Creating a Buttonhole Using a Sewing Machine

Written By: Brittany McCrigler
  • Comments: 2
Creating a Buttonhole Using a Sewing Machine

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

11

Time Required

15 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to create a buttonhole with your sewing machine. We’re using a Bernina 830, but the process should be similar for all sewing machines with a mechanical buttonhole dial. Since every sewing machine is different, refer to your sewing machine’s owner’s manual for specific information. In this guide we’re using contrasting thread for visibility. When it comes time for your actual project, you’ll want to use thread that matches the color of your fabric.

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    • Select your buttonhole foot. Buttonhole feet can vary in appearance, so check you manual.

    • Thread the buttonhole foot by sliding the thread through the diagonal slit into the center hole.

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    • Mark where you would like the top and bottom of the buttonhole to be with tailor's chalk.

    • You can measure your button if you aren't sure.

    • Align the sewing machine at the upper left corner of the buttonhole.

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    • Set your stitch length dial to nearly zero, this will create a satin stitch. The usual stitch length is around the 2.5.

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    • Set your button hole dial to one. If you have an electronic sewing machine, refer to your manual.

    • Every time you adjust this dial, your needle will move. That's okay; it's supposed to do that.

    • Start sewing. Sew to your second line.

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    • Set your button hole dial to two.

    • Sew the bar tack at the bottom of the buttonhole.

    • Setting the button hole dial to two tells your sewing machine what to do, all you need to do is sew a few stitches to create the bar tack.

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    • Set your buttonhole dial to three.

    • Sew up the second side of your buttonhole, stopping at your top mark.

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    • Set your buttonhole dial to four.

    • Sew the top bar tack at the top of the buttonhole.

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    • Set your buttonhole dial to five.

    • This setting backstitches to hold the thread in place. Sew a few more stitches, which will finish the buttonhole.

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    • Clip the threads, freeing the fabric from the machine.

    • Clip any extra loose threads.

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    • Use a hobby knife to cut open the buttonhole.

    • Be careful not to cut through the stitching, you only want to cut the fabric between the rows of stitching.

Author

Brittany McCrigler

Member since: 05/03/12

89257 Reputation

2 comments

I got up to position (!) 2 ok, then when I tried to go back up on position 3 it didn't work and just chewed up my fabric. Is it supposed to go backwards, or are you supposed to turn the fabric around? Did I do something wrong?

Holly -

The same thing happened to me when I first tried this too, Holly.

I discovered that I was over-stitching position 2.

Now, I do a maximum 3 stitches only, before I go on to position 3 and everything works beautifully. I don’t have to turn the fabric around - position 3 stitches in reverse, and I finish off with a couple of stitches in position 2, to top off the button-hole.

I hope this helps!

Roszarie -