Welcome to the world of sewing with your Kenmore 385 sewing machine! This model is a great choice for people just starting out. It can do many simple sewing jobs, and it’s known for being easy to use and dependable. You might ask, “Can I sew thick fabric?” or “Is this machine good for beginners?” The Kenmore 385 is indeed excellent for beginners learning the basics, and while it handles most common fabrics well, very thick materials like multiple layers of denim or heavy canvas might require a special needle and careful speed. Let’s get your Kenmore 385 ready and learn how to use it step-by-step.
Image Source: i.ytimg.com
Setting Up Your Kenmore 385 Sewing Machine
Getting your machine ready is the first step. Think of it like setting up a little workspace just for sewing. Proper setup helps you start on the right foot. This section covers the Kenmore 385 sewing machine setup.
Finding the Right Spot
Pick a place with good light. A steady table or desk is best. Make sure there is room around the machine for your fabric.
Powering Your Machine
Look at the back or side of your machine. You will see a place to plug in the power cord. One end goes into the machine, the other into a wall outlet.
Connecting the Foot Pedal
Your Kenmore 385 foot pedal is how you control the machine’s speed. Find the cord for the foot pedal. There is usually another spot on the machine to plug this cord in. It’s often next to where the power cord plugs in. Plug the foot pedal cord firmly into its spot. Place the foot pedal on the floor under your sewing table where your foot can easily reach it.
Turning On the Power
Most Kenmore 385 models have a power switch. It’s often near the power cord plug-in. Flip this switch on. You should see a light come on over the sewing area. This means the machine has power and is ready for the next steps.
Gathering Your Sewing Gear
Before you start sewing, make sure you have a few basic things.
- Thread: Get good quality thread. Matching thread color to your fabric is a good idea.
- Fabric: Start with simple cotton fabric for practice.
- Scissors: Sharp scissors for cutting fabric are a must. Keep them just for fabric.
- Bobbin: You’ll need a bobbin that fits your Kenmore 385. The machine likely came with one or two.
- Needles: Have extra needles. Needles can break or get dull. Use the right needle size for your fabric.
- Pins: For holding fabric pieces together.
- Seam Ripper: For taking out stitches if you make a mistake (everyone does!).
Getting the Bobbin Ready
The bobbin is a small spool of thread that goes under the needle. You need to wind thread onto it before you can sew. Learning Kenmore 385 bobbin winding is a key first step.
Setting Up for Winding
- Find the Bobbin Winder: Look on the top or front of your machine. You will see a small spindle that sticks up, usually near the thread spool pin. This is the bobbin winder spindle.
- Place the Bobbin: Put an empty bobbin onto the bobbin winder spindle. Push it down firmly.
- Place the Thread Spool: Put your spool of thread onto the main thread spool pin, which is usually on top of the machine. Make sure the thread comes off the spool correctly (check your Kenmore 385 instruction manual if unsure, but generally, it comes off the front or top).
- Lead the Thread: Follow the path shown on your machine or in your manual for bobbin winding. There is often a small guide or tension disk specifically for bobbin winding. Loop the thread through this guide. This helps make sure the thread winds onto the bobbin smoothly and evenly.
- Attach Thread to Bobbin: Take the end of the thread and thread it through one of the small holes in the top edge of the empty bobbin. Pull about 3-4 inches of thread through the hole. Hold onto this thread tail.
Winding the Bobbin
- Move the Spindle: Slide the bobbin winder spindle (with the bobbin on it) to the right. It should click into place. This engages the bobbin winding mechanism.
- Engage Winding: On most machines, when the bobbin winder spindle is pushed to the right, the needle stops moving. If your needle still moves, you might need to loosen a small clutch knob in the center of the handwheel (the large wheel on the side of the machine). Turn it towards you to loosen it. (Remember to tighten it back when you are done winding!). Your Kenmore 385 instruction manual will show you exactly how to do this for your specific model.
