Technical Description of Kenmore Sewing Machine Model 385

Keeth Perera

City College Of New York

ENG 21007: Writing For Engineering

Professor Rodwell

04/18/2024 

Introduction: 

  The Kenmore Sewing Machine model 385.1551200 was invented starting in the year 1965. These machines are owned by the Sears company and were part of their brand Kenmore. However, these machines were manufactured by a Japanese company called Janome. These machines are convenient for its user because they are easy to use . In fact, they can be used by people of all experience levels. This machine can be used for almost all the sewing needs of the user because of its many features. This sewing machine has many pattern selections which gives users an option to choose which one they want to use. The users can easily choose these patterns by scrolling on a dial. This is a modern sewing machine and its features are easier to use compared to previous models for many reasons. One of these reasons is that the parts of this machine have changed in appearance and position. 

2.1 Exterior 

The exterior parts of this sewing machine include all of the parts that make up the outside of this machine. The outside of this machine is mostly made of plastic, which allows the machine to be cheaper and lighter. One of the main parts on the exterior is the display (2.1.1). This is very important for the user as it allows the user to know what stitch pattern is selected or what their stitch length is. The display is located on the upper right side of the sewing machine and its dimensions are 17.7 cm x 3.6 cm. The display is inside of a trapezoidal outline and has a white background with the stitch pattern or stitch length in black. Each display changes depending on the associated dial. The stitch pattern length display changes based on stitch selector (2.1.2) and the stitch length display changes based on stitch length control (2.1.3).  

The stitch selector is one of two dials on the upper right side of the machine and under the display which controls the stitch pattern being used. The stitch length control is the other dial under the display which controls the amount of fabric being used. The two dials are both and are circular in shape. They both have dimensions of (2.5 cm x 1 cm).

One of the biggest parts of the exterior of this machine is the face cover (2.1.4). The face cover is located at the upper front of the machine. This part is white and has a trapezoidal shape with a height. The area at the top is bigger than the area at the bottom. The dimensions of the face cover are 10 cm in length, 12.4 cm for width 1, 6.1 cm for width 2, and 4.5 cm in height. The brand of the machine, Kenmore, is printed on this face cover. 

The carrying handle (2.1.5) is on the very top of the machine and can be used to help carry the machine. This handle is also white in color and can either rest on the machine or can be in a position ready for carrying. This part has the dimensions of 14.9 cm x 4.5 cm x 1.2 cm. 

The free arm (2.1.6) is located on the bottom right of the machine and can be used for sewing tube items such as trouser legs and sleeves. This free arm is also white in color and is protected by a cover. Its dimensions are 6 cm x 5cm x 15cm. 

The power switch (2.1.7) is located on the lower back of the machine. It is in a rectangular outline and is black. The dimensions of this part are 2 cm x 1.4 cm. At the right of this switch is the machine socket (2.1.8), which is used to connect the wire to power the machine. This socket consists of three metal points in an outline of the socket. The dimensions of this part are  2.9 cm x 0.9 cm. The handwheel, (2.1.9), is on the very back of the machine over the power switch and socket. The handwheel is circular in shape and white in color. Its dimensions are 6.5 cm of radius and 0.8 cm of height. This part controls the movement of the take-up lever and needle.

 On the bottom left side of the machine is the nomenclature plate (2.1.10). This plate is used to give information about the machine including the company that owns the model and where the machine was made. The plate is in a rectangular outline and gray in color. The dimensions of this plate are 7 cm x 1.9 cm. 

The reverse stitch control (2.1.11) is on the right of the machine.The dimensions of this part are 2.2 cm x 2.3 cm. This part is a white lever and is in a rectangular outline. The dimensions of this outline are 4.2 cm x 4.7 cm. This part allows the machine to stitch in reverse. 

Fig 2.1.1 Display

Fig 2.1.9 Handwheel 

Fig 2.1.5 Carrying Handle

2.2 Interior

The interior of the machine includes all the parts on the inside of the machine. One of the main parts of the machine is the needle (2.2.1), which is attached to the bottom of the face cover. This part extends to a position close to the bottom of the machine. This needle is made of metal and has a sharp tip. This is a hole on the top of the needle that the thread goes through. The dimensions of this needle are 3.2 cm x 0.1 cm. 

The needle plate (2.2.2) is a rectangular metal part under the needle that allows the needle to pass through multiple slits in the plate. This plate is located at a position under the needle. It rests at the top of the bottom part of the machine. The dimensions of this needle plate are 5.8 cm x 6.2 cm. 

The presser foot lifter (2.2.3) is on the inside of the machine and slightly above the needle. This part is behind the face cover part and above the needle. The dimensions of this part are 0.6 cm x 2.5 cm x 0.5 cm. This part is a lever and is black in color. It is responsible for raising and lowering the presser foot (2.2.4). 

