https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/tips-on-sewing-buttonholes • Posted by Annie M.
A lot of sewers fear buttonholes but if you do you might be missing out on some really cute styles if you stray away form them. Here are a few easy steps to help get past the fear of buttonholes!
A lot of sewers fear buttonholes but if you do you might be missing out on some really cute styles if you stray away form them. Here are a few easy steps to help get past the fear of buttonholes!
The best tip when sewing buttonholes is to practice on a piece of scrap fabric until you are completely happy with it. Make sure the fabric is the fabric that you are using in your garment as the stitch length and width is determined by the fabric. Also, before you start, make sure you have marked all of your buttonholes on your pattern as per the pattern instructions.
Use a button hole foot to easily guide the button hole otherwise you will end up with a very crooked button hole.
Measure your button and add 3mm to this measurement to allow for the height of your button.
Draw your measured buttonhole line onto your fabric. Pop the button next to the line to make sure the measurement looks ok.
Center your marked buttonhole line under the buttonhole machine foot. Using the buttonhole setting on your machine, stitch the first side of the buttonhole. The stitch can vary in length and width depending on the fabric you are using but they need to be nice and tight and close together
Stitch a bar tack at the end of the first line of stitching.
Stitch the second side of the buttonhole and finish with a bar tack at the other end. Pop your button next to the buttonhole to make sure the measurement looks ok.
When it comes to slashing the buttonhole, pop a pin in either end before cutting the buttonhole to prevent ripping through the bar tack. Using a seam ripper, start from one end and slash to the pin then turn it around and slash from the other end.
Pop a button through to check it is the right size and your ready to sew “real” buttonholes on your garment.
Just sew your buttons on and you are all done. Garment is now ready for action!