My Kenmore model 385.17126690 won't zig zag or do a decorative stitch. Regardless of the setting I put it on, it only goes straight. My length is set at 3 and my width is set at 3.

I have lost my user manual. Can you help me with any suggestions?

Michele O. Dunn, June 2007

whom ever ken is, need your help with my kenmore machine. the needle wont go side to side, but it is a perfectly good needle, i oiled it, and the arm seems to want to try to move, but its still not cutting it. what should i do. its a kenmore 1914 zig zag machine.
katie.branham@yahoo.com

KatieBranham, February 2009

Hello Michele,
Is the needle actually moving side to side when you select zig zag ? if it is then the most probable cause is either a bent or blunt needle, is the machine sewing perfectly in straight stitch or is it missing stitches so you get a sew short ones then a long one ? try the needle first, it is the most likely, failing that it may be that the machine needs oiling because the mechanism is stuck, WD40 is best, make sure you have all the settings set properly, the very worst it would be is out of time but let me know if the above does not work.
drivewithken@blueyonder.co.uk
Ken

Ken Dourof, June 2007