The presser foot is directly under the needle and helps keep the fabric flat. The dimensions of this part are 2.2 cm x 2.3 cm x 0.5 cm. This part is made of metal and is silver in color and has a shape that resembles a foot. 

The thumb screw (2.2.6) is near the presser foot. This screw is circular shaped  and made of metal with a silver color. This part is a screw which can be loosened by hand. This part has the dimensions of 0.6 cm for its radius and 0.3 cm in height. 

The light bulb (2.2.5) is under the face cover and is on the upper part of the machine. This part is a round bulb with a glass shell. The bulb lights up when the machine is turned on. The dimensions of this light bulb are about 3 cm x 1.4 cm. This light bulb shines a light over where the sewing is done and makes it easier for the user to see the sewing process. 

The feed dogs are under the needle plate. It is responsible for feeding the fabric under the presser while guiding the fabric. The feed dog lever is located inside the bottom part of the machine. This part is pressed from left to right and is used to drop or raise the feed dogs. 

    Fig 2.2.1 Needle  

Fig 2.2.3 Presser foot lifter

2.3  Thread

The thread of the machine includes all of the parts connected to the thread. These parts control and guide the thread throughout the machine. The thread take-up lever (2.3.1) is located at the top front towards the right of the machine to over the needle. This part is used as a guide for the top thread. The dimensions of this lever are 2.5 cm x 2 cm. This part is made of metal and resembles a disc. 

The thread tension dial (2.3.2) is a dial with a white color. The location of this part is below the position of the thread take-up lever. The dimensions of this lever are 2.3 cm x 0.7 cm. The part controls the amount of thread that can pass through the machine. 

The upper needle thread guide (2.3.3) is located at the top of the machine near the thread tension dial. This part is a rectangular disc and is made of metal. The upper needle thread guide is responsible for guiding the thread. The dimensions of this part are 2.5 cm x 0.8 cm.

  The thread cutter (2.3.4) is located on the bottom of the face cover and on the upper part of the machine. This part is a little above the position of the needle. This thread cutter has the dimensions of 1.5 cm x 1 cm x 0.3 cm. This part is responsible for cutting the thread. 

The spool pins (2.3.5) are located at the top of the machine near the carrying handle. These pins are used to contain the spool of thread. There are two of these pins that are made of metal and have a circular black base. Both of these pins are 1.5 cm in height and 0.4 cm in diameter. The first pin (2.3.5.1) is near the carrying handle and the second pin (2.3.5.2) is a few inches away and close to the edge of the machine. 

The Bobbin winder spindle (2.3.6) is pin shaped and also has a white cylindrical component. The pin shaped component has a radius of 0.25 cm and a length of 1.6 cm. The white cylindrical component has a radius of 0.6 cm and a height of 1 cm. This part takes thread from the top thread spool and winds on the bobbin. 

The Bobbin winding tension disc (2.3.7) is a small black circular disc that is in front of the carrying handle. This disc has a radius of 1 cm and a height of 0.7 cm. This part is used to control tension of the thread as it is wound to the bobbin.

     Fig 2.3.1 Thread take-up lever

 Fig 2.3.3 Upper needle thread guide

2.4 Foot

The foot of the machine includes the parts of the machine that are used with the user’s foot. The foot control (2.4.1) is black in color and in a shape similar to a foot. Its dimensions are 15 cm x 7.8 cm x 5.5 cm. This part is used to maintain the speed of the machine. This part is connected to a long black wire (2.4.2) which can be used to connect to the machine. 

The wire splits into two components on one end. The dimensions of this wire are 132 cm from the base of the wire to the first component. The rest of the wire is about 188 cm to the second component. Therefore, the total length of the wire is about 320 cm. One component is plugged into the machine through the machine socket (2.4.3.1) and other can be plugged into an outlet (2.4.3.2)

Fig 2.4.1 Foot control

       Fig 2.4.2 Wire

Functions of item / How it can be used

This item is a sewing machine, it can be used to stitch fabrics and easily bendable materials together. It is used for producing and repairing clothing. This machine works by using a needle to move a thread. There is a shuttle hook on a bobbin winder that hooks on to a thread and then rotates around the original thread to join the two threads together. There is also drop feeding in this machine, where the feed dogs can be raised or lowered. The machine also can be used for straight and zigzag stitch, which allows the user more options in their stitching. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Kenmore sewing machine model 385 has many features that make it a great model for people to use. These features make the model easy to use for users from even beginners to experts. The arrangement of parts in this model is also a factor that makes the machine easy to use. An understanding of these many parts helps a user to use the machine efficiently. This machine gives users many options for their stitching needs such as the many patterns and available stitching material. It allows users to use various materials such as fine sewing fabric and silk to sew. This model of the Kenmore Sewing brand is an advancement that is good for users to learn to sew as well as to practice sewing. 

References

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