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From: Sew Granny-Like
Date: 01-26-2005, 11:33 PM (1 of 7)
 I really need help making button holes. I made my granddaughter a dress for a play she was in and the pattern called for three button holes....I made them but could not get them to be uniform, one was long, one short and the other medium and they were all different widths too. I ended up using hooks and eyes that worked just fine but I still want to know how to make button holes! Is there a trick to it or should I just practice, practice, practice? I have a singer that has a three part way of making the outer part of the button hole and then I have to use a sharp object, seam ripper or something, and cut out the middle part which ended up looking raggedy too. Are there machines that do all of that for you, create uniform button holes and cut out the middle too? Just wondering, I would sure like to upgrade and get rid of this singer. It is my first "investment" from good old wally world. I need all the help I can get! Thanks a bunch! Dacia
Sew Granny-Like
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User: Sew Granny-Like
Member since: 10-13-2004 Total posts: 23 
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From: sable
Date: 01-27-2005, 12:27 AM (2 of 7)
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I have a Bernina that's older than I am, it has a 5 step button hole (ie: forward, end tack, back, end tack and fasten thread). The original buttonhole foot was very basic, but we found a foot which had length markings on it and a little slider indicator which shows you when to stop sewing forward and go to the next step. It is still not automatic, but means I don't have to use pins to mark the end of the buttonhole (I don't like doing that due to the risk of hitting the pin). It could be worth going to your singer dealer to see if they have something similar. Some of the newer and more expensive machines do sew the buttonhole according to whatever size you specify. As far as cutting the buttonhole open, I don't know if any machines do this, but I use small sewing scissors, sometimes I put a pin at the end in the gap between sides just in front of the bartack so I can't overshoot. I usually only need to do this with thicker fabrics where I'm using more force to get through the fabric. I never use a seam ripper as it's too easy to overshoot and cut the bar tack at the end. Another alternative is a buttonhole opener which looks like a small chisel and usually comes with a small wooden block to put under the buttonhole. |
User: sable
Member since: 01-10-2005 Total posts: 76 
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From: Mother in Law
Date: 01-27-2005, 01:06 AM (3 of 7)
| Hey Darcia, I have the new Singer and it has the one step buttonholes. It does take a little practice to get them straight. I always make practice ones first, several of them to be sure on scrap fabric with the same button I'm going to use on the garment. Then I make it on the garment. Also, If you can't get the fabric under the presser foot easily, don't make a buttonhole there. It will always mess up. That's a tip from Sandra Betzina. And believe me she's right. Practice Practice Practice and on different fabric it does make a difference. |
User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: paroper
Date: 01-27-2005, 12:17 PM (4 of 7)
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I don't know of a machine that cuts the button hole, but there are several that make automatic button holes. You can do it yourself though. When I make manual button holes, I place a pin with the head facing the edge of the fabric (so I can pull it out easily), then I mark each end with a pin going up and down. If you carefully place these so that they are the same at each hole, you must bar tack where the end pins are and use the other pin for a guide. Once I have my machine positioned to start, I pull the first pin and the pin that runs the length of the button hole and I start. When I get to the last pin and get ready to sew across, I pull that pin. The trick is in timing. When it comes to cutting your button hole, one easy way is to take a seam ripper and push the point into one end. Bring the point up inside the button hole as far away as it will comfortable reach without gathering the fabric, then push your ripper toward the point. If you don't allow the fabric to roll, this makes a nice straight cut that you can control. If you do it correctly, you shouldn't slip and over shoot the end of the button hole. Another way is to fold the button hole and make a slit, then put your scissors in and cut but I find the ripper method a little more accurate. There is also a manual button hole punch that is made. You just put your button hole under it, punch it and it will cut the hole for you. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Sew Granny-Like
Date: 01-28-2005, 12:45 AM (5 of 7)
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Thanks Sable, Mother in Law, and Paroper! I really appreciate your advice. What about when the hole is made and it looks raggedy? Is that usual too? I wish it were easier to make those ole button holes!
Sew Granny-Like
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User: Sew Granny-Like
Member since: 10-13-2004 Total posts: 23
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From: sable
Date: 01-28-2005, 02:27 AM (6 of 7)
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I usually find this is because when I sewed the buttonhole it was slightly off grain, so when I cut the buttonhole open it is also off grain resulting in tags of thread trying to escape. There isn't much you can do about this, aside from practice to get things right on grain, and even then the odd one will slip through. I do find sometimes using fray check can make things look a little tidier once you've trimmed the worst offenders off. I do suggest testing fray check on a scrap of your fashion fabric first as it does stiffen the fabric which may not be ideal on some fabrics. One other thing that can cause this is if you've trimmed the stitching on the buttonhole when you cut it open. This happens more frequently if there's not much gap between the two legs of your buttonhole. If this happens you need to resew over the affected area (I use the buttonhole settings on the machine, making sure to use the right portion of the stitch for the side I'm on, and also to use the fastening stitch at the end). Hope this helps |
User: sable
Member since: 01-10-2005 Total posts: 76
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From: MartySews
Date: 01-28-2005, 08:59 AM (7 of 7)
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For neater buttonholes, you may want to use a stabilizer under the fabric. I use a buttonhole cutter and start in the middle working to the outer edge. I also love bound buttonholes. Until I got my current machine 2 years ago, I did all of my buttonholes by hand using a satin stitch that I learned in an embroidery class. It takes a lot of practice to get a good, clean buttonhole. Even the RTW ones are ragged and have pulled threads. I usually have to re-stitch them every time. Happy Stitching! Marty 
It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
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