I am extremely grouchy at the moment. Baby Bernina has let me down. When I picked her up, the dealer told me how
much I was going to love the buttonhole feature. Well, ha-ha joke was on her – I cannot
remember the last time I used a machine to make a buttonhole.
However, the project I am currently working on has two
interior buttonholes that will not show, and I thought this would be the
perfect opportunity to use the fabulous buttonhole option on my lovely machine.
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| Trusty Bound Buttonholes |
Turns out, the joke is on me, because my machine will NOT make an automatic buttonhole. I have
watched online tutorials and read the instructions, but no matter what I do,
that silly little “A” does not appear on the screen after I stop and press the
Quick Reverse Button - the machine cannot seem get past the reverse straight stitch to make the second leg of the
buttonhole.
I turned it off and back on,
hoping for the best. It still will not
work properly.
I am so frustrated that I just used the Quick Reverse Button each
time I came to the end to complete the buttonholes. It works, but so much for ease of use and
consistency with the automatic buttonhole attachment. I would scrap the whole foot, but no other
option was included.
This is why I do not trust machine made buttonholes.
Has anyone else come across this issue? I decided to step away from the machine
before I do something that I will regret, like slap her silly.
I really do not enjoy when machines do not do what they are
supposed to do. Aargh!!
Have you ever had one of those weeks? I would really like to finish the dress, but
I am afraid to touch anything else at this point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI1xLGEzDxA
ReplyDeleteLaura Mae,
Did you select stitch #10? Thread the bobbin through the finger? Something preceding the "A" appearing may the culprit. Please watch the first 90 seconds of the video; the cause of your sewing woes may be something implied in the instructions but mentioned in the video.
THAT fabric was a find, and your covered buttons are nothing short of fabulous. One can see you in an up 'doo, posing with an elbow straw planted firmly in a festively colored beverage. Perhaps some cloth covered button earings could be worn with the ensemble?
You simply cannot, must not, give up. Though some may chortle otherwise, your sewing victories have always been hard fought and well deserved.
Get back on that horse and show us your endless supply of gumption!
I tried #10 and fixed the bobbin, but it is still giving me grief - I am going to stick with my old fashioned method for now!
DeleteAnd I was having trouble finding earrings - buttons are a fabulous thought!
Mercury is in retrograde for 2 more days. The one of those weeks will end then.
ReplyDeleteThat is good to hear! I may just be able to handle a couple more days!
DeleteOh my, fabulous fabric, sweet buttons and belt!
ReplyDeleteYou must not give up! I knew this was B5747 the minute I saw that dickey, and I've so been wanting to see that one made up. Take a breath, take a day, refresh and reset. Looking forward to the finished dress!
ReplyDeleteI have to relearn the buttonhole feature on my Bernina every time I need to make a button hole. I spend a long time figuring this out and sometimes it does not work. Take the machine back to the Bernina store and make them teach you how to do it!
ReplyDeleteIf you have a Bernina with the automatic buttonhole foot that has the eye, the foot may need to be cleaned or calibrated. The cleaning you can do by wiping off the 'eye'. The calibration, your Bernina tech can do.
ReplyDeleteThat is the foot that came with the machine. Thank you for the suggestion! When I feel calm enough to try again, I will keep that in mind!
Deleteoh that sucks. i always have very little luck with mine...even on my newer machine sometimes it does strange things. then i do a practice one and it works..then the real one and it doesnt. it is incredibly frustrating and i hope urs turn out eventually!
ReplyDeleteRuffles, that's exactly what kept happening to me: several test buttonholes, then they always mess up on the garment. I was searching for a dedicated buttonholer, which exists but they are meant for the industrial market with a price tag to match, when I found out about vintage Singers with buttonhole attachment. Works perfect first time, every time.
DeleteI have had several sewing machines, including my top of the line Husqvarna Viking, and none of them have ever done a good buttonhole. I was complaining about them on the pattern review site and someone said the best buttonholers are on vintage singers, preferably the 15-91. So, the hunt was on! I found a beautiful one, with the buttonhole attachment, and it does lovely, consistent buttonholes EVERYTIME. I got the sewing machine with attachments, cabinet and stool, all in near perfect condition, for $275. An extremely reasonable price for perfect buttonholes. I get giddy every time I need to do a buttonhole.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Brenda -- not literally, of course.
ReplyDeletehahahaha Good one.
DeleteCount me as another one who uses a vintage machine for buttonholes, I have a Singer 501a set up with the buttonholer attached and use that machine just for buttonholes. It makes a better buttonhole than my Bernina 180 and having it permanently set up is a real time saver. I also use a laser cross hair light to place them perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI am a devoted Singer fan, I have 3 of the Slant Needle models and they have the buttonhole attachment with the metal templates for choosing size. They make the BEST buttonholes, including the keyhole buttonhole for coats. I will never part with my Singers. Also they have great punching power for heavy fabrics.
ReplyDeleteI have a janome and use the auto machine buttonhole setting and never seem to be very satisfied with the results.
ReplyDeleteAny tips on doing them by hand?
Also, your covered belt looks fantastic!
Any tips? I have the supplies but have been weary to try it out.
Love this dress!
ReplyDeleteJust so you know you're not alone, my newer Pfaff also fails in the auto buttonhole department. I think it measures distance by number of zigs, so that what it thinks is the same length buttonhole can vary by half an inch or so. when using the Pfaff, I just use the manual option for buttonhole length. I also have an old Zenith that I use with an attached Singer buttonholer. Iit's great for heavy-thread topstitching too. - Karen