- Start Winding: Press down gently on the Kenmore 385 foot pedal. The bobbin will start to spin and wind the thread. The tail thread you were holding will wind onto the bobbin. After a few turns, you can stop and trim that short tail thread close to the bobbin.
- Keep Winding: Continue pressing the foot pedal. The machine will wind thread onto the bobbin. Don’t wind too fast. Let the thread wind evenly. Most machines have a little stopper that will make the bobbin winder stop automatically when the bobbin is full.
- Finish Winding: Once the bobbin is full or the winder stops, take your foot off the pedal.
- Cut Thread: Cut the thread connecting the bobbin to the spool.
- Remove Bobbin: Slide the bobbin winder spindle back to the left. Take the full bobbin off the spindle. If you loosened the clutch knob on the handwheel, tighten it now by turning it away from you.
You now have a full bobbin ready to go!
Placing the Bobbin
The bobbin goes into a special spot under the needle plate. Your Kenmore 385 likely has a front-loading bobbin case or a drop-in bobbin. Check your Kenmore 385 instruction manual to see which type you have.
Front-Loading Bobbin (Common on Kenmore 385)
- Open the Cover: There is a cover on the front of the sewing bed, usually below the needle. Open or remove this cover.
- Find the Bobbin Case: Inside, you will see a metal bobbin case. This case holds the bobbin.
- Insert Bobbin into Case: Take your wound bobbin. Put it into the bobbin case. Make sure the thread comes off the bobbin in the correct direction. There is usually a small slot or guide on the bobbin case for the thread to go through. Pull the thread through this guide. The thread should feel like it has a little tension when you pull it.
- Insert Bobbin Case: Hold the bobbin case by the latch or arm. Insert the bobbin case (with the bobbin inside) back into the machine. Push it in until it clicks into place. The arm or latch usually helps you position it correctly.
- Leave Thread Tail: Leave about 4-6 inches of bobbin thread hanging out.
- Close Cover: Put the front cover back on.
Drop-In Bobbin (Less Common on 385, but check manual)
- Open the Plate: Remove the clear plastic cover plate over the bobbin area on the sewing bed, usually to the right of the needle.
- Place the Bobbin: Drop the bobbin into the bobbin area. Again, make sure the thread comes off the bobbin in the correct direction. There are usually pictures inside showing which way the thread should unwind (clockwise or counter-clockwise).
- Follow the Guide: Pull the thread into the guide slot around the bobbin area. It will usually go through a little channel. Leave about 4-6 inches of thread hanging out.
- Close Cover: Put the clear plastic cover plate back on.
Now the bobbin is in place, and you are ready for the upper thread.
Threading the Top Thread
This is a very important step. If the top thread is not threaded right, your machine will not sew correctly. It will make messy stitches or jam. This is often where beginners have trouble, but follow these steps carefully. Let’s learn Kenmore 385 threading.
- Raise the Presser Foot: Use the lever on the back of the needle bar (or side) to lift the presser foot up. This is the little foot that holds your fabric down. Lifting it opens the tension disks, which is key for correct threading.
- Raise the Needle: Turn the handwheel (the large wheel on the side) towards you to bring the needle all the way up. Make sure the thread take-up lever (a part that moves up and down above the needle) is also at its highest point.
- Place the Thread Spool: Put your spool of thread onto the thread spool pin on top of the machine. Make sure the thread comes off the spool smoothly.
- Follow the Thread Path: Your machine has numbered guides or arrows showing the path for the thread. Follow these carefully.
- Start by guiding the thread through the first thread guide (often a hook or loop near the spool).
- Bring the thread down the main channel on the front of the machine.
- Bring the thread up to the thread take-up lever. Loop it through the hole or hook on the take-up lever. It’s very important that the thread goes through this lever!
- Bring the thread back down through the lower thread guides (often hooks or loops near the needle).
- Thread the Needle: Now you are at the needle. The thread goes from the front of the needle through the eye to the back. Some machines have a needle threader to help, but you might need to thread it by hand. Cut the end of your thread at an angle to make it easier to push through the tiny needle eye. Pull about 6-8 inches of thread through the needle eye.
