I need a bobbin cover plate for a kenmore sewing machine, model 385. 1884180. It is about 25 years old.

it's possible that there is a part inside the machine that could be broken, it would be a good idea to have the machine checked.

have you tried any of these sites

sewingpartsonline.com
sewvacdoctor.com
whitesewingcenter.com
sewingpartsdirect.com
sewingwarehouse.com
sewforless.com

http://www.managemylife.com/mmh/owner_manuals/13790/KENMORE-Electronic-Sewing-L0712542

Try sewingpartsonline.com and it is $5.99

Disengage the sewing mechanism (like you are winding a bobbin)
If the motor runs fine that way then you have a machine that is frozen.
If that is the case take off the top, bottom, needle plate, needle bar and bobbin cover. Spray all moving parts down with Mean Green and let it sit for about an hour. After that blow it out with canned air.
See if there is any improvement. If so you just need to clean out all the old lubricants. Sometimes I take a hair dryer to loosen the sludge up.

Sure! Jenny at http://blog.sew-classic.com/categories/Sewing%20Machine%20Repair.aspx has several very good, in-depth articles about servicing your own machine, but here are the basic steps:

1. Take out the bobbin case and bobbin holder.
2. Take the needle plate off.
3. Brush out all the old lint in the bobbin area and under the needle plate. Remove any loose bit of thread.
4. Open the head of the machine (should swing open). Clean any lint or thread that's caught in there.
5. Locate your machine's oil ports and put one drop of sewing machine oil (only use sewing machine oil) in each of them. One drop is sufficient. General rule of thumb: Put one drop of oil wherever metal moves against metal.
6. Using unwaxed dental floss, floss the tension disks.
7. Put everything back together.

If you need a manual, I found one at http://pages.sewing-machine-manuals.com/173/InventoryPage/1834489/1.html.

Hope this is useful!

Robbie

looped stitches are usually caused by improper tension. when the loop is on the upper side, it may be corrected by loosening the top tension or by tightening the lower tension (turn the tension screws on the bobbin a hair at a time)

since using the machine only a few times it is best to clean the machine from dust (can use a can of air) blow air into the bobbin area and between the tension disks and under the throat plate.

make sure the machine is threaded correctly and bobbin is evenly threaded

hi! there, since there no model you can relay on this basic set up an old mechanical sewing machine,set your upper thread as shownfollow the red loop thread from sppol to needle,then lift needle cover plate take bobbins and follow bobbins thread directionthreads inside bobbin clockwise rotation when you pull outthe insert bobbin to shuttle race casas shown
hold bobbin like this insert
this to shutttle race case as shown ignore arrow

then
after inseting bobbins closed needle plate cover
manually rorate hand wheel to hook up lower thread bobbin by upper thread bobbin if two thread appear on plate needle adjust tension dial to # 3 to 4 and stich dial to # 12 this for straight stich try sew manually first to observe thread under bobbins if free rotate and no accumulation of thread loop you sew w/ foot pedal or push buttin..happy sewing and have a nice day thanks

hello it is called the hook cover plate. go to kenmore .com check accessories

I had the same problem and can't find my Owner's Manual. I found the answer on-line. Hopefully, you have the same type of bobbin casing. To get the answer, go to www.startsewing.co.uk and choose "How to thread a Sewing Machine". If you have the same type of bobbin casing, you should be able to figure out the proper placement of the parts by looking at the one in the demonstration. I am thrilled (!) and hope this works for you, too.