20 Most Recent Kenmore Drop-In Bobbin 16231 Mechanical Sewing Machine - Page 3 Questions & Answers

Undo the screw on the bobbin case anti clockwise about a quarter of a turn and test and repeat if necessary until you get it right, put the top tension on 4 or 5 first.

check with sewingpartsonline.com for a foot pedal

Hello,

Although you already re-theaded and cleaned your machine, re-check this:

- Un-thread your machine and remove your bobbin. Clean any loose thread or lint out of your bobbin case. Re-thread your machine, reinsert and rethread your bobbin.

If that doesn't work, try this:

- Change your bobbin.There could be a nick along the edge of your bobbin spool that’s catching your thread as you sew.

- Raise your feed dogs if your machine has this feature.

Note:
when you start to sew a seam, hold the upper and bobbin thread tails. Hold them back and out of the way as you sew your first couple of stitches. This will keep them from getting caught in your machine.

Hope this helps.

Your motor may be seized, take it into Sears, sewing machine department, and see if one of the salespeople can diagnose the problem, Most Sears stores have very nice employees and are more than happy to help you.

Take and rethread the entire machine, sound like it is either the bobbin thread not correctly threaded into the machine or the upper thread isn't being pulled throught the take up lever.

Turn the lower knob on the right hand side of your sewing machine. This is the control for the stitch selector (like zig-zag, buttonhole, etc.). You will see 3 straight stitch settings. One is for left, one for center, and one for right. Align the orange indicator with the center line & voila.

Your best bet is to call Sears as their warranties are not the same for every sewing machine they sell.

may I suggest to put a new needle in

clean the bobbin area where the feed dogs are for lint & also use that can of air for pc's in the bobbin area

some machines have a problem in the bobbin area & can pull the fabric in the bobbin area when the thread comes off the thread take up lever

I hope my suggestion help you

It sounds like the bobbin may be positioned wrong (it should turn counterclockwise when you place it in the holder) or the bobbin is not pulled completely through the notch in the holder.

Also, make sure your top thread is threaded properly too. Sometimes I've had problems when I thought it was the bobbin but it turned out to be my main thread.

Hope that helps.

If, I were you, I would take to Sears, to the sewing machine department and have the salesman show me how to thread it and wind the bobbin. You can order a manual from Sears parts direct, if you don't have it.

check to make sure the top thread has not come off the thread take up lever
also check that the thread is in the tension disk correctly--and pulls smoothly
also change the needle it could be bent or blunt or burred
clean under the needle plate ( becareful not to damage the screws, because the fabric can be pulled when it goes over them)
clean the bobbin area for lint or loose threads
also check the tension usually 3 or 4 is good
also maybe a special needle might be needed
also some needle & thread are not compatable-try this
Cut 6-8 inch piece of thread of the spool you are going to use for your project
Take the needle you are going to use for the project
& insert the thread thru the eye of the needle
& lift one end of the thread to a 45 degree angle
& if the needle is the right size for the thread it will slide down the thread
But if the needle hangs on the thread you need one size larger needle for the thread

check you needle to see if it's damaged
check to see if the top thread to see if it's come off the thread take up lever
check to make sure there's no lint or loose thread in the bobbin area

check the needle to see if it's bent-roll on flat surface to see if it rolls correctly
blunt needle- makes popping sound going thru fabric
damaged needle-end broke off
try rethreading machine-some sewing machine bind up when the thread come off the thread take up lever
make sure there is no lint or loose thread in the bobbin area

In your position, I would go to Sears and ask the salesperson to demo how to work your machine. It should not cost you anything, just take it with you when you go.

adjust the wheel of your machine

Make sure you have the power plugged into the machine correctly,

You can contact a1sewingmachine.com for one. Most of his manuals are between $10-25.