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Member since 8/26/16
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Posted on: 2/7/18 3:44 PM ET
I've sewn some nice practice buttonholes with my new machine. But they're big. The bar tacks show on either end of the button once fastened.

I cannot find anywhere in the manual where it would show how to make a smaller buttonhole. The button is placed in the foot for sizing, so maybe there's no option to change the length of the buttonhole. ?

I prefer smaller buttonholes that don't stick out on either end of the button. Is this just going to have to be the new normal?

Thanks, as always, for your help.
  
Member since 8/26/16
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Posted on: 2/7/18 3:48 PM ET
So I've just answered my own question: make the buttonhole smaller by taking the button out of the foot and eyeballing how much smaller I would like it. Then sew with no button in it.

Which negates placing the button in it to begin with.

Guess the question is why does the machine make such oversized buttonholes?!
  
Member since 5/28/11
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Posted on: 2/7/18 4:45 PM ET
In reply to vivmom63
Haha I think it the choice of a sewer. I like slightly bigger than my button. Glad you figured this out.
  
Member since 12/2/08
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Posted on: 2/8/18 0:40 AM ET
In reply to vivmom63
The buttonhole foot that you put the button in makes the size like RTW does, slightly larger than the button. That way the wearer does not stretch out the buttonhole and it gives a little room to avoid puckers when all the buttons are buttoned. (As in a shirt with many vertical buttons on a placket.) But if you don't like that you could use a button from your stash that is slightly smaller to place in the foot. That way they will be all be the same size. Of course if it's just one button, who cares?
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Member since 6/10/10
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Posted on: 2/8/18 12:15 PM ET
In reply to vivmom63
If the bar tacks don't show, that means the opening must be smaller than the button, so you'll have to stretch the hole to get the button on and off, if you can even stretch it that much at all. It may look better but doesn't seem like a great idea to me but I'm open to being convinced.

The sources I've read all recommend the opening a bit (1/16" or 1/8") larger than the button (to have room to accommodate the button height) and then the bar tacks will be beyond that. So not only would the bartacks show when buttoned, but possibly even a little bit of the buttonhole stitches as well (how much depends on how you stitched the button on. 4-hole would be less likely to show since the buttonhole has to go around the button stitches., etc.)
  
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