Marking The Garment; Buttonhole Length; Cutting Button Opening - Singer 288 Instruction Manual

Marking the Garment

• Mark a position guideline with hand basting for each
buttonhole.
• Horizontal buttonholes are placed to extend 4 mil-
limeters (1/8") beyond the center line of the garment,
as illustrated below, so that buttons will be in the cen-
ter of the figure when the garment is fastened.
Horizontal buttonhole guidelines should follow a
crosswise fabric thread and should be longer than
the finished length of buttonhole. Mark ends of but-
tonhole vertically.
• Vertical buttonholes are placed on center line of gar-
ment, as illustrated. Mark ends of buttonhole horizon-
tally across the center line basting.
Spaces between buttonholes should be equal. When a
line of buttonholes crosses the machine be sure that
one buttonhole will fall exactly on the waistline. Then
measure the other buttonhole markings from that point.
Singer
288
First decide how long the opening needs to be. To find
the right length, cut a small slit in a scrap of fabric and
gradually enlarge it until the button slips through easily.
Then add at least 4 millimeters (2 millimeters for each
bar tack). This bar-tack measurement is approximate;
on some buttonholes you may need to increase it to
arrive at pleasing proportions.
Use a pair of small sharp scissors to cut button open-
ing. Insert blade in center of cutting space and cut
from this point in either direction. Place a pin across
the cutting space at each end of the buttonhole to pro-
tect the end stitching.
47

BUTTONHOLE LENGTH

CUTTING BUTTON OPENING