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Member since 7/18/05
Posts: 576
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Posted on: 5/5/06 8:10 PM ET
So I've never had to deal with more than 3 feet and a few knobs before...

I've been trying to make a buttonhole on this dang thing... and the manual isn't helpful, and my dealer is "remodeling"... so it's up to you guys.

I have the 3 and the 3C feet. I don't have 3A.

When I set up the buttonhole, and depress the pedal, it doesn't feed the fabric. I've tried changing stitch length. The feed dogs are up. I'm using a stabilizer.

I've tried the 'counted' method with foot #3.

I've tried the 'auto' method wit foot #3C.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

What is Wrong?????
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My website: http://www.twistedangel.org
Instagram: https://instagram.com/twistedangelorg
Inventory: Bernina 830e, Juki TL2000Qi, Babylock Ovation, Babylock Evolution, Bernina 1150mda, Singer 206k, Singer 221 Featherweight (1941), Singer 128-23 Centennial - Blackside Godzilla, Singer 128 La Vencedora, Singer 128 Roccoco, Singer 27 Memphis (aka Sphinx), Singer 9W Custom (Rose Gold, Black decal)
  
Member since 11/11/03
Posts: 1773
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Posted on: 5/5/06 8:25 PM ET
Perhaps it's broken?

One other idea: Is it working when you do a different stitch? If it's not working in general it could be because the bobbin threader thingy (the latch that snaps up after your bobbin is completely threaded) is in the down position. This is based on my experience with my Bernina which is not the same but is similar to yours.

  
Member since 2/28/05
Posts: 2181
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Posted on: 5/5/06 9:10 PM ET
In reply to twistedangel
You won't need the 3A foot -- it is the same as 3C but narrow.....to fit a 5mm wide stitch machine.

Assuming your machine works on other stitches you can conclude that the feeddogs are working OK, so maybe there is something wrong with the foot. Somehow the foot and dogs aren't working together to make the fabric move. Check out the bottom of your 3C foot - it should have 2 rows of black rubber like gripper stuff on the bottom of the foot that will align with the dogs to create enough tension to move the fabric through.

Good luck - when you get it working I'm sure you will love the Bernina buttonholes.



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2012 : starting stash 386, net additions 206, used 164, ending stash 428...I'm never going to get in front of this pile of fabric!
  
Member since 7/18/05
Posts: 576
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Posted on: 5/5/06 9:31 PM ET
In reply to KathiRank
drsue,

I just got it (from a dealer), so I sure hope it isn't broken! Everything BUT the buttonhole seems to work.... (as opposed to a machine I have where ONLY the buttonhole works...) I'll triple check the bobbin anyway.

And Kathy, I did inspect the foot, and well, it looks OK to me. I'll check out the mechanics and make sure nothing in the foot is stuck.

And it seems that neither foot works, so I'm assuming I'm setting it up wrong somehow??

I have to also mention that I've tried various materials.
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My website: http://www.twistedangel.org
Instagram: https://instagram.com/twistedangelorg
Inventory: Bernina 830e, Juki TL2000Qi, Babylock Ovation, Babylock Evolution, Bernina 1150mda, Singer 206k, Singer 221 Featherweight (1941), Singer 128-23 Centennial - Blackside Godzilla, Singer 128 La Vencedora, Singer 128 Roccoco, Singer 27 Memphis (aka Sphinx), Singer 9W Custom (Rose Gold, Black decal)
  
Member since 3/19/04
Posts: 2557
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Posted on: 5/6/06 10:23 AM ET
I use the 3 foot and the manual mode. It's been the most reliable for me. The only drawback is that you have to mark both ends of the buttonhole instead of just the beginning. I can live with that. Select the buttonhole stitch, then hit MAN at the bottom of the screen. Then select 1-6 to stitch each part. (If you can't get a buttonhole this way, you really do have a problem!)

My 3C foot worked when it was new, but it eventually wore out so that it would stick and not advance, usually on the second bead. Something about going backwards and then going forward - it catches just the tiniest amount, which is enough to make the stitches pile up so that it can't move at all. And with the other auto and stitch counter modes, it didn't always end up in the correct place. So I do it the old fashioned way and it's been a lot less stress and the buttonholes look just fine.

