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Automatic Buttonholes vs. One Step Buttonholes is there a difference?
blacksneakers Advanced Beginner TX Member since 5/8/12 Posts: 7	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/14/12 1:58 AM I have been researching sewing machines, and wondered if there is a difference between "Automatic Buttonhole" and "One Step Buttonhole" features... And whether there is or not, what is your experience with them. Do they work well? Are they finicky etc... Thanks so much.. ------ Thanks so much!!!!
nancy2001   Advanced AL USA Member since 12/3/05 Posts: 6117	Login to reply to this post In reply to blacksneakers << 2 members like this. Date: 5/14/12 2:22 AM One step buttonholes and automatic buttonholes are the same. I own a $2,000+ computerized Viking that's a wonderful machine, but its automatic buttonhole feature doesn't work consistently, and that's a common problem even with high end machines. It may surprise you to learn that the old fashioned Singer or Greist buttonholer attachments that fit vintage mechanical machines do a much better job of sewing buttonholes than computerized machines because the buttonholer attachment sews them precisely and consistently. For this reason, I like many other people have purchased a second, inexpensive vintage mechanical machine and set it up as a "dedicated buttonholer station." Ebay has hundreds of these devices for sale at any given time, and you can buy them for ten to twenty dollars depending on the number of templates they include (each template sews a different size and style of buttonhole). There are two basic types of buttonholers: one that works only with zig zag machines and the other that works with both straight stitch and zig zag. It's best to buy your vintage sewing machine before you buy your buttonholer so you can be sure they're compatible. It's also best to buy a vintage machine that can drop its feed dogs so you won't need to use an external feed dog cover. Hope this helps. ------ The essence of life is statistical improbability on a colossal scale. Richard Dawkins
Sew4Fun Advanced AUSTRALIA Member since 6/23/04 Posts: 4838	Login to reply to this post In reply to blacksneakers << Like this post Date: 5/14/12 5:06 AM Yes they are the same. Automatic buttonholes can also be finicky, with some machines being better than others. However all machines will have issues when things like lumpy seams and edges are involved so it's good to check how a machine does manual buttonholes. Some modern machines are exceptionally good in this area and others aren't so good. Buttonholes, both manual and automatic is an area where different brands and models differ greatly so test, test, test. ------ Belinda. Melbourne, Australia http://sew-4-fun.blogspot.com/
lisalu Advanced Beginner GA USA Member since 10/5/08 Posts: 1787	Login to reply to this post In reply to nancy2001 << 1 member likes this. Date: 5/14/12 9:30 AM +1 I am a BIG fan of the "automatic" buttonholer I use on my vintage mechanical machines. Beautiful buttonholes every time, unsurpassed by any built in buttonhole feature on any machine that I've ever seen! I've actually sold a couple of these buttonholers recently myself since they seem to come with every vintage machine I buy and I soon had half a dozen of them. I sold them for about $15/each. The ones that are for low shank machines (which includes most vintage straight stitch Singers) seem to to be the most readily available. The machines themselves are pretty easy to come by too. A pre-1960's era Singer could run you in the $50 range on CL (more on eBay plus they are quite heavy which will cost you in shipping charges). Another bonus, these vintage straight stitchers make great dedicated top stitching machines too! -- Edited on 5/14/12 9:32 AM -- ------ Margaret (Singer 201-2), Betty (Singer 15-91), Bud (Singer 503), Kathy (Singer 221), Liz (Singer 221 Centennial Edition) http://runningstitches-mkb.blogspot.com/
blacksneakers Advanced Beginner TX Member since 5/8/12 Posts: 7	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/14/12 7:33 PM Oh this is good info. I do currently own a vintage singer with the buttonhole attachment and used it many times. I am in the market for a new machine, but plan on keeping the singer. So maybe I can have the best of both worlds.. Thank you all for the input, it really has helped me... ------ Thanks so much!!!!
momtoesther Intermediate Member since 2/13/11 Posts: 69	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/14/12 9:19 PM I have a Husquvarna Viking Emerald 183 and the 1 step buttonhole is tempermental at best. Any time it has to go near a seam it 'senses' that the buttonhole is finished and stops. I've had more luck with doing it maually (4 step) on my old white 1477.

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