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If you were going to buy a sewing machine just to make buttonholes and wanted to spend as little as possible, while still getting a decent machine, what would you recommend?
My main machine, which needs servicing, is a Pfaff, but it has never made decent buttonholes. I want a one-step buttonhole, a straight and zigzag stitch, and not a lot else. Does anyone have a basic machine that satisfies them?
I was leaning toward a Janome HD3000 but the newer reviews don't seem as good as the older ones.
Does the 3000 have a one step buttonholer? Other Janomes have the four step.
I bought a vintage Singer buttonholer that works on my Janome and on my vintage Kenmore. It's a one step, with templates. It's designed to work with machines without zigzag, so the buttonholer wiggles back and forth. Trippy!
I'm sure there are more modern ones that use zigzag.
I'm a fan of vintage machines, especially Kenmores. Many have great buttonholers, and can be bought for less than $200.
No, I checked and I think it's four step. I think you need the 5000 for a one step buttonhole. I had a Singer from the 70s that did a fine one step buttonhole, but I stripped the gears years ago. I replaced it with the Pfaff, which I love, but the buttonhole is just awful. I have an older Singer with a four step buttonhole and an even older one - basically, I've sewed long enough to know what I need and am searching for the right machine. I'm going to offload some of these others and free up space and get some stuff done before my arthritis puts a stop to it.
I liked the idea of a mechanical machine since I use very few of the computer functions.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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My wife uses her Bernina 780 for that, which is probably overkill, but it does both automatic and manual multi-step buttonholes. She also has 2 other Bernina machines, a smaller one for camping in our trailer, and an Overlock, but her Serger is Janome. I asked her and she told me that the inexpensive Bernina Bernette B35 & the B37 ($300-400) do the one-step buttonholes.
My wife uses her Bernina 780 for that, which is probably overkill, but it does both automatic and manual multi-step buttonholes. She also has 2 other Bernina machines, a smaller one for camping in our trailer, and an Overlock, but her Serger is Janome. I asked her and she told me that the inexpensive Bernina Bernette B35 & the B37 ($300-400) do the one-step buttonholes.
Thank you - and her - for the info. I looked at them and the 37 might be just right.
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