For years, I used a very basic sewing machine that I purchased from Target or someplace like that. It came with a zipper foot and that’s about it. I wasn’t making clothing at that point and didn’t have a big need for “accessories.” When the machine ran out of steam last year, I purchased a nicer model, which came with many accessories. I haven’t experimented very much with most of them, BUT I am totally smitten with the button and buttonhole accessories. The button sewing foot is probably old news to you, but just in case you have a basic machine without a lot of accessories, I wanted to tell you about this handy little sewing foot. You can pick one up for just a few dollars, here is one, for example.
The button sewing foot is a little rubber two-pronged deal. It holds the button in place on your project and makes sewing buttons on a 10-second cinch! Place the button and garment under the button foot.
Set your machine on a zig zag stitch.
Lower the feed dogs so that the garment and button are not pulled through the machine and everything stays right in place.
Using the hand wheel, lower the needle into the hole on the button; continue to crank the hand wheel so that the needle lifts back up and over. As the needle begins to descend again, adjust the width of the zig zag stitch to make sure that the needle enters the other hole on the button. You don’t want to hit the button with your needle as it will most likely break – and that’s not fun or quick!
When you’re stitch width is correctly adjusted, you can press down the presser foot to quickly finish multiple stitches. If the button has four holes, simply lift the button foot, move the garment, and repeat the process for the second set of holes. (you can see that I put a few too many stitches in the top set of holes – too busy trying to take a picture, run the machine, and maintain a conversation with Grace at the same time)
So easy!! This sure beats sewing buttons on by hand! Now, if there was only a machine accessory to do shank buttons!
Comments & Reviews
nest full of eggs says
I have a buttonhole sewing foot that came with my sewing machine, but I still haven’t tried it
Stef says
We should go over the buttonhole foot next – it’s magic!!! You must give it a try!
Deanne says
Do they unravel easily like shop bought clothes buttons do sometimes?
Stef says
I haven’t had any problems – you can put in quite a few stitches before the thread gets too bulky. The buttons are really secure for very little effort!
Anne says
Lovely blog, and great post! I’m a new follower!
♥
Anne
Jessica at Me Sew Crazy says
the buttonhole sewing foot may be my favorite thing that came out of PR&P – I pulled it out and forced myself to learn how to use it for one of the challenges, and haven’t stopped since. I use it for all of my buttons now!!! I Love it!!! Glad you are encouraging others to use it as well!!!