Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Stanley Dog
Date: 01-10-2004, 07:23 PM (1 of 19)
Hi there everyone  What a wonderful board you have all created. I am just new here, but am sure it's going to be such an asset for me!!I need some help with a buttonhole problem. I have a relatively new sewing machine (Janome) which does automatic buttonholes. I am trying this feature for the first time today, and it's just not working  I have a button (about 1/2 inch, or 1.2cm across), but on practising, the size of the buttonhole the machine is sewing is different everytime. The sizes range from 1.3 inches, down to only a 1/4 inch, all these different sizes with the same button in the buttonhole foot.What am I doing wrong?? There is no mention in the manual about buttons being too small. I've made sure it's inserted properly, but still I can't get the right size buttonhole everytime. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks
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User: Stanley Dog
Member since: 01-10-2004 Total posts: 3 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-10-2004, 08:44 PM (2 of 19)
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Welcome Stanley Dog, When I first tried to make buttonholes with my Janome, I had a great deal of trouble... But , I finally figured out it was me, not the machine.. I was only punching the selection once and starting to sew.. But (hope you are ready for this) you have to punch the selection button once to select and again to start the buttonhole..I suggest you use a scrap and have plenty of thread and make several so that you get used to how many times you have to punch the button. (or picture)...Every time I make buttonholes I practice first so I won't mess up a garment.. Good luck, you will get the hang of it.. I do love my Janome.. I've had mine about 12 years now.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Mother in Law
Date: 01-10-2004, 09:47 PM (3 of 19)
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OH OH OH not another one!!!!!! I had problems with my button hole too at first. And as Libby said it was the operator not the machine. I also have a Janome. Did you pull down the little black lever behind the needle shaft? There is a little black handle that you pull down all the way to the buttonhole foot before you push the button hole button. You have to look under and behind where you change the needle to see it. On mind it's behind the little black thing that you pull down to automatically thread your needle and right in front of the lifter for the pressor foot. Let me know it that's it. I did that and told the guy I bought mine from what it was doing and he told me just what I had to do to make it work right. LOL You have to pull it down so that the buttonhole foot rest on it when you sew the button hole. Works like a charm after that. Hope this helps you. Susie |
User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-10-2004, 09:57 PM (4 of 19)
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Thanks Susie, I had completely forgotten about that.. I know to do it NOW, but I forget to remind people about it.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: Mother in Law
Date: 01-11-2004, 12:27 AM (5 of 19)
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Libby ROFL I know this lesson first hand. You know the old saying " Learn the lesson the hard way" Well this is one I learned the hard way. I went all the way to the sewing store I bought the machine from for him to show me how to sew a buttonhole. (30 miles from home) He told me right off what I was doing wrong. Must be a common thing. LOL He told me you didn't look at the book read the book. I said I didn't see that in there. Of course it's in there but I didn't understand where the black lever was. LOL I love my machine it makes beautiful buttonholes now that I know how to do it. LOL I hope Stanley Dog checks back and sees what we said to try. Live and learn Susie
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User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: Stanley Dog
Date: 01-11-2004, 02:31 AM (6 of 19)
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Thanks so much Libby and Susie It was the buttonhole lever I wasn't using!! I didn't even know what it was for!! I know what you mean Susie about it being in the book, and not seeing it, because you don't know what it means *LOL* I can finally finish off the blouse that I am making for my 5 year old  Thanks again for your help!! |
User: Stanley Dog
Member since: 01-10-2004 Total posts: 3
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From: bren
Date: 01-11-2004, 03:27 AM (7 of 19)
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Originally posted by Mother in Law Libby ROFL I know this lesson first hand. You know the old saying " Learn the lesson the hard way" Well this is one I learned the hard way. I went all the way to the sewing store I bought the machine from for him to show me how to sew a buttonhole. (30 miles from home) He told me right off what I was doing wrong. Must be a common thing. LOL He told me you didn't look at the book read the book. I said I didn't see that in there. Of course it's in there but I didn't understand where the black lever was. LOL I love my machine it makes beautiful buttonholes now that I know how to do it. LOL I hope Stanley Dog checks back and sees what we said to try. Live and learn Susie I have a Babylock ... and did the same thing forgot to pull the lever down... I was sure it was the machine 's fault LOL. Bren:
Don't let anyone ...Live Rent Free In Your Head |
User: bren
Member since: 11-30-2002 Total posts: 489 
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From: Magot
Date: 01-11-2004, 08:04 AM (8 of 19)
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Like Libby said though, it took me some time to realise I had to reselect the buttonhole after doing one to do the next. At first I thought my machine was defective - it is reassuring to me to know that others of you have to do this too and that is is a normal ferature of the machine. I would have felt a right wally going back to the shop for that, I'll leave that to you Susie I am a book reader, and It doesn't mention it in my manual at all about reselecting.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: Mother in Law
Date: 01-11-2004, 05:15 PM (9 of 19)
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To Err is Human!!!!!!!! ROFL Has anyone though the same as me that maybe the book is the one who needs to explain better. I mean if all of us are reading the same thing and not getting it then maybe it should be redone to explain things better. Just my opinion. Glad I could help Stanley Dog. I take from your reply that was the problem. The lever. Libby, Bren and Jan  Looks like we're all in good company. LOL Love you gals. Susie |
User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: Magot
Date: 01-12-2004, 02:44 AM (10 of 19)
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"The creme de la creme" as Miss jean Brodie would say!
