Kenmore 19233 very new. When using the zig zag stitch, only reliable at 2mm or less. Increasing width to 7mm results in a straight stitch with a few zig zag blips.

The stitch Width selection regulates straight-stitch or zig-zag width. Needle position does not determine straight or zig-zag. Needle position just determines whether the needle's home position is center, left, or right. Needle position can be used with straight or zig-zag stitching.

Check your stitch width setting if its too low it will just straight stitch.

Usually the width will go to a number to increase the width of the zigzag. If you set it to zero the zigzag will be a straight stitch.

Do you have it on zig zag or maybe it is in one of the hem stitches. Make sure you have not selected a special stitch. Sometimes with a small width setting it looks like no zig zag, then when you increase the length you see it is not.

Your feeddogs are not engaged. There will be a button or lever that controls this. You will just have to find it and flip it. Could be on the ends of machine or the front bottom edge. If I could see a picture of machine I could help

You have the machine set for blind hem stitching. Change the stitch selector to stretch stitch, which is a single, in line stitching zig zag stitch.

Cheers,
Embroidery Services
San Diego, CA

First, make sure you select the straight stitch setting on the round dial. It is the one that has the dashed lines, looking like the stitch itself. Then, you may also want to be sure that the stitch WIDTH (dial with the picture that looks like a straight line gradually turning into a zig-zag) to the lowest setting, which is generally 0. With some machines, even after selecting a straight stitch setting, moving the stitch width can change needle position. Sometimes it will initiate the zig zag, other times it will move needle position left to right. Does that fix it?

The three front dials are as follows....left to right-Stitch width, type of stitch, and stitch length. The dial on the top adjust the top tension.

For straight stitch you want 0 stitch width, straight stitch, 3 for stitch length.

For zig zag you want turn your stitch width to how wide you want the zig zag, choose zig zag stitch, and choose how close you want the stitches to be on the stitch length dial. Practice on a piece of fabric. Usually for zig zag you will want to loosen your top tension a little bit.

not sure which model you have but you should have a stitch length control and a stitch width control. locate the stitch width control and set it to zero.

if you have done this and the machine continues to zig zag the zig zag mechanism inside the machine is most likely seized up. try lubricating all linkages inside and move the control lever a few times to see if it will free up.

if not you may need a tech to service the machine.

scott.

i have a brother vx1065 put big dial to 1 stitch length 1-4 stitch width 0 needle position any presser foot zigzag or straight hope this helps