Only sewing 1 side of the zig-zag

The stitch Width selection regulates straight-stitch or zig-zag width. Needle position does not determine straight or zig-zag. Needle position just determines whether the needle's home position is center, left, or right. Needle position can be used with straight or zig-zag stitching.

A transcript from the Elna SU manual reads as follows, and the manual can be viewed on line at http://sewingonline.co.uk/instructions/elnasp/

First make a few trial runs with a scrap of material exactly as the buttonhole will be stitched, with the machine adjusted as you intend to use it.
1. Use the embroidery and buttonhole foot. It can be chnged without a screwdriver by using the fixation screw.- With the stitch width knob at "0", turn the selector to zigzag "1".
2. De-center the needle to the left.
3. Set the stitch width knob at 2, with the solid mark on top.
4. Set the stitch length dial between 1/2 and 1/4.
5. a) Mark the desired length on the material.
b) Sew the first side of the buttonhole. Stop with the needle in the material and the mark (right).
c) Raise the foot and pivot the material round the needle. Lower the foot and raise the needle.
6. a) Set the stitch width knob at 4.
b) Sew a few stitches. Raise the needle.
7. a) Set the stitch width knob at 2.
b) Sew the second side and stop just short of the length of the first. Raise the needle.
8. a) Set the stitch width knob at 4.
b) Finish off the buttonhole by sewing a few stitches. Raise the needle.
9. a) Set the stitch width knob at "0".
b) Sew a few stitches to fasten the threads, holding the material back by hand.
10. Open with the buttonhole knife, which you will find in the accessory box.

Measure the button, mark the size of hole you want with a pin at each end. sew 6 full width very close zigzag stitches at one end ending on left side , then sew down to the other end with needle in left position with #2 width stitches, at other end again sew 6 full width zigzag stitches finishing on right side, turn work right around and sew back to other end again with #2 width stitches.
you should now have a rectangle of very close stitches with a very narrow gap between them down the middle. carefully cut between the stitches and you have a button hole.

sure, put on the buttonhole foot after putting a button into it and using the screw knob to set the length you want.
Turn stitch length knob and stitch width knobs to zero, (always set them to zero first to avoid wear on the stitch selection mechanisim) then turn the left stitch selector knob to the blue button hole symbol. Now turn middle knob stitch width, to the blue buttonhole symbol. Now turn right knob stitch length to blue 1, sew down the first side of your buttonhole until foot slide in the buttonhole foot reaches end stop. raise needle and turn stitch length to blue 2, and sew three bar tacks across buttonhole. Again, raise needle and then turn stitch length to blue 3 and sew back down otherside of buttonhole until you reach the end stop. Needle up, turn length know to blue 4 and sew three bartacks to end. there is a last blue symbol dot on stitch length knob, this will sew a stitch in place to tie off the ends. Raise pressure foot, remove your work and draw top threads to underside with a needle, and tie off or use a dot of fray stop. Done! if you don't have a manual you could email me and I'll send you a copy of mine, tallygirl98 at yahoo dot com.

Hello

The stitch dial for the length is located all the way on the right side of the machine and is factory set at the setting "3," which is a 3mm or 1/8 inch length. Turn the dial up or down to adjust the length. For example, the setting "4" is 4mm (5/32 inch) and "2" is 2mm (5/64 inch).

The width of the serged seam is dependent on the needle or by adjusting the knob for the width. With the left needle only sewing, the width is set to 7/32 inch, and with the right needle only sewing, it is set to 9/64 inches. Additionally, by pushing in the width adjustment knob behind the front cover, the stitching can be adjusted manually from 1/8 inch to 17/64 inch wide.

Your model doesn't have a specific needle position adjustment. But you could try this - set it to the shell stitch or lingerie stitch on the stitch selector but leave the stitch width setting on zero, this may move the needle to the left most position with any luck.

Other possibility is to put it in a step of the buttonhole sequence, but again leave stitch width on zero and see if this moves the needle bar to the right or left for you.

for an older sewing machine, one knob usually sets the button cams, or the step by step adjustments. for newer models, there is likely a button hole setting, the icon is probably a button hole (a tall narrow rectangle with thick lines). if none of this works, here are the manual steps for a proper button hole

1) Align needle all the way to the left. Set stitch length to smallest possible. Set stitch width to medium (2 or 3, machines are all different).

2) Stitch down in a line half again as long as the length of the buttonhole (always allow a little extra; it's okay!). Remember not to feed the fabric yourself; let the feed dogs do the work. The stitches will be very close together. This is the left side of the buttonhole.= '

3) Align needle to center. Stitch length remains as small as it gets. Set stitch width as wide as it can go.

4) Backstitch a small bit. Probably no more than 8 or so stitches; you may want to use the handwheel. This is the bottom of the buttonhole: '_

5) After reducing the stitch width to "middle" (same as step 1), you have two choices here: You can either backstitch up the entire right length of the buttonhole (pretty tricky, but a tad faster), or you can crank the needle gently down into the bobbin, lift the foot, rotate the garment 180 degrees, re-align the button hole so the lines will be parallel, and drop the foot again.

6) If you pivoted your garment, the settings for the third stitch are identical to the first stitch. If you did not, align the needle to the right before you backstitch. Either way, this is the right side: '_'

7) Return the needle to center, widen the stitch completely again, and either stitch or backstitch the final side 8 or so stitches.

8) use a seam ripper to rip the cloth in the middle... make sure you do not cut any of the stitching!

Sorry this is so long, I remember making these and wanted to get it down right.

If you mean left or right with a straight stitch, then yes. You use the stitch width selector - you will notice a small raised section in 3 locations, they mark, far left, center and far right.

You can do all of these stitches by using different combinations of your stitch selector, stitch width and stitch feed knobs, for instance, on the panel I can see on your machine:

http://www.jo-ann.com/joann/product/images/52659.jsp?CATID=cat3122&PRODID=prd11333

Stitches 1, 2 & 3 are straight stitches, centered, left and right. Really basic stuff, not different stitches at all. 4,5,6,7 & 8 are zig-zag stitches of different widths. 9 is the widest zig-zag (no. 8) on a finer stitch length, etc...

I think you should try and get an instruction manual for your machine. After a lengthy search of my usual manual sources, I've determined that that this may not be so easy. I think you should contact White on their 800 number and let them try and help you... 1-800-331-3164.

If you found this helpful, please vote generously as I receive nothing other than acknowledgement for my time.

I have a White 1418. Here's how you do it:

1. Attach the buttonhole presser foot (should have come with your machine) and place the fabric underneath.
2. Set the stitch length knob to 0, the zigzag width knob to 5, and set the needle position to center. Sew 3-5 stitches.
3.Change the stitch length to 0.5, the zigzag width to 2, and the needle position to left. Sew to the entire length of your buttonhole.
4.Set stitch length knob to 0, zigzag width knob to 5, and needle position to center and sew about 3-5 stitches
5. Set the stitch length knob to 0.5, zigzag width to 2, and set needle position to the right. Pressing the R button (reverse button), sew up to the top stitches.
6. Remove the fabric and open the button hole with a button hole cutter.

Sounds complicated, but it's really easy. I love this machine, you just have to know how to use it!