- Place Thread Under Foot: Take the thread that is now through the needle and slide it under the presser foot and towards the back of the machine.
Double-check that the thread passes through every guide and especially through the hole in the thread take-up lever. If the thread slips out of the take-up lever, you will have major problems when sewing.
Bringing Up the Bobbin Thread
Before you can start sewing, you need the bobbin thread to come up to the top so it can loop with the upper thread.
- Hold the Top Thread: Gently hold the end of the upper thread that you just threaded through the needle (hold it loosely to the left).
- Turn the Handwheel: Slowly turn the handwheel on the side of the machine towards you. Watch the needle go down and then come back up.
- Catch the Loop: As the needle goes down, it will grab the bobbin thread. As it comes back up, it will pull a loop of the bobbin thread up through the needle plate hole.
- Pull Up the Bobbin Thread: Stop turning the handwheel when the take-up lever is highest. Use your finger, a pin, or small scissors to pull that loop of bobbin thread all the way up. You should see a loop of the bobbin thread (which might be a different color than your top thread).
- Pull Thread Ends Back: Pull the end of the bobbin thread until the end comes through the loop. Now you have both the top thread and the bobbin thread ends on top of the needle plate.
- Place Both Threads: Slide both the top thread and the bobbin thread under the presser foot and pull them towards the back of the machine.
Now both threads are ready, and your machine is almost set to sew.
Choosing Your Stitch
Your Kenmore 385 has different stitches you can use. For beginners, you will mostly use the straight stitch and maybe the zigzag stitch. This is Kenmore 385 stitch selection.
Stitch Dial
Look at the front or side of your machine. There is likely a large dial or knob with pictures of stitches or stitch numbers. This is your stitch selector dial.
- Turn this dial to the picture or number of the stitch you want to use.
- For most sewing, you will choose a straight stitch (it looks like a dashed line).
- A zigzag stitch (it looks like a wavy line) is good for finishing edges or sewing stretchy fabric.
Stitch Length
There is usually another dial or lever to control stitch length. This changes how long each stitch is.
- Smaller numbers mean shorter stitches (good for holding fabric together tightly, like at the start and end of seams).
- Larger numbers mean longer stitches (good for basting or gathering).
- A medium setting (often around 2.5) is good for most general sewing on cotton fabric.
Stitch Width (for Zigzag)
If you choose a zigzag stitch, there is usually a dial or lever to control stitch width. This changes how wide the zigzag is.
- A setting of 0 means a straight stitch (no width).
- Higher numbers make the zigzag wider.
- Choose a width that works for your project. For finishing raw edges, a medium width is common.
Start with Kenmore 385 basic stitches like the straight stitch at a medium length (around 2.5).
Adjusting Thread Tension
Thread tension controls how the top thread and bobbin thread lock together within the fabric. If the tension is not right, your stitches will look messy on the top or bottom. This is Kenmore 385 tension adjustment.
What is Tension?
Imagine the top thread and bobbin thread meeting in the middle of the fabric layers and tying a knot.
- Correct Tension: The knot happens between the two layers of fabric. The stitches look the same on the top and the bottom.
- Top Thread Too Tight: The top thread lies flat on top of the fabric, and the bobbin thread is pulled up into small loops on the top of the fabric.
- Bobbin Thread Too Tight: The bobbin thread lies flat on the bottom of the fabric, and the top thread is pulled down into small loops on the bottom of the fabric.
Finding the Tension Dial
Your Kenmore 385 has a tension dial. It is usually a numbered dial on the front of the machine, above the needle area. It will have numbers, typically from 0 to 9.
Making Adjustments
- The middle number (often around 4 or 5) is usually the standard setting. Start here.
- Sew a test line of stitches on a scrap piece of the same fabric you are using for your project.
- Look at the stitches on both the top and the bottom.
- If the top thread looks too tight (loops of bobbin thread show on top), turn the tension dial to a smaller number (less tension).
