Normally when I want a buttonhole, my Expression 2 just does it, perhaps a bit of help needed on thicker fabric but gets the job done.

Yesterday I wanted 4, followed by 5 later on.  The try outs on the fabric were short one side, never happened before and on a nice fabric that should not create problems with thickness.  Eventually I got what I wanted using a spare foot I had, but it set me off in a little spiral.  My machine is 8 years old, my other machines are manual buttonholes, I needed a reliable buttonholer (of course I can't remember the last time I needed one), so I started hunting.

My old Janome 7000 did them perfectly, stick your button in one end, choose your buttonhole and put your foot down.  Perfect every  time.  I have to admit I nearly pressed the buy button such was the urge the get that perfect buttonhole. Only the fact that I need a new laptop stopped me.  Mind you I did enjoy the thrill of looking but it made me wonder, which machine does the most reliable buttonhole.  They do all manner of fancy stitches, which you usually don't want, but which does the most consistent buttonholes?

The machine I'd eventually settled on was the Janome SMD 3000, reasonable price, not many stitches and Janome.  I was hoping the buttonhole stitch was just as good as it used to be.

I've finally decided to get round to this pattern. 

http://www.sewdirect.com/acatalog/McCalls-M7365.html

I could have got the fabric  suggested or similar but in the end I've gone for linen/cotton mix, which will have slightly more body.  I'm going for C, and they indicate some seams are French, which would be okay with voile but with linen mix, would either normal or flat felled be more suitable?

Bought it on a  whim after I'd bought a Bernina Overlocker but it is a cow of a machine.  Looks hard to thread on the looper side but it is actually quite easy.  When it works, it works wonderfully but half the time I either have the right needle working perfectly or the left one.  It purrs when it works, no clatter like the Janome machine makes and I love the foot so easy to put fabric underneath it.

It comes with the instruction manual plus  a bag of tools that I have never used (I think there is a blind hemmer in it), plastic cover and the original box (a bit  tatty).

This is not the latest model Bernina have  just brought out.

Do not even think of buying this if you are a novice sewer or don't have the patience of a saint.

It was purchased around 3 years ago, cost me £265 and had been serviced.  Given my history with it and time wasted on it, no reasonable offer will be refused.

They have started advertising customer sewing machines, sale is between owner and buyer and they don't guarantee them.  Currently they have the new Janome CoverPro 2000cpx for £400.

http://www.woodseatssewingmachinesshop.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=63

Well, this has taken a lot of work and I am truly grateful for all their efforts.  The Reddit Place was a bit intimidating for me and not really easy on the eye.  This is wonderful.

As you can see I am a survivor from TSF.  Living in the northern regions of Nottinghamshire, very rural and very perfect apart from the lack of sewing fabric shops.  I  normally only sew for me, last thing I want is the stress of making something perfect for other people (barring of course DH).  As I've got older I've got a lot more patience but then I need it since I continually lose things, drop things and occasionally sew the pattern under the foot.