuttle, then the bobbin cover and see if there are any knots of thread getting in the way.

try a new needle
make sure the bobbin is turned in the bobbin case correctly

The bobbin case is not in the shuttle.

Raise the needle to it's highest position.

Lift the lever on the back of the bobbin case and hold it open as you insert the case into the shuttle; arm on the case pointing up. You may have to turn a bit to the left or right - it will click when in place.

sounds like it needs a service call. if you do not have a sewing repair man you use regularly to clean machine the local fabric store should know who you could call.

Sorry to say but one of your steps is incorrect. Look at it again, take a deep breath and gom
over everything slooowly. If this really doesn't work then Im afraid it's a technician you need :) .

Cannot get top thread to catch and uplift bobbin thread, have changed bottom bobbin; think this may be shuttle problem. Need to get machine in to Polokwane in Limpopo Province to a repair center, cannot find a contact number of Elna there. Can you assist?

I had the same problem with cleaning and jamming and this might sound silly, but when you're in the middle of trying to fix it remember to look up see that it is threaded up top. I did everything the pp's suggested and when they didn't work I realized the top thread wasn't still threaded around the tension thing anymore. After rethreading it, it worked fine. But I DID reduce the amount of thread on the bobbin at the same time as Drazil suggested.

I have the same problem, I fix it by removing both Shuttle hook and Bobbin Case and tested it to see if the shuttle hook rotated freely within bobbin case. I noticed the screw for the tension spring was too high and was rubbing agaist bobbin case. Just tighten screw on spring and and recheck for rubbing.