Knowing how to adjust feed dogs on a Kenmore sewing machine is essential for anyone who is a dedicated sewer. Having the right adjustment set can make all the difference to your sewing projects. It is important to get the most out of your machine and this is why it is important to learn how to hassle free adjust the feed dogs.
The feed dogs are the metal parts that touch the back of the fabric when the machine is sewing. They pulled the fabric up and back. The feed dogs have teeth that help to direct the fabric through the machine properly. When the feed dogs are set correctly, the fabric will go through in perfectly straight lines.
The first step in adjusting the feed dogs is to raise them. This is when you turn the adjustment knob to increase the amount that the metal parts are sticking out of the machine. When the feed dogs are raised, they will grip the fabric firmly and help to keep it from slipping. With the help of gravity, the metal parts will keep the fabric firmly in place as it passes through the machine.
Raising the feed dogs too much can cause puckering or puckering in your fabric. Puckering is when fabric doesn’t lay flat because of too much tension on the fabric. Puckering can occur when the feed dogs are too high and the metal parts are not long enough to stretch the fabric as it passes through the machine.
The second step in setting the feed dogs is to lower them. This is when you turn the adjustment knob in the opposite direction to decrease the amount that the metal parts are sticking out. When the feed dogs are lowered, they won’t grip the fabric firmly and the fabric will have more freedom of movement. When the feed dogs are lowered, the fabric can pass through the machine without puckering.
Lowering the feed dogs too much can cause the fabric to bunch up as it goes through the machine. Bunching can occur when the feed dogs are too low and the fabric isn’t firmly held in place as it passes through the machine. Bunching is when the fabric doesn’t pass through the machine the way it is supposed to and the fabric does not lay flat when the stitching is done.
It is important to adjust the feed dogs correctly so that your fabric passes through the machine the right way. To do this, you will need to adjust the feed dogs until they are at the right height that is neither too high nor too low. It may take some trial and error until you get the feed dogs adjusted correctly. Once you have adjusted the feed dogs correctly, your fabric will pass through the machine with ease and the stitching will be neat and even.
Determining the Correct Height
The key to adjusting the feed dog height is to experiment and determine what height works best for the fabric that you are using. The fabric type and thickness will affect the height that the feed dogs should be set at. For thinner fabrics, you may need to set the feed dogs lower so that the fabric does not bunch up. For thicker fabrics, you may need to set the feed dogs higher so that the fabric does not pull apart when it goes through the machine.
It is also important to ensure that the feed dogs are set at the same height. If the feed dogs are not set at the same height, then the fabric may go through the machine unevenly, which can lead to uneven stitches. Make sure that all of the feed dogs are set at the same height before you start sewing.
Re-Tensioning the Feed Dogs
If you find that the feed dogs are not gripping the fabric as well as they should, then you may need to re-tension the feed dogs. This is when you remove the feed dogs from the machine, then stretch them out, and then put them back in the machine at the same level. Re-tensioning the feed dogs can help to ensure that the fabric is gripped firmly when it passes through the machine.
Re-tensioning the feed dogs is not a difficult process but it can be time consuming. You will need to remove each feed dog one at a time and then move them to where they should be. Be sure to check the tension on each one before you replace it in the machine.
Checking Feed Dogs After Adjustment
Once you have adjusted the feed dogs, it is important to test them out before you start sewing. This is to make sure that the fabric passes through the machine and the stitches are even. You can do this by placing some scraps of the fabric that you will be using and running it through the machine to test out the feed dogs’ adjustments.
If the fabric does not pass through the machine evenly or the stitches are uneven, then you may need to adjust the feed dogs again. Make sure that you adjust the feed dogs until you get the desired results that you want.
Cleaning & Maintenance
In order to keep your sewing machine in top condition, it is important to clean and maintain it regularly. One of the key things you should pay attention to is the feed dogs. Make sure that they are free of lint and dust that can build up over time. The lint and dust can cause the feed dogs to stick and decrease the quality of the stitching.
It is also important to lubricate the feed dogs regularly. This will help to keep them in top condition and prevent them from wearing down over time. Make sure that you use the right type of lubrication to ensure that the feed dogs are properly lubricated and do not become corroded.
Conclusion
Knowing how to adjust the feed dogs on your Kenmore sewing machine is an important part of maintaining your machine. Adjusting the feed dogs correctly will help to ensure that your fabric passes through the machine efficiently and that your stitches look evenly and neat. With the proper adjustment and maintenance, you can ensure that your sewing machine is kept in top condition for years to come.
