Bobbin thread not catchinig Kenmore model 385 12912890

If the top thread is not pulling up the bobbin thread, is it actually catching the bobbin thread? If not, then the machine may be out of time. Search for sewing machine timing or take it for service.

If it catches the bobbin thread but then the bobbin thread is difficult to pull, then possibly there is a snag somewhere that is catching the bobbin thread, the bobbin tension needs adjustment, or the bobbin case is incorrectly threaded.

you don't thread the bobbin as such
wind sufficient thread on to the bobbin (use the rewind section of the machine )
place the bobbin in the bobbin carrier in such a manner that the thread unwinds anticlockwise
take the thread and pull it around the edge of the bobbin holder until you reach the slot in the holder
pull the thread down that slot and under the flat spring plate at the bottom of the slot
That plate controls the tension of the bottom thread
pull out about 5" of thread and while holding the thread put the bobbin holder and the bobbin into the machine making sure that it goes right in and clicks in place ( turn it to achieve the click
The needle should be fully up for this procedure
now thread the needle and hold the end of the thread while you hand turn the machine in the sewing direction
the needle will go down and if not on the first time will on the second time pull up the bobbin thread
pull that bobbin thread up and place it along with the needle thread under the foot plate and out the back comment if that doesn't work as there may be a bigger fault that can be fixed

Place both the bobbin case and the bobbin on the table in front of you. Have the open side of the bobbin case facing up and the bobbin with the thread of the bobbin unwinding clockwise. Drop the bobbin in the bobbin case. Pull the thread tail up through the notch in the bobbin case and then to the left under the thin metal plate until the thread appears to be coming out through the hole in the side of the bobbin case. (When you pull the bobbin thread, the bobbin should turn clockwise in the bobbin case.)

Kenmore 158 17550 Sewing Machine Tutorial

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Is there thread stuck on the spindle? If the bobbin is inserted the wrong way, sometimes thread can get stuck on the spindle. Another reason could be that the thread is not pulled all the way through the bobbin holder or it's caught between parts on the holder.

When I have run into similar problems with my older Singer, it's because there is a bit of thread caught somewhere in the bobbin mechanism that doesn't allow the shuttle to run freely. Take the bobbin assembly apart and use a bright light to see if you see any bits of thread in there.

Good luck and let me know if this works!

First try stripping the bobbin or wind a fresh one with new thread double check tension settings and fit in the bobbin case

If the thread is loose on the bottom of the fabric, it's actually the top thread is too loose. Think of 2 little elves playing tug of war in your machine, one on toip and one underneath. If you have loops on bottom, the top needs to pull harder (tighten top tension)

Put the bobbin on the short metal stick on top of the machine. Unthread the machine. Put the spool of thread on the tall, left side stick on top of the machine. Take the thread and wrap it counter clockwise around the circular, short, metal thing on the left side of the top of the machine, only 180 degrees. Thread the thread through the hole in the bobbin (which should be on top). Press the bobbin to the right, into the little white thing. Pull the turning wheel on the right side of the machine out. While holding the end of the thread, softly press the presser foot so that the thread goes around the bobbin a few times. After that, cut the end down to the bobbin. Now, press the presser foot down and wind the bobbin until it stops on it's own.

all machines thread the same. TTN tension,take up, needle.
Beginning with the spool, guide the thread through the thread guides to the tension assembly. Pull the thread through the tension assembly and test it to make sure the tension is working correctly.
(To do this test,adjust your tension setting to normal or medium or 5 or something in the middle. Raise the presser foot and pull the thread through the tension. It should pull easily!! Lower the presser foot and pull the thread. It should pull noticeably harder.) If it passes this test, continue up through the take up lever,then down through the thread guides to the needle. Make sure your needle is fully inserted and turned the correct way.( If you load your bobbin case from the left side,the needle rule is normally FLAT to the RIGHT is RIGHT. There are some exceptions. If you have a newer style drop in bobbin or your bobbin case loads in the front then the rule is FLAT to the BACK.

To wind the bobbin, guide the thread around the thread guide on
the left top of your machine, then to the bobbin winder. Wind the thread around the bobbin several times, place the bobbin on top of the bobbin winder, push it against the wheel and press the foot pedal. It should stop winding when the bobbin is full or you take your foot off the control

Sewman7

I have a Kenmore as well ,I hope that this will work for you ,too bad that I don't live close to you otherwise I would give a hand. This is the way I fill the bobbin on mine. Mine is located on the top right ,I put the thread into the bobbin hole leaving a small piece of thread hanging for me to hold when I begin the winding, I pull the wheele out to stop the needle from moving while winding, when I am done just push it back in .I run the thread from the spool into the top left it looks like a U turn with a screw go around that without winding just pull it into the bobbin hole. press the foot control and it will begin winding .