- If the bobbin thread looks too tight (loops of top thread show on the bottom), turn the tension dial to a larger number (more tension).
- Make small adjustments, turn the dial just one number at a time, then sew another test line. Keep testing and adjusting until the stitches look balanced on both sides.
Different fabrics and threads can need different tension settings. Always test on a scrap first.
Changing the Needle
Needles can get dull, bent, or even break. A bad needle can cause skipped stitches or damage your fabric. Knowing Kenmore 385 needle replacement is important.
When to Change Your Needle
- After finishing a project.
- When starting a new project, especially with a different type of fabric.
- If you hear a popping sound while sewing (this often means the needle hit a pin).
- If you get skipped stitches.
- If the needle looks bent or has a dull tip.
A good rule is to change your needle every 8-10 hours of sewing time.
How to Change the Needle
- Turn Off the Machine: Always turn off the power switch before changing the needle. This is for your safety.
- Gather Tools: You might need a small screwdriver that came with your machine or is mentioned in your Kenmore 385 instruction manual. Get your new needle ready.
- Raise the Needle: Turn the handwheel towards you to bring the needle all the way up to its highest point.
- Loosen the Screw: There is a screw on the side of the needle clamp (the part holding the needle). Use the screwdriver to loosen this screw. You only need to loosen it, not remove it.
- Remove the Old Needle: The old needle should now slide down and out. Pull it straight down. Put it in a safe place like an old needle container so you don’t prick yourself later.
- Insert the New Needle: Look at the new needle. Sewing machine needles have a flat side at the top and a round side. The flat side must face the back of the machine.
- Insert Fully: Push the new needle up into the needle clamp as far as it will go. Make sure the flat side is facing the back.
- Tighten the Screw: While holding the needle in place, tighten the screw firmly with the screwdriver. Do not overtighten, but make sure the needle is held securely.
- Check: Turn the handwheel slowly by hand to make sure the needle goes up and down smoothly and doesn’t hit anything.
You are now ready to thread the new needle.
Sewing Your First Stitches
You’ve set up, wound the bobbin, threaded the machine, chosen a stitch, and maybe even changed the needle. Now it’s time to sew!
- Place Fabric: Take a scrap piece of fabric (folded in half is good). Place the fabric under the presser foot where you want your stitches to start. Line up the edge of the fabric with a guide line on the needle plate if you want a straight seam allowance.
- Lower the Presser Foot: Use the lever on the back or side to lower the presser foot down onto the fabric. The presser foot holds the fabric firmly in place. You must lower the presser foot before you start sewing. If you don’t, the machine will jam and make a tangled mess of thread (called a “bird’s nest”).
- Hold Thread Tails: Hold the ends of the top thread and bobbin thread (the ones you pulled under the foot) for the first few stitches. This helps prevent the thread from getting pulled down and jamming.
- Start Sewing: Gently press down on the Kenmore 385 foot pedal. The machine will start sewing. Press lightly to go slow. Press harder to go faster. For a beginner, slow and steady is best.
- Guide Fabric: Use your hands to gently guide the fabric. Do not push or pull the fabric through the machine. Let the machine feed the fabric itself. You are just steering it.
- Locking Stitches: When you start sewing, it is a good idea to sew a few stitches, then press the reverse lever or button (often located near the stitch selector). Sew backwards a few stitches to lock the seam. Then release the reverse lever and sew forward again. Do this again at the end of your seam. This keeps your stitches from coming undone.
- Sew to End: Sew your desired line of stitches.
- Stop Sewing: Take your foot off the Kenmore 385 foot pedal.
- Raise the Needle and Foot: Turn the handwheel towards you to bring the needle to its highest point. Use the presser foot lever to raise the presser foot.
- Remove Fabric: Pull the fabric away from the machine and slightly to the back.
- Cut Threads: Use the thread cutter on the side of the machine (or your scissors) to cut the threads connecting your fabric to the machine.
