The Automatic Buttonhole Foot

Have you ever had to unpick mis-matched buttonholes or hand-stitch oversized buttonholes to fit properly? It’s not always that we use our buttonhole stitches but when we do it’s always such a chore to measure and stencil out their position each time!

Sewing machines have developed much in the last few decades, but many of the leading innovations occurred during the late 1800s, and the noted ‘patent war’ between companies crediting themselves with the latest and greatest machines of their time. Shuttle Sewing Machines progressed to Bobbin Sewing Machines and soon the first buttonhole stitch machine was invented. Originally Buttonholes on sewing machines required using a 4-step adjustment to complete all four sides and is still found on basic models today.

Many modern machines now feature the AUTOMATIC BUTTONHOLE Stitch, using a special foot (R) included as a standard accessory to achieve perfect sized buttonholes in a single step. A sensor is linked to a small lever which when lowered touches the buttonhole foot at the end of its stitch and tells the machine to start the next line, and the next, until returning to its starting position.

The Size of the Buttonhole is automatically set by placing the button in the automatic buttonhole foot. When in the holder, the button provides a stopper for the slider, allowing for a perfect sized buttonhole. The holder takes buttons up to 2.5cm in diameter, but some machine models like the MC9410QC, MC9480QCP and Continental M8 (amongst others) can use a Large Automatic Buttonhole Foot for much bigger buttons.

All you need to do is mark the start and finish of the buttonhole to act as a guide and to determine the position of the buttonhole. You can do this by placing the button on the fabric and marking either side to indicate the starting position. When putting the button into the holder, push the foot as close to you as possible to close it in and then clip the foot onto your machine! Move the fabric under the raised foot into position and lower the foot and needle. With the buttonhole lever down and buttonhole stitch selected, it’s simply a matter of sewing away until you come back to your starting point!

Using this foot ensures accurate sizing every time with incredible ease! Sewists can complete projects like coats and quilt covers stress free when this marvelous device allows for consistent results every time.