Sew Buttonholes

Buttonholes are fairly quick and easy to do. All it requires from you is a bit of patience and some careful marking and measuring beforehand. Here's how!

Machine Method

 * 1) [[Image:B1_205.JPG|thumb|Set to "Satin" stitch length.]]'''Set your stitch length to "satin" or nearly zero in length.
 * 2) [[Image:B2_396.JPG|thumb|Button Hole Attachment. Varies from one machine to another.]]Put your buttonhole foot on the machine if you have one.  While you can make a buttonhole with the "regular" presser foot attachment, the buttonhole foot helps you measure and make buttonholes of equal length easily.
 * 3) Measure the placement of your needed buttonhole(s).
 * 4) Mark the placement with pins or tailor's chalk.
 * 5) Place your presser foot at the one end of the buttonhole marking.
 * 6) [[Image:Numbering.JPG|thumb|Numbered Drawing]]Zig Zag or Satin Stitch a bar the entire width of the buttonhole. (See No. 1 in drawing)
 * 7) Set the stitch width to half the width and stitch down on side of the button hole to the other end. (See No. 2 in drawing)
 * 8) Zig Zag or Satin Stitch a bar the entire width of the button hole at the far end. (See No. 3 in drawing)
 * 9) Re-set your stitch width to half the width and return back to your starting point, keeping your second stitch line parallel to the first. (See No. 4 in drawing)
 * 10) Repeat the process for a thicker and more solid stitching line (and therefore buttonhole edge).
 * 11) [[Image:B3_824.JPG|thumb|Open with a seam ripper.]]Use a seam ripper or sharp scissor to open the area between the sewn edges. Take care not to cut into the threads.

Hand Method

 * 1) Measure and mark your buttonhole carefully.
 * 2) [[Image:B4_603.JPG|thumb|Cut Opening.]]Snip or cut the opening, taking care to leave few, if any, loose threads.
 * 3) Thread a needle and tie a knot.
 * 4) [[Image:C1_932.JPG|thumb|Needle coming from back of material.]]Bring the needle up from the back side of the material.
 * 5) Loop the thread through the buttonhole and back up through the material.
 * 6) [[Image:C2_293.JPG|thumb|Passing through the loop.]]Pass the needle through the loop formed and pull snug.
 * 7) [[Image:C3_689.JPG|thumb|Widely spaced stitches to show procedure. A "real" buttonhole should have much closer stitches.]]Repeat at close intervals.
 * 8) Continue around the perimeter of the buttonhole slit until all raw edges are covered firmly and smoothly. You can roll the raw edge slightly as you stitch if you wish.

Tips

 * Using a heavy thread is helpful when making buttonholes by hand.
 * Different sewing machines use different methods of sewing buttonholes. Some require use of the "reverse" knob, while others will sew the entire buttonhole for you without your intervention at any point.  Check your user manual for individual machine idiosyncrasies and instructions.
 * If you're just starting out, make a "practice" buttonhole on an extra scrap of fabric before making one on a project, especially one that's nearly finished.

Warnings

 * Needles and scissors are sharp. Handle with appropriate care.

Related Tips and Steps

 * Sew a Button
 * Machine Sew on a Button
 * Knit Buttonholes
 * Press a Shirt
 * Put on Cufflinks