Look at your stitch line. Is it straight? Does the tension look good on both sides? Practice sewing straight lines and turning corners on scrap fabric before sewing on your project.
Interpreting Common Issues (Troubleshooting)
Sometimes things don’t go right. The machine might skip stitches, the thread might break, or you might get tangled thread. Here is some Kenmore 385 troubleshooting help for common problems.
| Problem | What It Looks Like | Possible Cause | What to Try |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skipped Stitches | Stitches are missing gaps in the stitch line. | Needle is bent, dull, or inserted wrong; Wrong needle type; Machine needs cleaning. | Change the needle (Kenmore 385 needle replacement). Make sure the flat side is to the back. Use the right needle for your fabric. Clean lint from the bobbin area. Check Kenmore 385 instruction manual. |
| Thread Breaking (Top) | The upper thread keeps snapping. | Thread path wrong; Tension too tight; Poor quality thread; Needle eye too small; Needle bent; Lint buildup. | Kenmore 385 threading again, making sure you follow the path exactly, especially the take-up lever. Lower the Kenmore 385 tension adjustment slightly. Use better thread. Change the needle. Clean machine. |
| Thread Breaking (Bobbin) | The bobbin thread keeps snapping. | Bobbin wound too tight or loose; Bobbin case not seated right; Thread caught somewhere; Lint in bobbin case. | Rewind the bobbin (Kenmore 385 bobbin winding). Make sure the bobbin case is put in correctly. Check for trapped thread. Clean the bobbin area. Check manual. |
| Fabric Won’t Move | The fabric stays in place when you press the foot pedal. | Presser foot is up; Feed dogs are lowered. | Lower the presser foot. Check if your machine has feed dogs that can be lowered (for free motion sewing) and make sure they are up (check manual). |
| Tangled Thread (“Bird’s Nest”) | Lots of messy loops and knots, usually on the bottom. | Most common cause: Presser foot was not lowered; Wrong threading; Tension problem; Bobbin problem. | Always lower the presser foot before sewing! Re-thread the top thread (Kenmore 385 threading) carefully with the foot up. Check bobbin is in correctly. Adjust tension (Kenmore 385 tension adjustment). |
| Machine is Loud or Stiff | Machine sounds bad or handwheel is hard to turn. | Needs oiling; Lint buildup; Something jammed. | Check your Kenmore 385 instruction manual for oiling points. Clean thoroughly, especially the bobbin area. Remove fabric and check for thread jams. |
| Uneven Stitches | Stitches are not a consistent length. | Pushing or pulling fabric; Stitch length setting; Bobbin winding uneven. | Let the machine feed the fabric. Check stitch length setting. Rewind bobbin (Kenmore 385 bobbin winding). |
For any problem, the first steps are often:
1. Turn off the machine.
2. Remove your fabric.
3. Lift the presser foot.
4. Remove the thread from the needle.
5. Remove the bobbin.
6. Clean out any lint (especially around the bobbin area).
7. Change the needle (Kenmore 385 needle replacement).
8. Insert the bobbin correctly.
9. Thread the top thread again carefully (Kenmore 385 threading), with the presser foot up.
10. Test on a scrap fabric.
These steps fix many common issues. Always keep your Kenmore 385 instruction manual handy for detailed pictures and specific steps for your model.
Keeping Your Machine Clean
Lint and dust can build up in your machine and cause problems. Cleaning your Kenmore 385 regularly helps it run smoothly.
- Turn Off Power: Always turn off the machine first.
- Remove Needle and Foot: Take off the needle and presser foot.
- Clean Bobbin Area: This is where most lint gathers. Remove the bobbin case or bobbin. Use the small brush that came with your machine (or a small, stiff brush) to brush away lint from the bobbin area and feed dogs (the little teeth that move the fabric). You can also use a small vacuum attachment or compressed air, but be careful not to blow lint deeper into the machine.
- Wipe Down: Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe down the outside of the machine.
Check your Kenmore 385 instruction manual for specific cleaning instructions and if your machine needs oiling. Some newer machines are self-oiling, but older ones need a drop of sewing machine oil now and then.
