Button holes
How to do I sew botton holes?
Sewing buttonholes can seem daunting, but with the right technique and a bit of practice, you'll be creating beautiful buttonholes for your garments in no time. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to sew buttonholes with confidence:
- Prepare your fabric: Before sewing the buttonhole, it's essential to add some interfacing to the back of the fabric. This will provide stability and prevent the buttonhole from stretching or distorting. If possible, do a few practice buttonholes on a scrap fabric or a similar material to ensure that your machine's tension is properly set.
- Measure your button: Take the diameter of your button and add 1/8" to determine the required length for your buttonhole. For example, if your button measures 1/2" across, your buttonhole should be 5/8" long.
- Draw the buttonhole placement: Use a marking tool to draw the buttonhole shape on your fabric. Ensure that it is positioned correctly for your button and that the buttonhole will be centered and aligned properly.
- Set up your machine: Consult your sewing machine manual to understand how to set it up for sewing buttonholes. The settings may vary depending on your machine's make and model. Typically, buttonholes use a stitch length of 0.5".
- Attach the buttonhole foot: Locate the buttonhole foot that came with your machine. It is usually a long, plastic foot with a rectangular hole in the center. Attach it securely to your machine.
- Start sewing: Place your fabric under the machine with the drawn buttonhole aligned under the buttonhole foot. Begin sewing the buttonhole stitch according to your machine's instructions. For a rectangular buttonhole, it usually involves two horizontal tacks followed by two vertical satin stitches to form a rectangle. Remember to end both of your vertical stitches at the end of the drawn line.
- Finishing the buttonhole: Once you have completed sewing the buttonhole, remove the fabric from the machine and snip the threads neatly. Take a seam ripper and carefully cut open the buttonhole lengthwise, ensuring that you do not cut through the horizontal threads. This will create the opening for your button.
- Test and finalize: Test the buttonhole by inserting your button. It should fit snugly but not be too tight. If needed, make adjustments by slightly enlarging the buttonhole with the seam ripper. Once you are satisfied with the fit, you have successfully sewn a buttonhole!
With practice, you will become more comfortable and confident in sewing buttonholes. Remember to take your time, follow the instructions specific to your machine, and make use of scrap fabric for practice. Happy sewing!