Kenmore Ultra Stitch 6 Threading and Bobbin

As I continue along my quest to become good at upholstering Supra steering wheels, I find myself in need of a sewing machine. If you want to do a full wheel wrap, there is going to be a seam somewhere and you are going to have to sew it with a machine...unless you really like struggling to push a needle through leather lol.
In order to do this, I borrowed my mom's sewing machine, an old Kenmore Ultra Stitch 6. I had used this to sew leather when I was messing with my carbon fiber steering wheel. Unfortunately, it did not want to work this time around. No matter what I did, the upper thread kept breaking. In order to resolve this, I watched many videos and learned how to properly thread the machine and properly set up and tension the bobbin. Unfortunately, learning to do all this, and do it correctly, required me to watch several videos. There wasn't one single video that covered it all correctly. For this reason, I decided to make this one, so people could find it all in one place.
Once I had set all of this, I still had a problem and I realized my needle was too close to the lower plate, where it was sheering the string on a jagged surface. I ended up widening that surface with a small cut off wheel, followed by polishing it with various grits of sand paper so that it would be perfectly smooth. This made the machine much better at dealing with standard textiles without issue, but there is still something remiss that is showing up when I sew tougher materials like leather. Oh well, this gave me an excuse to order a new Singer Heavy Duty sewing machine, and wouldn't you know, they were on sale for $100 off regular price! Score! I had been eying that machine for a while and had held off due to the price and not knowing if I was going to continue with my upholstery obsession. Well, now it's becoming a full blown hobby and I got a great deal on the machine, so I had to have it. Long story short, it sews leather perfectly and I couldn't be happier. Be on the lookout for more Supra/Toyota upholstery videos in the near future!
Speaking of cars, I apologize for this particular video not directly covering car content. However, know that it is an essential building block to me building more custom steering wheels. I promise that way more carbon fiber and leather work is on its way! At this rate, the Tacoma may very well get a full carbon and leather interior!

[@averyryan6532]

Thank you sir! Every couple months when I rediscover sewing I always come back to this video!

[@doitwithproperstyle]

You're welcome! I'm happy it's helpful to others!

[@lorik2690]

Threading the upper machine & bobbin was fantastic! The close up shots were extremely helpful. If you are still having trouble, in the video your thread tension was set to zero. That should be set at four. Thank you again

[@doitwithproperstyle]

You're welcome Lori! I ended up getting the tension a little tighter but still had trouble with tough stuff like leather. It sews standard cloth just fine though, so my mom should be happy with it.

[@DanFokine]

Thanks man. That was helpful and I'll probably watch it again 30 more times

[@doitwithproperstyle]

@@DanFokine you're welcome! I'm always happy to help!

[@critch7514]

Thank you so much, I was just lent sewing machine and really needed help figuring it out.

[@doitwithproperstyle]

@@critch7514 you're welcome! I'm glad I could help out.

[@imlubu]

thank you. a while ago there wasn't a single video for this machine!!🤪

[@doitwithproperstyle]

You're welcome! It's a shame since these machines are pretty popular.

[@janbrunkow7518]

Splendid....I had several issues and I actually got everything under control..Thanks for all your careful help

[@doitwithproperstyle]

You're welcome! I'm glad I could help!

[@tbone3583]

I have an ultra stich 6 also , this is much needed info thank you. No, new machine for me, gonna stick with the ultra stitch, though I did purchase a new serger

[@doitwithproperstyle]

Nice, it's definitely a worthwhile machine! Enjoy!

[@whitneyunedited]

Thank you for making this! I got one of these for free from a neighbor years ago and am just getting around to use it now.

[@doitwithproperstyle]

You're welcome. Best of luck on your sewing journey!

[@kayg7238]

Thank you so much! My mother gifted me an ultra-stitch 12 as a starter machine and this video was super helpful!!

[@doitwithproperstyle]

You're welcome! It's a solid machine once you get the hang of it. Best of luck on your sewing journey.

[@cherishanderson325]

Thank you! I inherited this machine from family, and I was lost on why my thread kept snapping. I appreciate this video so much!

[@doitwithproperstyle]

You're most welcome! Best of luck on your sewing journey, it's a great machine once it's sorted!

[@DeeRosman]

thank you, i figured out how to thread my machine with this video

[@doitwithproperstyle]

You're welcome. I'm glad I was able to help you get it threaded!

[@stephg8650]

Thank you so much for this detailed video. I just got this machine and I'm so glad I found your channel. Have a great day!

[@doitwithproperstyle]

You're welcome Steph! There will be more content centered on using this machine in the near future.

[@SylviaGoodman-x3s]

Omg thank you😂 I was struggling

[@doitwithproperstyle]

You're welcome! I'm happy I was able to help!

[@akaylahmarie]

Thank you so much for the help, I’m so excited to learn how to use it😁😁

[@doitwithproperstyle]

You're most welcome Akaylah!

[@LisaLisa-zl9vu]

Thank you! I was given the same machine as a spare!! This is a great tutorial!

[@doitwithproperstyle]

You're welcome. I'm glad I was able to help.

[@amandatillaart7831]

Can you please show me how to get the bobbin case thing set back together properly

[@merriemententertainment8900]

I learned 4 things I was doing wrong! Thanks!!

[@doitwithproperstyle]

You're welcome! I'm glad I could help out!

[@elaineh7482]

Thanks That’s my sewing machine 🙌🏿🙌🏿

[@doitwithproperstyle]

You're welcome Elaine!

[@billbrush6251]

Thank you! Great set up information!!!!

