Kenmore 12102 - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

Knobs left to right - Needle position = Center, Length to something reasonable (try 3 to start), Width - hold the knob in and turn it to other than 0.

How much what cost?

http://sewusa.com/Threading_Diagrams/Threading_Pages/Kenmore_Sewing_Machine_Threading/kenmore_385_12102_Threading_diagram.htm Complete manual: http://www.shopyourway.com/manuals/140735

Look in the manual first, it has ALL the info you need...or have a look at this link:http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Threading_Diagrams.htm

I just discovered that you can go to www.managemylife.com and under manuals, put in 385.12102 and you can have a free copy of your maual. Hooray, this is a great find because normally you have to pay for it. Happy New Year. Good luck

Broken or slipping Belt running off handwheel is most likely UNPLUG MACHINE FIRST !!
remove side cover, tighten motor adjustment to slightly slack like car fanbelt (not tight, some "give" is needed).
If you cannot easily open the case, take it to Service Centre or you WILL break casing clips.

The dial at the top right hand of machine ,turn it fron 0 to 1-5 for zigzag

Make sure the stitch is set to a sewing stitch, (not a buttonhole stitch).
Set the stitch length dial to a longer stitch.
Make sure you have you feed dogs set to the "up" position.

CALL MECHINE SERVER

its not easy sewing left handed is it? i think that oil has got into the switch and you have lost forwards drive now,,give it a good wiggel about till it clears it out, if it was working ok the last time you used it its just got a bit sticky thats all,,,i hope you used a light oil?

Go to the Sear's website, you can download manuals or get replacements.

The bes way to hem a t-shirt on a household machine is to use a double needle, straight stitch. You will see two straight stitches on top and zig zag on the back. Just make sure the zig zag catched the top of the hem.

Check the needle, make sure it is not in backwards. Groove in the needle to the front. If you are sewing on a knit you may need a ball point needle/needle for knits.

Are you sure the machine is threaded properly? Try tightening the tension. And make sure the bobbin was wound in the correct direction.

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Don't mess with the bobbin! They rarely need adjustment. Sloppy bottom stitches usually come from two things. Tension too loose on the tension dial or improper threading.

Dial tension should be set on about the mid range and you must, must, must, make sure that you have the machine in the proper thread patch. Have someone check it with you. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes will help you spot an area that you missed.

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Welcome to FixYa!

Loose bottom stitches come from the top, not the bottom. Seems weird, but that's the way sewing machines work.

The dial tension should be set at the mid range and make absolutely sure that you have the machine threaded correctly. Both things will cause a sloppy bottom stitch.

Thanks!

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Believe it or not, this is usually caused by a bent or burred needle. Since you didn't mention changing it, I think that this is a possibility. Needles should be changed about every 8 hours of operation or more often if sewing heavy fabric. Try it and see.

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Welcome to FixYa!

Are you having stitch problems? If this is the reason you are wanting to "tighten" the bobbin, then you should reconsider doing so. If you bottom stitch is the problem, then messing around with the bobbin is the last thing you want to do.....

Sewing machines are funny machines and counter intuitive. When people see problems with the underside stitch they automatically assume there is something wrong with the bobbin. In fact, the bottom stitch is created when the bottom thread interacts with the top thread.

The bobbin really doesn't have an adjustment and rarely goes out of whack. It's best to leave this alone unless you know what you are doing.....

So what....IS the problem? There are really only two things that seriously affect the bottom, in general, that is the tension setting (the little dial with numbers on it) and mis-threading the machine (make sure you are following the thread path exactly (sometimes it's not easy to figure out, so have someone else try it. Sometimes a fresh perspective will help you see what you might be missing).

Good luck and Thanks for using FixYa!

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Hello I have the manual in Pdf form able to be read and downloaded to your computer or printed. I can be reached by email at HelingFora [email protected]. I also use this email add for outreach Ministry. By the way My name is Brother Paul.

I had that problem, too, then realized my needle was in the wrong way. The flat side needs to be inserted AWAY from you.
I have a Kenmore 16528. It was such an easy solution! I was ready to take it in for repairs! Hope that helps!
Elayna