Macybaby

It's funny as I so wanted to respond about all the different zigzag attachments out there. I even have two versions of the very early sideways mount unit. But I have not tested them to see how great they work, and would also say they are OK for playing with, but if you really need a zigzag machine - get one.

Rodney

Thanks Kathy. It's good to be back. I have fun with the attachments on my machines. Buttonholers are especially fun to watch though I have yet to use one to actually make a real button hole.
Macybaby can tell you just how much fun and addictive old attachments can be. I'm not trying to talk you out of getting a zigzag attachment, it's just that a machine built to do zigzag sewing will produce better results more easily.

Markets vary on old machines. Where I am thrift stores have lower prices in general than most Craig's List ads. I get my $10 machines from the thrifts. I have a couple favorite stops in town that have produced many of my machines and attachments. They usually need a good cleaning and some minor work to run well again but then many Craig's List machines are the same.
Rodney

manicmike

I didn't notice you weren't back Mr lightning recovery

You haven't made a real buttonhole with one yet? I must assume you haven't needed one then. The buttonholer was one of those gadgets that had me staring and playing with it for hours like a little kid. The click-clack noise as it swings the fabric side to side is just hypnotic, particularly to gadget obsessed types.

If I increase the bobbin tension I found that the buttonholes are a bit neater. It's a bit of a pain (I have to remember to change it back again) but if I'm doing, say, 20 buttonholes it's well worth it.

ArchaicArcane

I prefer the buttonhole attachment to the built in buttonholes for most machines. I think they make a nicer buttonhole. I used my 503 and a buttonholer and did more than 100 buttonholes and buttons on that machine for curtains for our gazebo. It's possible I didn't know they were supposed to be challenging so I didn't have any trouble with mine.

Now that said, I find the zig zagger is a different beast altogether. The zig zagger leaves a messy backside. It's not a true zig zag so the stitch on the back doesn't look like a zig zag. I would use a zig zag built machine before an attachment but a buttonholer attachment any day.

miriam

Did you cover the feed dogs when you used the zzer?

ArchaicArcane

I don't recall off the top of my head. Probably. It's back when I read the directions instead of thinking "I'm a certified tech, I can figure this out" - then spending a few hours fighting only to read the manual later.

There was a feed dog cover in the box, so I would have used it. Weirdest thing to see a 27 ZZ.

Rodney

Mike: I'm back. I feel good. Lightning recovery? I don't think so. I just have really good doctors. I had a really good surgeon and they did a great job on making sure my pain was under control. There's also a big difference between going in as a planned thing and going into the hospital on an emergency basis. I did get out a day or two earlier than I expected. How long is it supposed to take to grow a new leg anyway?
Seriously though, it's going to take about 8 weeks before I'm fitted with an artificial leg. It takes that long for healing and for the swelling to go down. Also, thanks for the quilt block.

I've watch the buttonholer make the button holes but I haven't needed a real button hole yet so I haven't actually tried to sew one where it's supposed to go. 2 times around makes a nice neat buttonhole with full stitches.
Rodney

miriam

hhmmmm I haven't done anything weird in a while so I should try it - maybe buttonholes on a 27 would be weird, too.

Jeanette Frantz

I tried many buttonholes on my 328 using the zig zag flat cam. I can tell you for sure, like Tammi, I prefer the buttonholer attachment than trying to make one just using the cam! I love my 328, but I used to make a lot of buttonholes on clothing, and I'll take the attachment any day! I even have a couple of slant-needle buttonholers my son collected quite a few years ago that I've used on the 750 T & S machines, which will also fit my 403. So, before I'd try a zig-zag attachment, I'd get a machine that does zig zag, makes other pretty stitches, and put a buttonholer on to make buttonholes! JMHO! Rodney, sure is good to have you back active on the board!

Jeanette

miriam

I sat in Florida on vacation and made button holes on a Singer 15 HC with the green box button hole attachment. I love it. I haven't seen any machine that makes a button hole as nice as the old attachment. I agree with Jeanette - get a good zz machine and the button hole maker.