[@billbrush6251]

I’m trying to teach myself today, at 47 years old, and you just gave me a big boost!

[@doitwithproperstyle]

@@billbrush6251 you're welcome! I'm happy to help!

[@northernmemaw4036]

Woww!! Thank you so much for the details😊

[@doitwithproperstyle]

You're most welcome!

[@janemartin229]

There are a few things wrong here. I have 3 Kenmore's, an Ultra Stitch 8, a 6 and a 10. First of all, you always raise your presser foot when you thread the upper part of the machine. Otherwise, the tension disk doesn't open to accept the thread. I guess you didn't have an issue because it was set to 0. (It should be at 3 or 4 to sew.) You didn't realize that your thread hooked back under the tension dial--it shouldn't do that. The thread going up to and down from that take-up lever both go through the same face cover thread guide, neither goes behind it. You obviously are using the wrong sized bobbin. You need a Class 15 metal bobbin (plastic is okay but not the best) which is a thicker bobbin. I wonder if this machine has been damaged? (The broken bobbin door, the face plate problems & even the extension table is wonky.) A metal machine like this should last a lifetime if it's cleaned, oiled and gets serviced regularly.

[@doitwithproperstyle]

My mother got this second hand from somewhere. It worked great for a number of years and could even sew leather pretty well. Unfortunately, it got worse with time and she never really had instructions etc. for it. I ended up taking it to my house and messing with it until I got it to sew cloth, never could get it back to where it would do leather. I took it back to my mom. Thanks for that information Jane, I will be sure to pass it along!

[@rikkifarmer2347]

I have this machine and it came with a bunch of gadgets. Would you know which is what?

[@doitwithproperstyle]

I would have to see pictures or video, but I may be able to help you.

[@rikkifarmer2347]

@@doitwithproperstyle I’m not sure how to upload pictures onto a comment. 🫠

[@kfyre976]

Very helpful!! Thank you!!

[@doitwithproperstyle]

@@kfyre976 you're most welcome. Always happy to help!

[@zelmachavarria823]

Thanks, very helpful.

[@doitwithproperstyle]

You're welcome!

[@debbiewarrenfeltz3703]

How do you oil it

[@dayanara4766]

thank you so much this was so much help!!

[@doitwithproperstyle]

You're welcome!

[@feliceehrman9984]

What is the gadget on the top of the machine far left. The center button pops up and down when the outer ring is pushed. Thanks

[@aurelianapahernandez6871]

Excelente máquina cose hasta cuero.

[@doitwithproperstyle]

Definitivamente! Yo la usé predominantemente para coser cuero.

[@mariannabonda5161]

I was given one of these sewing machines, but the bobbin case holder is in two pieces and I can't seem to get it put back together and back into the machine. Also I can't get the needle in.

[@doitwithproperstyle]

@@mariannabonda5161 the needle may be a case of loosening the screw with some pliers. The needles have flat spots on either side that have to align to the flat spots in the opening on the machine. The bobbin case I would have to see. Can you post a video of it?

[@feliceehrman9984]

How to wind a bobbin? That would be helpful. Thanks!

[@doitwithproperstyle]

@@feliceehrman9984 I don't have this machine anymore, but I can definitely show how to do it with my other one.

[@debbiedebbie9473]

THANK YOU !!! ❤️

[@beckyfalls4584]

My feed dogs aren't pushing the fabric forward like it should. Do u know what I can do to fix that

[@doitwithproperstyle]

Hello Becky. I would recommend that you open the machine up underneath them and check to see if anything is caught in the mechanism. I would think something is jammed in there.

[@janemartin229]

Make sure your feed dogs aren't in the down position (like for free motion sewing) or your stitch length isn't set on 0. These Kenmore machines have an accessory plate that covers the feed dogs, so they won't go down.

[@mattskin4733]

Do you think this is a good machine for a beginner? I am thinking of getting one for my ten year old to work on.

[@doitwithproperstyle]

This is definitely a good beginner machine. It was really straightforward to set up and using it is very easy. The only thing I would say is it doesn't have as many fancy stitch options as some others, but for most things, they aren't necessary.

[@dagmarburrer4913]

It is a great machine for beginners or advanced. I would never give this one away. I have a Pfaff and a Brother. But this is often my to go to machine. No electronic machine can sew through many layers of fabric with the ease as this one. Sewing jeans? The needle will go through the fabric without sending the machine into annoying beeps and overload. Easy to use and easy to maintain.

[@debbiedebbie9473]

I made a mistake and unhooked those two black holders and two silver pieces fell out and Im trying to find a video that shows me how to put those silver things back in. ☹️

[@tomstaal7857]

By now you probably have it figured out but if not there’s a little tab at the bottom that you slip into an indent. It’s open at the top.

[@janemartin229]

You're actually supposed to take that apart to clean and oil occasionally. It shows it in the back of the manual.

[@teaganpet262]

I just did the exact same thing, that's why I'm coming through the comments 😅

[@opaltigerthefirst]

so lets just say you accidentily took the part out that holds the bobbin?

[@doitwithproperstyle]

@@opaltigerthefirst hmm, you would have to mess with it. If you have pictures I may be able to figure it out. I gave this particular machine back to my mom shortly after this video.

[@opaltigerthefirst]

@@doitwithproperstyle I was able to fix it myself thankfully, I just had to loosen the screws and use some brute force to make it work.

[@francesortiz3626]

I need help setting it to

[@doitwithproperstyle]

Setting it how? Let me know and I may be able to help

[@johnnydhollywood1587]

thank you

[@doitwithproperstyle]

You're welcome Johnny!