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Monday, March 30, 2009

Am I a sewing brat and sewing buttons by machine

Last night while making the buttonholes on a jacket I was complaining (on the phone to a friend) that I don't like how my main machine makes buttonholes. It makes a horizontal buttonhole toward the center front instead of away. I loved how my Singer 6268 make buttonholes but alas, it died an untimely death last year after more than 20 years of faithful service. I already had the Brother ULT2001 so the Singer was already relegated to backup status. To replace the 6268 which was an electronic, I got a used 6235 which is mechanical. The 6235 can use all of the feet and accessories that I amassed over the years for the 6268.

Last night I decided to dust off the 6235 and make buttonholes. Was I in for a rude awakening. Although I've had the machine nearly a year, I've never had to use it. I immediately started complaining about the machine being loud, not having an automatic needle threader, built in cutter, only one type of buttonhole, which I couldn't initially figure out, and on and on. She had the nerve to call me a sewing brat! What! Me?? Never! Okay, maybe. I spent about $4000 on the ULT so of course I expect a lot. Actually for that kind of cheese it should be sewing me a wardrobe while I sleep! When I'm sewing I want everything convenient and within arms reach. If there is a foot to do a particular thing, I use it. I get the most out of my machines. And yes I have two sergers. One is always threaded with black thread, one with white. One has differential feed, the other one is used if I want to do a rolled hem. I have a designated sewing studio that has all the comforts I need including laptop, TV, VCR, DVD player and stereo. If that makes me a sewing brat, it suits me just fine!


Speaking of sewing feet. I even sew my buttons on on the machine. Of course shank button can't be sewn on the machine and unless it's a button I love, I steer clear. Even when sewing buttons on by machine you have to create a shank of sorts. First attach the appropriate foot. Either drop the feed dogs, change stitch length to zero or cover feed dogs with the appropriate cover. Position the button. Lower the presser foot to hold in place. Select and adjust the zig zag stitch to the correct width to attach button. Before you start to sew place a sewing machine needle over the little bridge between the holes on the button. Manually turn the wheel a couple of times to make sure the alignment is correct. I usually count about eight movements of the needle over the loose sewing machine needle. Stop. Change back to straight stitching. Remove the loose needle. Make sure the needle is lined up with one of the holes. Sew 3 or 4 stitches to secure the threads. Cut thread. One thing I can say about the Brother buttonholer is that it has a little finger on it that creates a shank for you. Hmmmmm...I may have to try to like it after all.

8 comments:

  1. Sounds like you are well equipped, which is a very good thing. I'd like to have things within arms reach, but haven't organized that well yet. I bet I walk miles around this little room when I really get to sewing.

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  2. I think it sounds like you are a SEWNG QUEEN instead of a sewing brat. I'm very jealous of your set up, just so you know. If you want it and can have it it's my philosophy that you should have it!!

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  3. We need pictures of this sewing fantasy land to be sufficiently jealous. I am the same way about my sewing area, a place for everything and everything in its place.

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  4. Nice jacket. Sewing buttons is an awful chore seems like by machine it's a dream.

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  5. You really know your stuff. I have only tried my button hole option on my Bernina once to date.

    Thanks for the DVD tip on my blog. I will order them for sure.

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  6. I'm always jealous of people who sew their buttons on by machine! I've never had the patience to make it work!!!

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  7. Hello,
    Do you still have your Singer 6268 manual? I have a used one and it seems to have come with just about everything (except the manual and more than one bobbin -_-). It is the fanciest machine I've ever had (I've had five in six years and run all but the last two to the ground) and I'd love to learn how to use the buttonholer and the embroidery tool. I'd really appreciate any help you'd be able to give me.

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  8. Endoftheworld98 send me a email privately. I'm not sure if I still have the manual for the 6268 but can probably walk you through anything you probably need to know. Also I still have the embroidery unit as well as 4 or 5 cartridges and a dozen or so bobbins. Your are welcome to them all for free. Just let me know.

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