Machine sewing buttons (rant!)

Sarah Dale · 2005-03-14T20:41:14+00:00

Hi All,Just had to vent. I was using my machine at the weekend to sew buttons on to the shirt I have very nearly finished making DH for his birthday.Once again, just as the needle came down to go through the hole in the button the little slippery b*gg*r pinged out from under the shank / foot holder at the last second - and before I could do anything the needle had hit the button and broken. And I was going at super slow snails pace.!"£$%^&*(_$%^&*()^%%^&*(£&*()_+_)*(&^%This has happened before, and seems to happen on any button that is not flat, in particular small shirt buttons (which is all I ever seem to sewn on by machine).Keeping your finger on them helps, but you can't do that all the time.Does anyone have any favourite soloutions to this problem? Or shall I get Kate to come round and give my machine a talking to?? ;-)Only 7 more buttons to go on DH's shirt!Sarah

Mar 14, 2005 27 Replies

Rate this thread:

Max Penn 21 years ago

I'm not sure what a tang is (other than that stuff the astronauts drink) but I put a needle or a toothpick or matchstick over the bridge between the holes in the button--whether sewing by hand or machine--to allow enough slack for a shank.

I've about given up on using the machine for buttons because of the problems mentioned here. Maybe there is a button sewing foot for my Viking (I've never looked) but I've dinged a few buttons and broken a needle when things have left their place without my permission.

This is one of those threads that makes this group useful to me. I had not thought of the use of an adhesive to keep the button in place and now that I have some nail polish on hand, maybe I can remember to use it on the buttons.

Max

Vote

Fay 21 years ago

"Max Penn" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@corp.supernews.com:

Tang - a projecting shank, prong, fang, or tongue. It is just built in on my button sew on foot and serves the same purpose as using a needle or a toothpick or a matchstick. Some machines just sew on buttons better than others. I've been sewing buttons on using my machine for many years and I've never hit a button.

Vote

Sarah Dale 21 years ago

Thats a brilliant idea - it would certainly reduce the tendancy of the button to go ping!

Thanks, Sarah

Vote

Pampeliska 21 years ago

Sarah,

keep trying!

Me, I 've got a lot of patience, beeing not a professional seamstress. Everytime teaching something new, thanks this group as well. I would never, never more sew my buttons on by hand. :) Less pressure on the foot and even the thickest button on a shirt goes under the machine. Do you mind to lose a needle or are your buttons too expensive? Than use your hand stitch, of course.

Suzan from Amsterdam

Vote

Barbara Raper 21 years ago

Have you tried holding them on with clear tape? I do this with flat buttons. Barbara in rainey FL

Vote

Victoria Hirt 21 years ago

I like sewing on buttons by machine (It's an emotional defect ;-)

Glue. I love the basting spray, fabric glue sticks, etc. They are wonderful especially when it comes to making things stay for a few minutes so you can sew it down.

A glass of great w>Hi All,

Vote

Sarah Dale 21 years ago

Just had to let you all know, I tried reducing the foot pressure and the clear tape idea on the remaining buttons on DH's shirt - and they went on like a dream!

Thank you one and all for saving my sanity and lots of broken machine needles!

Sarah

Vote