I don't know why you've been having problems with the auto mode, though. Perhaps you need to specify the button width first?
  
Member since 3/19/04
Posts: 2557
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Posted on: 5/6/06 10:34 AM ET
One more thing - with the 3C foot, I believe that the bottom part of the foot doesn't actually move on the fabric. The "stem" just moves inside the tracks.

And I don't know why it won't move at all with the stitch counter mode. I'd try turning the machine off and on (in case it's got some auto settings that are confusing it) and try again. The 3 foot should work like any ordinary foot.
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 7614
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Posted on: 5/7/06 11:17 AM ET
I've have a devil of a time sewing buttonholes on my 170 sometimes too. The 170 is very similar, but doesn't have the wide stitch width and doesn't have directional stitches. My problem is usually that the seam allowance is under only part of the pressure foot so the pressure is uneven. The foot gets caught up on the higher bump of the seam allowance, say along the edge of a blouse, and prevents the foot from advancing. It doesn't happen when I make verticle button holes, just horizontal ones. I can never get it to sew buttonholes on the waist band extension of pants so I just use heavy duty snaps since I always wear a top over my pants.
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Visit my blog at http://sewingsaga.blogspot.com

If it's worth sewing, it's worth sewing well;
and if it's worth sewing well, it's worth FITTING FIRST! - TSL
  
Member since 9/13/03
Posts: 301
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Posted on: 5/7/06 7:36 PM ET
In reply to twistedangel
I checked my button hole feet for my machine. Both my Manual Buttonhole foot and my automatic buttonhole foot are labeled 3C - that is because they have the lens.

The manual buttonhole foot is silver and has 2 grooves underneath. When making a buttonhole with this one you have to bring up the buttonhole stitch then press MAN on the function line (lower part of the screen). It will bring up a new page where you have to press every step in the stitch process. The little picture tells you what part of the buttonhole you are currently sewing. I use a manual buttonhole when I am making an opening for a large honker button or toggle that is bigger than my auto buttonhole foot.

The auto buttonhole foot is black with a little red dooby on the left side. To make a auto buttonhole with this foot you select the stitch & press the button symbol at the bottom function bar. This will lead you to a screen with a little square at the left. Place your button on the screen and use your SW button to dial the little square to the size of your button. Press OK. The button is programmed and you only need to press on the foot control until the needle stops. It sews the entire button again and again until you select another stitch.

Let me know if it doesn't work.

  
Member since 7/18/05
Posts: 576
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Posted on: 5/8/06 4:11 PM ET
In reply to kmouse
Hey everyone...

To elaborate on my 3C foot... it is the long black one. There is another silver one with grooves under it.

It seems that I'm having the same issue with seam allowances mentioned by Sherrill ... which is a pain because my singer didn't (it's foot has plastic cleats). I've found that I have to use the one with the grooves for this (Irene's suggestion) And they still didn't turn out as well as my Singer.

The long black one is sooo fussy. You have to use fabric with no raised designs and no seam allowances anywhere near... ONLY then it will work (again, like Sherrill's problem).

What a pain. This was supposed to be an "advantage" to the machine... where it seems "handicapped" to me.

Thanks everyone for all of your help!!
-- Edited on 5/8/06 4:13 PM --
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My website: http://www.twistedangel.org
Instagram: https://instagram.com/twistedangelorg
Inventory: Bernina 830e, Juki TL2000Qi, Babylock Ovation, Babylock Evolution, Bernina 1150mda, Singer 206k, Singer 221 Featherweight (1941), Singer 128-23 Centennial - Blackside Godzilla, Singer 128 La Vencedora, Singer 128 Roccoco, Singer 27 Memphis (aka Sphinx), Singer 9W Custom (Rose Gold, Black decal)
  
Member since 9/20/05
Posts: 120
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Posted on: 5/8/06 6:30 PM ET
Also check with the bernina message board. Theres a guy named Patrick answers alot of questions, concerning the bernina machines. Alot of good information there. Just a thought to look into.
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I work at a dept store doing stock work.
I have two machines the bernina 730, viking DD, evolve serger.
Love making things for others making FSL.
  
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