Stitch width knob

A manual may help:

User Guide Manuals LS 2020 Others Brother

There is only one tension dial, the round knob above the needle. Standard setting is the midway point between high & low number. The other two knobs are the stitch length and stitch width dials. With the stitch length knob, zero will make the machine sew in the same place, so you'll want to set it probably midway (the higher the number, the longer the stitch). With the stitch width dial, zero will sew a straight stitch--the higher the number the wider the stitch). Spend about 30 minutes reading the manual and you'll probably be able to use your machine. ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot when threading the top thread so the thread will seat properly.

A video may also be helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC4ci-t5M60

RELAX!!!

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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.

Tension knob on any machine will be in the thread path and usually above the needle somewhere, while the stitch width and length knobs are usually on the right side of the machine. I cant identify your model but on any machine straight stitch is usually a length of 2.5 and width of 0, while a zigzag the width will be set somewhere between 2-4 depending on how wide you need it to be. There is usually a stitch selector of some sort too but many machines, providing the width is set to 0, you will get a straight stitch.

Stitch length on 2.5 and stitch width on zero, and just loosen the top tension by a half number if you want the tension looser. If your machine has a stitch selector knob, make sure it is set to the straight stitch setting.

You need to take the width setting up to 4 and length down to 2 or less if you want a close zig zag. You may not want it that wide but usually 4 is the maximum width.

There is probably also a stitch selector if your machine has several stitch patterns it can do. I've looked at an image at http://www.stevekraftrepair.com/uploads/resized-P9200750.JPG and it looks to me like the left hand knob on the front of the machine is the stitch selector and is colour coded in with the images on the front panel. I just can't make out which number is the zig zag, it could be the red number 4??? So you would put this dial onto the zig zag, then turn the other dial up to a wider stitch width and I am guessing that the little blue box lower down the case has the reversing button and the stitch length setting.

Usually it pays to turn the width to zero BEFORE you make changes to the stitch selector, most machines seem to like being treated this way, ie engaging cams inside the works.

Also, it is always a good idea to check what foot you have on before you start sewing a swing needle stitch just to make sure that you don't hit the foot with the needle. Some feet are designed for straight stitch only and have a little hole but obviously this is not going to work for a zigzag stitch.

I hope this is of help and that I have understood your problem.

I have the same model, have you turned the first knob on left, the stitch selector, to the stitch you want? Then turn the middle knob, the stitch width to "4". Use the colour guide marks shown in the little picture on left of the knobs so you are dialing up the right settings. So for the zig zag, elastic blind hem, scallop, overcasting and multi-stretch stiches, 1-6 on the diagram you'll be setting the left knob to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively and the stitch width and length knobs to "green", you can vary the length and width to suit what you want.

Then for the cams, you need to set everything zero, turn stitch selector to 7, the cam setting. then turn the width to orange again (3-4) and the stitch lenth selector to the orange setting, right around the knob. This engages the "Elnagraph" the device under the flap on top of the machine to read the discs. Basically the green stitches the needle is swinging from side to side while the feed dogs move the fabric forward, making your zig zags, blind hems etc.
But when you engage the Elna graph, the machine matches stiches by moving the fabric "forward and backwards at certain times, while the needle does its thing from side to side. This is what makes elastic or stretchy type stitches because you are putting "stretch" into the seam by sewing forwards and backwards.

Please note: always turn your stitch width and length back to Zero BEFORE you make any changes to the left knob and select a new stitch as this saves on wear and tear to the moving parts in these wonderful machines.

I do hope this assists you and I haven't just told you stuff you already knew!

I have the same model, have you turned the first knob on left, the stitch selector, to the stitch you want? Then turn the middle knob, the stitch width to "4". Use the colour guide marks shown in the little picture on left of the knobs so you are dialing up the right settings. So for the zig zag, elastic blind hem, scallop, overcasting and multi-stretch stiches, 1-6 on the diagram you'll be setting the left knob to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively and the stitch width and length knobs to "green", you can vary the length and width to suit what you want.

Then for the cams, you need to set everything zero, turn stitch selector to 7, the cam setting. then turn the width to orange again (3-4) and the stitch lenth selector to the orange setting, right around the knob. This engages the "Elnagraph" the device under the flap on top of the machine to read the discs. Basically the green stitches the needle is swinging from side to side while the feed dogs move the fabric forward, making your zig zags, blind hems etc.
But when you engage the Elna graph, the machine matches stiches by moving the fabric "forward and backwards at certain times, while the needle does its thing from side to side. This is what makes elastic or stretchy type stitches because you are putting "stretch" into the seam by sewing forwards and backwards.

Please note: always turn your stitch width and length back to Zero BEFORE you make any changes to the left knob and select a new stitch as this saves on wear and tear to the moving parts in these wonderful machines.

I do hope this assists you and I haven't just told you stuff you already knew!

The knob with dot and F & R should be set to the dot.
Thw slider should be at the white dot not the red dot. Red dot does forward only.
The rotary knob with WWW O === is the stitch selector.
This is the setting for straight and zigzag stitching

Stitch length control any number from 0.5 to 4
Stitch width control any number from 0 to 4
Special stitch modifier; Red dot
Buttonhole control; RED dot

i have a brother vx1065 put big dial to 1 stitch length 1-4 stitch width 0 needle position any presser foot zigzag or straight hope this helps

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!