ok, im taking a shot in the dark here. if you put the dial on top of the machine to the square with the dotted lines, then the top of the side dial to the 0 and orange square maybe it will allow you to use special stitches, if there is an inner and outer ring thing happening. can we get pics of the dials on the side?

I'll try. Super busy day coming up, not sure if I'll get to it today. But I will give it a try. I agree, that red square might mean something. It meant something on my previous 185 but that one had cams.

Thanks!!

From the manual for model 1320, much the same as the 1316, except that the reverse on the 1320 is a flip knob on the pillar near the length and width dials. The dial on top is referred to as for Special Stitches.

Stitch Width Control
This control must be on the Red Dot in order to do straight stitching.

Stitch Length Control
The red marking (looks like a very thick hyphen) on the control is the setting used for the shortest stitches such as in Satin Stitching. Numbers on dial are for approx. number of stitches per inch.

Straight Stitches
Special Stitches dial - Straight/Zigzag symbol
Stitch Width Control - Red Dot
Stitch Length Control - Any number

Zigzag Stitching
Special Stitch Dial - Straight/Zigzag symbol
Stitch Width Control - 1 to 4
Stitch Length Control - Any number
Zigzag foot

Stretch Stitch
Special Stitch Dial - symbol for stretch stitch looks like two RR tracks with a dot centered below
Stitch Width Control - Red Dot
Stitch Length Control - 6

Satin Stitch
Special Stitch Dial - Straight/Zigzag symbol
Stitch Width Control - 1 to 4
Stitch Length Control - Red Zone (shows 0-)

Blind Hem
Special Stitch Dial - Symbol for Blind Stitch (zigzag, straight stitch, zigzag)
Stitch Width Control - 2 to 3
Stitch Length Control - 12 to 8
Zigzag foot or edgestitcher if available

Zipper
Special Stitch Dial - Straight/zigzag symbol
Stitch Width Control - Red Dot
Stitch Length Control - 12 to 10

Mending
Special Stitch Dial - Multiple stitch zigzag symbol (looks like a W done in dots)
Stitch Width Control - 4
Stitch Length Control - Red Zone (0-)
Zigzag Presser Foot

Darning
Special Stitch Dial - Straight/Zigzag Symbol
Stitch Width Control - Red Dot
Feed Dogs - Up
No presser foot
Uses a small embroidery hoop to hold fabric flat against the bed

Button Sewing
Special Stitch Dial - Straight/Zigzag symbol
Feed Dogs - Down
Zigzag presser foot
Adjust stitch width to distance between holes in button

Bar Tacking
Special Stitch Dial - Straight stitch/zigzag symbol
Stitch Width Control - 2 to 4
Stitch Length Control - Red zone
Zigzag presser foot

I've had several Kenmores. Love their stitch quality but figuring out the special stitches is a pain and then finding straight again was also a challenge. What? Me write it down as I'm tinkering? You're joking!!! Have gifted almost all of them to others because I have too many in the herd and I know it too. People do love them as they are workhorses.

Just talked to the man at Sears who no longer works on machines . Too bad as I waited 3 weeks for him. He suspects that my 158.9411 has problems at the cam disk area and said it would cost $200. to fix so I should buy something else. So I guess it is not something I can fix so hopefully I can get it to a repair person that works on these as he says it is complicated. I don't want to ruin it or I would try taking it apart. Boo Hoo !!!

Great job! You saved a machine from the landfill, learned something about getting it going, and now someone will benefit from your generosity!

Well done !!

Thanks for taking the time to transcribe all of this. Busy days ahead but I'll print it out and try to play soon.

You'll have to make a *curbside* quilt and tell the story on the label.

Good for you!!
I have not been having as much luck with a Kenmore. It runs smoothly but will not zig zag. I have done all the normal stuff an it still won't budge. Not through yet, just letting it and my mind rest a bit before I give it another try. I think some how the needle movement is jammed. I will let everyone know when I do figure it out!
Ethel