Grasping Advanced Stitches (Optional)
Once you are comfortable with straight stitches and zigzag, your Kenmore 385 might have other stitches. Look at your stitch selector dial. You might see pictures of:
- Stretch stitches (lines that look broken or angled) for sewing stretchy fabrics.
- Decorative stitches (like scallops or hearts).
- Buttonhole stitch (often involves several steps and selector settings).
Consult your Kenmore 385 instruction manual to learn what each stitch does and how to select it. Practice these stitches on scrap fabric before using them on a project. Different stitches might need different Kenmore 385 tension adjustment settings or even special presser feet.
Relying on Your Kenmore 385 Instruction Manual
While this guide covers the basics, your Kenmore 385 instruction manual is your best friend. It has pictures showing the exact threading path, bobbin insertion for your specific model, parts names, cleaning tips, and specific Kenmore 385 troubleshooting steps for your machine. If you don’t have the paper copy, you can often find a free PDF version online by searching for “Kenmore 385 manual” and your specific model number (it might be a number like 385.1… something).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are answers to common questions beginners ask about using their Kenmore 385.
h4: What kind of bobbins does the Kenmore 385 use?
Your machine likely uses standard Class 15 plastic or metal bobbins. It’s best to check your Kenmore 385 instruction manual or compare new bobbins to one that came with your machine to make sure they fit correctly. Using the wrong size or type of bobbin can cause sewing problems.
h4: Can I use any thread in my Kenmore 385?
Most standard sewing threads (like polyester or cotton) work fine. Avoid very thick, fuzzy, or specialty threads when you are starting, as they can sometimes cause issues in a basic machine. Use good quality thread; cheap thread is more likely to break or cause lint buildup.
h4: Why is my Kenmore 385 making a loop on the bottom of the fabric?
This is the most common “bird’s nest” problem, usually caused by not lowering the presser foot before you start sewing. Make sure the presser foot is down. If it still happens, re-thread the top thread completely (Kenmore 385 threading), making sure the thread goes correctly through all guides, especially the take-up lever, with the presser foot up. Also, check your Kenmore 385 tension adjustment; the top tension might be too loose.
h4: How do I know which needle to use?
Needle size depends on the fabric. Smaller numbers (like 70/10 or 80/12) are for light fabrics like cotton or silk. Larger numbers (like 90/14 or 100/16) are for heavier fabrics like denim or canvas. There are also different needle types, like ballpoint for knits or denim needles for tough fabrics. Start with a universal needle (size 80/12 or 90/14) for most projects and refer to your Kenmore 385 instruction manual or needle packaging for guidance. Always use sewing machine needles, not hand sewing needles.
h4: My Kenmore 385 foot pedal isn’t working, or the machine runs too fast/slow.
First, make sure the Kenmore 385 foot pedal is plugged in correctly. Check the power switch. If the speed is uneven or always too fast/slow, the pedal itself might need cleaning or replacing, or there could be an issue inside the machine. Check your Kenmore 385 instruction manual for troubleshooting the foot pedal or power.
h4: How do I clean the bobbin area?
Turn off the power. Open the bobbin cover. Remove the bobbin case (or bobbin). Use a small brush to gently sweep out lint from the bobbin holder, the feed dogs, and around the area. Do this regularly!
h4: Where can I find the Kenmore 385 instruction manual?
If you don’t have the paper copy, search online for “Kenmore 385 sewing machine manual” plus the full model number (e.g., “Kenmore 385.12345 manual”). Many websites offer free PDF downloads of older sewing machine manuals.
Starting Your Sewing Journey
Learning to use a sewing machine takes practice. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; that’s how you learn! Start with simple projects like pillowcases, simple bags, or just practicing sewing straight lines on scrap fabric. Your Kenmore 385 is a sturdy machine that can help you learn the basics and create many things. Keep this guide and your Kenmore 385 instruction manual handy, and enjoy your sewing adventures!