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Step 1
Wind a bobbin and thread your machine. On your fabric, measure and mark the size of the buttonhole you need to make. You can do this by measuring the length of the buttons you are using and determining the distance between each button, which can be anywhere between 1/4 inch and 1 inch, depending on your project. Draw the rectangular buttonhole, using a fabric pencil, directly on the fabric.
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Step 2
Test your stitching on a scrap piece of the fabric you are using, to make sure that the thread tension is accurate for a zigzag stitch. Place the fabric under the presser foot, lower the presser foot, and set the zigzag function to a medium stitch. Stitch to test your settings, and change the size of the stitch as needed. Make sure that the stitch looks the way you like it, then clip the threads.
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Step 3
Place your real garment under the presser foot, starting with one of the long sides of the buttonhole. Stitch down the length of one side, then backstitch over that side and stitch down the length again, making sure to follow a straight, even line.
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Step 4
Raise the presser foot and turn the fabric so that you are facing one of the shorter sides of the buttonhole marking. Lower the presser foot and stitch across the short side, then backstitch and stitch across that side again. Raise the presser foot and turn the fabric so that you are facing the second long side of the buttonhole, then lower the presser foot again. Stitch, backstitch and stitch again.
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Step 5
Raise the presser foot and turn the fabric so that you are facing the final short side of the buttonhole. Stitch, backstitch and stitch again on this last side, then raise the presser foot and needle. Pull the fabric from under the presser foot and clip the long threads. Using the seam ripper, cut the center of the buttonhole in a straight line, making sure not to cut any of the buttonhole threads.