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: maps
Date: 01-12-2004, 09:12 AM (11 of 19)
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oh my gosh!!! i did the same thing when i tried to use the automatic button holer!!! i about sent the machine back, that little thing you pull down, and on mine you have to push it back after it is down, that was about the easiest fix i've ever had and now i love making buttonholes, perfect everytime!!!
Marge
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User: maps
Member since: 06-18-2003 Total posts: 152
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From: postcardgirl
Date: 01-12-2004, 10:04 AM (12 of 19)
| I'm glad I read this thread -- my project for tonight is to learn how to do buttonholes with my new machine so that I can complete my daughter's froggy jumper that I'm making her! |
User: postcardgirl
Member since: 05-01-2001 Total posts: 367 
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From: Mother in Law
Date: 01-12-2004, 10:25 AM (13 of 19)
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You know when I first came onto these boards I felt so stupid about everything I asked because everyone seemed to be so educated on the art of sewing. Then I started seeing that everyone was so nice and I really didn't feel bad about asking for help with any problems I happened to have even if they seemed crazy questions to me. As time goes on, I feel like I've come so far just by what I've learned on these boards it makes me want to share my knowledge with someone who needs information on things I've learned. Thank all of you for being my friends and especially Mary for making this all possible. We really do have a great bunch of people on these boards, don't we? And I think it's Love ya all, Susie |
User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: Stanley Dog
Date: 01-12-2004, 04:25 PM (14 of 19)
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I am very glad I found this board too. I have been to other parts of the site, like working through the sewing lessons!! Thanks to the help of friendly people here, I have worked out how to do the buttonholes easily I finished the blouse for my 5 year old, and last night made one for my 9 year old!!Now I just have to work out those collars!!! That was still VERY difficult second time around  I'll definitely be coming here often
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User: Stanley Dog
Member since: 01-10-2004 Total posts: 3
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From: Mother in Law
Date: 01-12-2004, 09:05 PM (15 of 19)
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Don't feel bad Stanley Dog I hate collars too. I can do it if I take my time but most of the time I lose my patience and have to go do something else then come back and take another crack at it. Trouble is, their are several different types of collars. LOL sleeves and collars pooey. LOL susie |
User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: postcardgirl
Date: 01-13-2004, 11:57 AM (16 of 19)
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Just wanted to share a little something... Last night when I got home from work (I had told DH that I wanted to figure out buttonholes), he was sitting at my machine, with a frustrated look on his face, and he says "I can't get this dumb thing to work!" I took one glance at the machine and said, "Check and see if there's a lever that needs to be pulled down!" Sure enough, he pulled the buttonhole lever down, and SUCCESS! When he asked how I knew what to do, I said "I learned it on Sew What's New!"
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User: postcardgirl
Member since: 05-01-2001 Total posts: 367
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From: Magot
Date: 01-13-2004, 01:51 PM (17 of 19)
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Time to yell "KEPLA!" as we say in our household - ( Klingon for success!) Don't it just make you feel good when a plan comes together. It's little things like this that are SOOOOOO satisfying!
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-13-2004, 06:30 PM (18 of 19)
Regular collars and lapels are both difficult for me ... I have to wait and tackle them when I am in a perfect mood or disaster happens...Some things I can sew no matter how I feel, but not collars and or lapels...
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: Llantrisant
Date: 01-14-2004, 05:51 PM (19 of 19)
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Yup I have done the same thing with my buttonholer,somehow it sticks in my mind now, to check that the foot is forward ,and the needle bar is pulled down in place. sometimes it gets mindboggling eh all this techy stuff lol. But always practice on scraps, before doing the actual garment buttonholes.
If at first you don't suceed, try-try again!
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User: Llantrisant
Member since: 06-02-2002 Total posts: 144 
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