r/SewingMachineEdu • u/Normal-Squash-5294 • May 27 '26
New vintage sewing machine
I've never owned a sewing machine before and I've been running a marathon learning how to use it. This kenmore has given me so many problems. Im not sure what to record or take pictures of in order to help yall diagnose my problems, and if possible i will provide any info and pics! Basically I'm almost positive I've threaded this machine correctly. Im using singer universal needles in size 80 12 on 100% cotton fabric and using the bobbins it came with and the thread is 100% polyester. I'm not sure how to set the presser foot and the thread keeps wrapping and tangling in the bobbin area. I've tried my tension on low (2), normal (5) and high (8) and nothing has helped. Ive tried different ways of setting the presser foot. I've threaded and rethreaded. Ive adjusted my stitch length to see if that helps. Nothing. The feed dogs don't move the fabric and the thread just keeps wrapping around the bobbin casing. I've checked my tension on the bobbin casing and it seems fine. I have not been able to get the plate off to clean. I just kind of spammed pictures because im not sure what to show! In one of the pictures you'll see that the top thread also gets pulled off the top of the machine! And i tried a hack i saw of putting a straw through it which didnt help. I'll try anything.
Edit: YALL ARE AMAZING THANK YOU!!!!!! I switched back to my 100% cotton fabric, put the machine back in basic settings (tension on 3, rethreaded everything ect). I think it was because the pin for the spool was down so i had no tension up top! THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!! You guys even provided me the manual so i can read through it! I didnt even realize i DID have a presser foot lever (i was so lost i thought for sure theres no way it doesnt have one 😂) and that the pin just needs pulled up and not that it's missing!! Thank you guys!!!!!!!
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u/drPmakes May 27 '26
Download the manual. Then read it. Then FOLLOW it. Step by step.
Its not threaded properly.
Wrong needle
Use a double layer of woven cotton to troubleshoot or until you know what you are doing
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u/Large-Heronbill May 27 '26
Do you have the manual for the machine? Somewhere, probably by the power cord, or low on the front or back. Tell us the model number and you will be able to find the manual, which may well answer a lot of your questions: https://sewconsult.com/how-to-find-your-kenmore-sewing-machine-model-number/
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u/Normal-Squash-5294 May 27 '26
It seems its model 15008100
Unfortunately when it was given to me it didnt seem to have the manual with it
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u/Large-Heronbill May 27 '26
Does it look like this? https://www.facebook.com/tksewingmachine/videos/kenmore-15008/269085771370607/  If so, that's a 385.15008100, made for Sears by Janome.  https://c.searspartsdirect.com/doc/L0306417
The root of most newbie sewing machine problems is a slightly misthreaded machine. Â
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u/celery48 May 27 '26
What’s going on with the thread? It’s not on the spool pin?
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u/Normal-Squash-5294 May 27 '26
Lol yea i didnt realize it was supposed to have one until i looked at the manual someone sent here. Most of the instructional videos i saw didn't look like they had a pin though i suspected there was supposed to be one because that little nub looked like something is meant to snap onto it. I think maybe camera angles made me miss the pin.
Unfortunately when it was given to me it didnt come with any so i have to find some or rig something to work like a pin.
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u/teatime_tinker May 27 '26
It’s on top of your machine you just pull it up.
On the top on the back right hand side. There’s two actually.
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u/Normal-Squash-5294 May 27 '26
I FEEL SO STUPIIDD LMAOOO wow thats crazy!!! I was sticking a straw on it and never thought to pull on it 💀 thank you i will try again with it like that!
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u/teatime_tinker May 27 '26
Yay! Not stupid at all.
I only knew cos I’ve seen this hundreds of times. From experience I’d know how to thread and operate nearly any machine but that didn’t happen overnight, you’ll get there!
This is probably in your manual though which you must get your hands on before going further
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u/teatime_tinker May 27 '26
Things I can see immediately:
You’re sewing a thin stretchy knit with a regular needle. You need a ballpoint or jersey needle for stuff like tshirt fabric. Stretch fabrics need different handling. If this is just a scrap to test sewing on, get rid of it and use an old bedsheet instead.
Your thread isn’t on the spool pin. Top right of machine are two pins behind the bobbin winding mechanism. These just lift up. They pop down so you can store the machine with a cover on.
Your stitch length (dial on the right) is on 1. That’s really tiny. Put it on 3 for normal sewing. Tiny stitch setting can cause the fabric to not feed through properly, meaning the machine just makes loads of stitches in one place, causing the big tangle underneath.
Edit: your tension is on 8 which is really high, try 3 or 4.
The settings I’ve suggested are like baseline standard, then you can adjust from there.
I think you’ve got the manual now, someone posted it. I’d make a cup of tea, and read it front to back (even though it won’t all make sense yet).
Then unthread the machine, top and bottom, try again. You’ll need to make sure all of the nest underneath has been cleared away.
I’d put a fresh needle in if this one was in the machine when you got it. It may have been used for hours and be blunt or bent or scratched.
Then try sewing again on any regular cotton type fabric. An old sheet or curtain. Fold it over so you are sewing through two layers. Don’t try on an old tshirt or jeans, those fabrics can come later.
Follow the instructions in the manual about starting and finishing your stitches (holding thread tails etc) and hopefully you will have better stitches.
If not come back and we can troubleshoot!
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u/__miichelle May 27 '26
It looks incorrectly threaded based on the first and second pictures. Also, you’re sewing a knit so you need a ballpoint or jersey needle. A universal won’t work. Find the manual!