jitkaau

Two folded strips of material, butted against each other. Then sew into the main piece which has a slot in it to accommodate the piece. Stitch around the shape and turn inside out - it looks like a bound button hole - very tailored. You can top stitch after that, to make sure it stays in place.

butterflywing

what is it doing wrong? are the side edges stretching out of shape or are the stitches bunching up or what?

asmmauer

Wendy are you using interfacing? Sometimes I would have trouble with my buttonhole kind of getting caught in my machine from lack of stabilizer,

Judie

I've made thousands of button holes. First thing to do is quit working on the bag.. Instead make up a sample using the same fabric, same number of layers, interfacing, whatever you'll be sewing through.. Practice on that until you can get a button hole you like.

I mark my button holes on scotch transparent tape.. I lay the button on a piece of tape and make a short line on each side of the button.. then connect those two lines with a line through the middle.. That gives you the perfect size for your button hole (unless you are using a very thick button, then it needs to be a tad longer) If your bag is stretchy, like fleece or a knit you'll need to put a bit of stabilizer inside to help keep your fabric from stretching. I usually stabilize most any button hole anyway, it just gives them more strength. Next place your marked tape exactly where you want your button hole.

If you are making the button hole manually, then you'll need to set your machine for a very narrow zig-zag, and a very short stitch length.. zig-zag next to the center line from one end to the other. Lift the pressure foot, and move to the other side of the line, zig-zagging down the other side of the line, but leave a couple thread widths open down the center.. Stop when the lines are equal in length.. Next set your sttich length to "0" and the width to be as wide as both lines of stitching.. You'll be making a bar tack on the end and want the ends of the lines covered.. When you get the width wide enough take about 5 or 6 stithes back and forth.. end by turning your stitch width to 0 also and take a couple of stitches in one place to knot your threads. Go down to the other end of the button hole and bar-tack that end also.. Stitch right through the tape.. It will pull right off when you're finished and makes it very easy to see just exactly where your button hole is going to be and just how long each side needs to be...

I agree, if you can find an old Singer Buttonholer attachment, it is well worth the price you have to pay for one.. They are not expensive and make very very nice button holes.

If you're still having trouble I would suggest you try a new needle... make sure it is the correct size and type. Also make sure you are holding your threads at the back of the machine when you start stitching.. You can also loosen the top tension a tiny bit to insure that the top thread is pulled to the underside, makes the top look very smooth.

Sorry this is long, I hope it's helpful. If none of those things help, try taking your bag to someplace that does alterations, 1 buttonhole shouldn't be too much and may be cheap compared with the aggravation!!

Wendys Quilts

wow wow wow everyone! So much great advice. I am going to try and work on the bag again today. I have been putting it off, just because I didnt want to fight it hahaha. When I first started trying to put the button hole in it the other day, it would start off stitching fine, with the buttonhole foot attached, and then it would stop. Like the feed dogs were not moving the fabric. And it would just sit there. Which is weird, because it started off moving and then would quit. And where it stopped at, there was like a nest of thread under the material.

So yesterday as I was starting a new quilted jacket, I noticed that the fabric didnt seem to be walking as I was sewing. I looked at the feed dogs and they didnt look right. I figeted with them for a minute and the feeddogs popped back up.!!! SOOOOO, I am wondering that must have been it. I will try again today. Lets keep our fingers crossed hahahaha

I told my husband about all the responses that i have had from this post. He said he was amazed at the responses and how much everyone is here to help. This is the best boaord EVER! Thank you all again. :)

harley

sorry no help here i stay away from that button hole button too

kwiltkrazy

Here is how I use to do it when I did not have a fancy machine to do it for me. I drew a line the exact length I needed it to be(in the correct spot for the button), then made sure the zigzag was at the correct size. Using a zipper foot I would start at the bottom of the line, lining my zipper foot up on the drawn line, sew all the way to the end of the line, make a 90degree turn stitch a 1/4 inch of zigzags, make another turn(90) and just finish as already done, it always worked for me. Good luck. I would probably make a couple of practice ones. But, it is very easy to do.

drgranny

Me too!