Top 20 Kenmore 11206 / 11306 / 11506 / 11606 Questions & Answers

First thing I would try is to try to shift the handwheel on the right carefully to see if it would loosen up a little. Next thing would be to get to the screws holding down the needle plate and remove them. Remove the presser foot and the needle from it's clamp. Then slowly try to work the whole thing loose. If you can expose thread underneath the needle plate cut all that you see and try not to cut into the garment. With a little care you should be able to work it loose and out. Don't force anything if you can help it. Particularly the hook surrounding the bobbin case. Too much force and it might be shifted out of time and won't sew right once you get it all clear. good luck. The whole problem may have started from improper threading or upper tension not operational or too loose. Make sure when you rethread that the upper tension is engaged when the presser foot is lowered and loose when the presser foot is raised. Also when you have the needle plate off that the bobbin case is in the proper position so that it can't turn too much only a very little. Just Enough so that the thread can make its way around without catching. Tom

As long as sewing thread is kept in a dry place - often a biscuit tin or one that has held confectionary is used - then it should remain in good condition for a very long time. I have cotton which is probably 30 years old, and some inherited reels which could be up to 50 years old and which are still in perfect condition.

The feed dogs under your pressure foot. Take a look. Is one side of the feed dogs worn more? If so you may need to replace your feed dogs. Just use a screwdriver and take out and order them or go to your local sewing machine repair shop and ask for some new ones.

email or call these sites a1sewingmachines.com sewvacdoctor.com

You may download a copy of the manual here.

if you've tried changing the needle & tryed rethreading the machinethen it's possible that the machine need to have the timing checked

try changing the needletry rethreading the machine top & make sure to use every thread guidemake sure the bobbin is turned the right way in the bobbin caseit's also possible that the machine may need to be checked to seeif there is a timing problem

check with sewingpartsonline.com

There is several things you should use when stitching vinyl, treat it the same as leather. The main issue usually is getting the feed dogs to grip and move it through; this is why there are commercial grade machines specifically for leather hides and fur etc, it is tricky to stitch.To stitch on a domestic machine, you need a leather needle with a spear tip to cut the leather so it doesn't split. Also, if you can get one, use a roller foot to roll over the fabric, or a teflon foot if you can't find a roller one. Also, use paper clips rather than pins to hold raw edges together (remove as they approach the foot and needle). You may also need to bash seams open after stitching (rubber mallet) and glue down the raw edges, this is how leather hides are stitched professionally. If you have to join more than 2 layers ie crossing seams, you'll probably need a Jeans-a-ma-jig device to help with feeding through the thickness and still getting feed. Like this http://www.punchwithjudy.com.au/shop/jean-a-ma-jig.html You don't say what it is actually doing, ie stitches not catching, or the feed dogs not moving it through? But if it is an entry level machine, it may not have sufficient engine power to pierce the vinyl, especially if the textile is thick. Also, don't try to use a heavier thread than normal weight, if you want the stitching to look heavier, then just run two reels of thread through all the thread guides, tension and the needle eye together. Something like buttonhole twist will be too heavy for the bobbin tension and top tension to handle.Hope that this helps you with your project.

I can't find a manual for that exact model, but I found a service manual and instruction manual for a 11206630. They will, hopefully, be close to your machine. Normanlly, when the model numbers are that close, the manuals are very close as well.

The links are http://www.managemylife.com/mmh/owner_manuals/133369/KENMORE-Mechanical-Sewing-1008846L?brand_name_search=Kenmore+11206+Sewing+Machine and

http://www.managemylife.com/mmh/owner_manuals/20676/KENMORE-Mechanical-Sewing-L0305018?brand_name_search=Kenmore+11206+Sewing+Machine

I hope these are helpful!

You can buy a manual online for your machine from Sears. Go here to order one: http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Kenmore-Parts/Sewing-Parts/Model-38511206300/0582/1220000

o to Sears.com. They have manuals to download for FREE. Your model is 385 11206 Ultra Mini Kenmore. I had the same problem, misplaced my manual and found it online yesterday 01-20-11. It's upsetting to me that so many people are on here trying to get everyone to pay $10 for something they are getting for FREE. I've tried several times to copy it to this posting without luck. Hopefully the money makers will not delete my posting and everyone can get the free manuals. I think they have manuals available for most things they sell available free like this.Good Luck!

The manual will tell you how to thread it. :)

You can order a replacement manual online - sometimes at no charge. Try Sears first. Go into the section of their website for repair (manuals are considered as a "part") and get the email or number to contact them.
There is also a site I found that posts manuals free online but your model wasn't listed. They may be able to find one for you as they have an option to ask the membership for help:
http://homeappliance.manualsonline.com/manuals/device/sewing_machine.html

If they can't help you here are a couple of other websites that are selling them for $10 and appear to have your model:
http://www.sewingmanuals.com/Sewing_Machine_Manuals/Kenmore_385.htm
http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Manuals/kenmore_Sewing_Machines_385.htm

Hi and welcome to FixYa, I am Kelly. I used this model number to find a manual. 385.11206300
It can be viewed and downloaded here: http://www.managemylife.com/mmh/owner_manuals/20676/KENMORE-Mechanical-Sewing-L0305018?brand_name_search=38511206300+KENMORE

Use the 2nd icon from the left on the tool bar at the top of the document to save the manual to your computer or the First icon on the tool bar to print a copy.

Thanks for choosing FixYa,
Kelly

To get the pressure foot,you can get it from online sites.Click this link directly and check the pressure foot:--- http://www.thecolorfulworldofsewing.com/c-99-kenmore-presser-feet.aspx --------------------- Also to get whole set of pressure feet for your Kenmore sewing machine. Click on the link below:--- http://cgi.ebay.com/SEWING-MASHINE-PRESSER-FEET-SET-14-LOW-SHANK-KENMORE-/250613206551#ht_4602wt_808 ------------------ This should help.Thanks.Helpmech.

the thead of the coil does not fit.

Try looking here for threading diagrams for your machine.
http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Threading_Diagrams.htm
Usually, you thread the needle from front to back on most machines, if that makes sense. Hope this helps!

i got mine from ebay for £11.99


hope this helps!

Remove the needle plate and watch for the hook to come around. You want to see were the hook meets the needle. it should intersect just a bove the eye. I posted a tip on checking your sewing machine timing, check it out.

15x1 size 14 singer