How To Make A Buttonhole On A Kenmore Sewing Machine

What is a Buttonhole?
A buttonhole is a slit in fabric made by a sewing machine, through which a button is passed, allowing it to be fastened to the material. It is a special kind of stitch which needs to be accurately made in the right place if its function is to be successful.
What Does it Take to Make a Buttonhole?
To make a buttonhole, you need a Kenmore sewing machine, fabric, thread, a button, and a pair of scissors. First, it’s important to accurately measure the size of the button before selecting a buttonhole setting on the sewing machine. Before starting to sew, ensure that the ‘reverse stitch’ option is turned off, and adjust the stitch width and length accordingly. It’s important to note that the stitch width should be slightly greater than the width of the button itself.
How to Prepare the Buttonhole
Start by creating a temporary stitch line using a straight stitch near where the buttonhole will be located. This will act as a guide to ensure your buttonhole is sewn in the right place. Remember to check the length and width of the stitch before continuing to sew. Once you have achieved the right size of the stitch, start stitching the buttonhole, ensuring that the bobbin tension is evenly balanced.
How to Sew a Buttonhole on a Keesmore Sewing Machine
With the right settings in place, the next step is to locate and select the buttonhole stitch option on your Keesmore machine. As buttons come in different sizes and shapes, the length of the stitch should be adjusted accordingly. Sew around the buttonhole, making sure to keep the stitches consistently tight on both sides. Once the buttonhole is complete, use a pair of scissors to carefully cut the slit. Thread a needle with a matching thread and secure the sides of the buttonhole with a few additional stitches to prevent it from fraying.
How to Reinforce a Buttonhole
It’s important to reinforce the buttonholes in case of a lot of wear and tear. Reinforcing the buttonholes provides stability and a neat finish. To reinforce the buttonhole, select a button stitch setting on the sewing machine. Sew along the buttonhole on both sides using the thick thread. This will strengthen the buttonholes.
Important Maintenance Tips
To ensure the longevity of your buttonholes, it’s important to regularly check for and replace damaged or worn buttons, as well as to lubricate all the moving parts on your Keesmore sewing machine. Additionally, it’s essential to regularly inspect the tension and thread tension, as well as the stitch width and length, before proceeding to stitching the actual buttonhole.
The Benefits of Making a Buttonhole
Buttonholes are a great way to finish off projects by providing them with an attractive, neat and professional look. Additionally, they are the perfect way not only to secure buttons, but also to provide an extra level of functionality and secure the opening of fabric. Buttonholes remain firmly in place and also make garments look more stylish.
Choosing the Right Buttonhole Stitch
When it comes to choosing the right stitch for buttonholes, the most popular options are the four-step buttonhole and the keyhole buttonhole. Both types are straightforward to sew on a Kenmore sewing machine, provided the correct settings are in place. The keyhole buttonhole is slightly longer and more secure at the base, while the four-step buttonhole is faster and easier to sew.
Conclusion
Buttonholes made using a Kenmore sewing machine are a great way to finish off sewing projects with a professional look. When making a buttonhole, take the time to accurately measure the size of the button and to adjust the stitch width and length. Once the correct settings are in place, select the buttonhole stitch option and sew the buttonhole. Afterwards, use a pair of scissors to make the slit and reinforce the buttonholes with a thicker thread. By following the steps above, it is possible to achieve a beautiful and secure buttonhole.
Troubleshooting Common Buttonhole Problems
At times, sewing a buttonhole may present unexpected difficulties. It is important to assess what the problem is and perform an action plan. If the buttonhole is loopy or the fabric is puckering, decrease the stitch length by a few millimetres. If the buttonhole is too tight, then increase the stitch length. An evenly balanced bobbin tension is crucial for buttonholes, so make sure to inspect the tension before sewing.
Checking for Fabric Compatibility
Before proceeding with the buttonhole, it is important to check for fabric compatibility. Different fabrics require different types of needle and sewing machine settings. When using a lightweight fabric, use a bigger needle and decrease the stitch length slightly, as standard settings may be too tight. When working with a heavy fabric, use a smaller needle, increase the stitch length and use a stabiliser for a better result.
Tips to Achieve an Attractive Buttonhole
To start with, take the time to practice on spare fabric before starting to sew on an actual project. Practicing will help you to get the hang of how to set the stitch length and width. Additionally, feed dogs must be at the right height for a successful buttonhole and providing fabric with the right amount of tension is paramount. If the fabric is swatch-like, attach several layers of interfacing to the fabric to achieve a smoother fabric surface.
Using Thread of a Different Colour to Stand Out
Using a thread in a different colour to the one used for the rest of the project can help your buttonholes stand out, making them look attractive and sophisticated. Get creative with thread colour combinations and create striking, fashionable designs. Keep in mind that the thread should still match the overall colour palette of the project.
Solving Problems with the Sewing Machine
In some cases, a malfunctioning sewing machine may present an obstacle that cannot be easily rectified. This is why regular maintenance is recommended to ensure the longevity of the machine and the stitches. If unexpected problems occur while sewing a buttonhole, check the foot pressure of the machine and clean any dust or lint build-up regularly.

Geoffrey Kirby is an experienced author and sewist who has been creating sewn projects for over 20 years. He has a passion for teaching beginners and inspiring more advanced sewists both online and through his writings. Outside of writing about sewing, Geoffrey loves to explore new techniques and styles of sewing that incorporate upcycling fabric remnants into sweet items with personality.

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