What are the settings for regular sewing, I do not have a manual. It has 3 knobs on the front and 1 on top? This might have something to do with my problems.

Here's a manual for your machine. The differential settings are discussed in Part 2:

Instruction Manuals

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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.

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.

Check there is no thread or lint in the 4 tension units.Tension for threads (1 - 9) should be all set at 3 ... this is the factory setting.
The two knobs on the side are: Stitch length regulator, set at 2.5 for most purposes.
Differential feed is the other knob and it is used to feed left or right at a "different" rate, rather than evenly....for around arm holes etc where a curve is required.
Sounds like you need to just play with some scrap to see how things go, and get yourself a manual for the fine details.

Maybe the needle isn't in correctly. The flat side of the needle faces right, Also, manual says it will use only Singer Red Band regular point style 2020 size 14 needles. I would think any brand, regular point, size 14 would work.

Threading this dog it not intuitive, and keeping it threaded is a continous task.
Next: Threading
!. Unwinding off spool clockwise --- up from the back through the **** on top . Do NOT wrap thread around tension disc (little round thingy) that is at the ****.

2.On the left end of the knob that looks like a sideways spool there are two silver discs. Slide the thread between them. Make sure it doesn't jump out (at any point during your task)and go one step to the left, between disc and sewing machine. Then down to:

3.Thread straight through 1/4" metal loop at knob-like thread guide. then thread makes a u-shaped trip up the knob-shaped guide to the take-up lever.. Thread tends to slip behind this guide, but needs to stay in the center.

4. Through the take-up lever, right to left, then down to thread guide next to needle, pulls through from back to front then through needle left to right.

OR IT could be the bobbin holder....not even going there right now. Good luck.
Sharon

some machines have a nob on the front loose is low numbers like 0 1 -2 most machines work well on number 3. If the nob is not on the front check and see if it is on the side.

You should be able to buy an instruction manual from Janome or even on ebay.

Knobs left to right - Needle position = Center, Length to something reasonable (try 3 to start), Width - hold the knob in and turn it to other than 0.

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!