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Member since 10/4/03
Posts: 197
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Posted on: 4/29/09 6:25 PM ET
I got a Greist buttonholer for $6.99 on ebay... at that price you can't lose right? I have a Bernina 1008 and a Janome Sew Precise. With the Bernina I also have the 'short shank adaptor'.

I fiddled around with my new toy this afternoon but am not sure about how it's supposed to fit. Do any of you have any hints, suggestions or warnings?

Thanks,
Connie
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 7941
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Posted on: 4/29/09 7:56 PM ET
In reply to librarylady
What would you like to know? I love this buttonholer; it makes better buttonholes than any of my newer machines. I'll try to answer your possible questions.
1. Make sure you have the feed dogs dropped or covered.
2. Use a very strong screw to hold the buttonholer on, as it will move back and forth.
3. The templates that fit into the buttonholer are not the same size on each end; one end is narrower, and you will notice small ''tabs'' on the sides. This is what helps to place the template in the machine correctly.
4. You will have to move the silver carrier (inside the buttonholer) around to let the template fall in. Try to match the cogs of the template with the cogs on the carrier.
5. When working with thick fabrics, or knits or sheer fabrics, insert a piece of plastic such as template plastic or what you would find in a wallet for pictures, on top of your fabric to protect it (the bottom of the plate for the buttonhole has teeth on it and might snag the fabric.)
6. When you are ready to sew your buttonholes, move the lever on the right side so that the plate will move forward and start your buttonhole there. This way, you will know where it's starting and stopping.
7. The markings on the plate are used as a guide for your buttonhole markings. These things are great!
8. You might have an eyelet template in your buttonholer box. This is a green template and has just a hole in it. This is great when you are making holes for laces (ask me how I know this...back in the 70's I put laces up the side of my jeans and the eyelet template was a life saver...)
9. I don't know what you need to set your stitches at; I set mine at 2.5 to 3 for width, and a normal stitch length.
10. Use a strong needle, like one size up what you would use normally, for the buttonholes.

Did I miss something? I have a short shank buttonholer I'd like to sell (all my zigzag machines are a different shank), so if you want two, let me know.
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Member since 6/18/08
Posts: 2609
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Posted on: 4/29/09 8:58 PM ET
I have used a Griest buttonholer with a Bernina 930, which is very similar to the 1008. You have to make an alteration to it in order to get it to fit on the machine.

I'm guessing that this Griest buttonholer was made for zig-zag machines, and has a plastic casing. If it does, you need to take off the casing and saw it in half crosswise, replace the half of the casing that hangs out the back of the machine.

If the Griest is an older variety, with a metal casing, I believe you can remove the casing completely.

Yes, it's ugly, but it still works. And it enables you to make better buttonholes than your machine currently offers.
-- Edited on 4/29/09 8:59 PM --
  
Member since 10/4/03
Posts: 197
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Posted on: 4/30/09 7:17 AM ET
In reply to Miss Fairchild
Many thanks, Beth. I'll try out my new toy with your clear directions in front of me. I'm also wondering if I do need a short shank buttonholer so I may be getting back to you.

Thanks again for your wonderful directions.

Connie
  
Member since 6/18/08
Posts: 2609
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Posted on: 4/30/09 2:37 PM ET
Bernina makes a short shank adapter. Also, you will most likely have to make the alteration to the buttonholer casing, that I described above, to get it to fit on the machine.
  
Member since 10/4/03
Posts: 197
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Posted on: 5/1/09 5:28 PM ET
In reply to Soolip
Thanks Soolip. I see what you mean... will now proceed cautiously to remove casing.

Thanks again.

Connie
  
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