When I was a kid learning to sew, it never occurred to me that people sewed buttons on by hand. Mom wasn't in the room the first time I got to a button, so I grabbed the button, adjusted the width of the zig zag, set the stitch length to zero, and carefully sewed it on. Mom had a fit when she got into the room, thought for a minute, and decided to start doing it that way herself.
Howdy!
Precocious, even as a child.
R/Sandy - hand-y button-er
The "secret" to doing buttons on the machine.... the first couple of stitches you do by turning the hand wheel. Make sure the stitch width is set so the needle goes into the two holes. Then just hit the pedal, slowly for a few stitches. Easy to make designs of various types with 3 and 4 hole buttons too. Newer machines may actually have a "button" setting (many buttons are standardized as to the width between the holes regardless of size of button.) Just make sure the feed dogs are down, or the stitch length is set to "0". Been doing buttons on the machine for many more years than I have been quilting.
Pati, > Me too, Ginger! I've had a machine that would do it for years, but have
Mary, I always seat the needle through one of the holes of the button before I lower the pressure foot. But the foot is actually off the machine, I just lower the ankle onto the button. Have a "button sewing" foot, but don't usually use it. And try using a toothpick instead of a needle for a spacer. Not as dangerous if it does get hit by the needle.
Pati, > Sunny wrote:
YUCK -- :-))) NO TOOTHPICK -- LOLOL I just don't like them. Besides, once I get the button started -- by turning the mechanism by hand for the first few stitches as you mention -- I don't sew quickly.
**Before** I got my sculpture nails, I didn't need to use any sort of tricks like the glue stick unless I wanted to get all of my buttons set on the fabric at the same time. With the sculpts, it's almost mandatory for me to use the glue stick. I do have some sort of lobotomized button sewing foot I could use but I'm so used to the glue stick that's it's just easier :-). Now that I think about it, I'm a lot like Ginger and do my buttons by hand if I only have a few. My machine is always set up on the table so that's not the reason, I guess I just don't mind doing a few of them by hand! Likely comes from all that embroidery I am always doing -- a few buttons added to the mix aren't a big deal and I don't have to change out the thread on my machine! Go figure -- I would rather sew buttons on by hand than change the spool and bobbin thread on my machine-- and doing that isn't at all difficult!!! :-)) CiaoMeow >^;;^<
PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at
I use scotch tape and just pull it off when the button is sewn. Also use a toothpick if I need to make a button shank.
Judie
The last time I bought toothpicks the only ones I could find are the newer style that are supposedly a combination of flat and round.
Judie
I use lots and lots of toothpicks. They are one of the staples in my cleaning supplies and are handy for many cleaning chores. I started using a toothpick to clean between the kitchen sink and the metal strip that goes between the sink and the counter and then branched out to where I wouldn't be without toothpicks. Even after the tip breaks off they sort of turn into a little brush. Scratchless too!
Judie
There is always at least one wooden toothpick in with my hand appliqué project. They are very useful for poking in corners, because the wood seems to "grab" the little thread ends and get them in place better than the needle does.
Julia in MN
And that's the reason I don't particularly like them for any sort of sewing! I'd much rather use a darning needle -- VERY carefully if working at a sewing machine. As for cleaning thos little bitty places
-- I love toothpicks :-). They are the best for getting gunk out from around the drain ring where it is set into the bottom of the kitchen sink! If I have been off on a trip somewhere for any length of time, DH seems to forget that you should actually use a cleanser and actually scrub the sink now and again -- LOLOL! I have ruined many a toothpick cleaning the kitchen sink after returning from a 2 week trip to visit DD & the SMDGD -- LOLOL! CiaoMeow >^;;^<
PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at
I happen to have a huge amount of toothpicks on hand at the moment, so I just put a box of the flat ones into my plastic box of miscellaneous sewing stuff! I have this terrible habit of running out of something I don't buy very often, like toothpicks or sandwich baggies or even tissue, and remembering to buy it the "next time" I'm at the store -- and I buy it at least 3 or 4 times, so I'm almost swimming in toothpicks or baggies or whatever.
i use them, but i use the round ones for buttons sewn on the machine. i do like them for removing the gunk too! LOL! i also like them for getting the garlic that's stuck out of my garlic press holes. i never thought to use them for my applique!!! you learn something new everyday!
thanks, gals!
amy in CNY
i thot i read all the responses to this thread, must of missed the one about toothpicks and applique tho. can you enlighten me on how that works? j.
"amy in CNY" wrote... i use them, but i use the round ones for buttons sewn on the machine. i do like them for removing the gunk too! LOL! i also like them for getting the garlic that's stuck out of my garlic press holes. i never thought to use them for my applique!!! you learn something new everyday!
thanks, gals!
amy in CNY
ah ha, why do these threads of posts separate, grrrr. now i see what the toothpicks and applique are about. j.
"Julia in MN" wrote... There is always at least one wooden toothpick in with my hand appliqué project. They are very useful for poking in corners, because the wood seems to "grab" the little thread ends and get them in place better than the needle does. Julia in MN
I do that too, with a vengance. Currently I have about a gallon of almond extract in assorted types and bottle sizes, and no butter or shortening.
I do my buttons by hand, so a pin works for me. I usually go round the stitches under the button with the thread a couple of times too.
NightMist
LOL I us them to clean my garlic press too Amy.
Dee in Oz
"amy in CNY" wrote
Only way to go. Set zigzag the width of the holes in your burron. Lockstitch at beginning and at end. Hine. Use scotch tape to hold the button perfectly in place. The button will be easier to fasten if you don't sew it on too tightly. Laying a stiletto or toothpick between the holes will leave a thread shaft. Enjoy!
anthony
beats me, i'm still wondering if burron was a typo, should of been button. but hine has me mystify'd too. i await the answer from afar. j.
"Polly Esther" wrote... I'm so tired, I reckon I'm a bit goofy. Will somebody help me with 'hine'? Polly
"anth> Only way to go. Set zigzag the width of the holes in your burron.
maybe hine is also a typo and should be Fine? just a thot. j.
"jeanne-nzlstar*" wrote... beats me, i'm still wondering if burron was a typo, should of been button. but hine has me mystify'd too. i await the answer from afar. j.
"Polly Esther" wrote... I'm so tired, I reckon I'm a bit goofy. Will somebody help me with 'hine'? Polly
"anth> Only way to go. Set zigzag the width of the holes in your burron.
Julia wrote this: There is always at least one wooden toothpick in with my hand appliqué project. They are very useful for poking in corners, because the wood seems to "grab" the little thread ends and get them in place better than the needle does.
Julia in MN
Hope that helps Debra
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