5 Expert Tips for Sewing Tricky Buttonholes

In this video: learn helpful buttonhole tricks so you'll never get frustrated by thick, slippery, or stretchy fabric.
Video Chapters
00:29 - What we'll cover in this video
00:40 - What to look out for
01:15 - 3 must-have notions
02:57 - Buttonhole gimp tutorial
07:36 - 4 buttonholes you might not know
09:21 - #1 most important tip
10:33 - Try out your new skills with these Seamwork patterns
- Cal: www.seamwork.com/catalog/cal
- Killian: www.seamwork.com/catalog/killian
- Ulla: www.seamwork.com/catalog/ulla
- Bud: www.seamwork.com/catalog/bud
Outfit Details
👗 Sarai is wearing a Taylor (www.seamwork.com/catalog/taylor) dress in Lady McElroy fabric (Cobra Corsage) and J Crew shoes
👗 Haley is wearing an Everlane corduroy jacket
💬 Which type of buttonhole is your favorite? Comment and let me know!
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[@lynnshepard7485]

I love pretty buttons and buttonholes! My biggest challenge is the buttonhole at the neckline, where space for the buttonhole foot is limited. I have a machine now that has a stabilizer attachment that helps that. Game changer! I was happy to hear you speak about gimp. I’ve been using embroidery floss. 😂

[@SeamworkVideo]

Embroidery floss! Love it. 🦷

[@nedawilmhoff3599]

Great tips

[@SeamworkVideo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@larissaledarocha]

I loved this video! I'll be very professional now, with the buttonholes \o/

[@SeamworkVideo]

Yay! So glad you found it helpful.

[@Femmefatale32000]

Aboutn5 days ago, I kept wondering how to make buttonholes in knit/stretch fabric for a cardigan and I was debating on whether to use the thinnest Petersham ribbon as a stabiliser in the button placket or use tear-away stabliser instead. Now my problem has been solved when I watched this video. Many thanks ladies for this video!! Much appreciated!!☺️

[@SeamworkVideo]

What perfect timing to watch this video! So glad it helped you.

[@stitchloungestgo]

The only thing I would add, especially if your scissors or snips aren’t great, is to take the extra few seconds to really finish the gimped buttonhole. Use a needle with a large enough eye to pull the gimp thread to the wrong side. Then either tie it off, or thread it through the facing to hide it.

[@SeamworkVideo]

Great tips, thanks!

[@kenn1936]

Thank you for this video. I have a request that may not be suitable but I will try and describe the stitching. I often see the odd t shirt or top that has some form of overstitching in a contrasting colour and always wondered how to do that? Do you need a serger, or can it be done ion a sewing machine. Those tops always look fabulous and have a way of making you look slimmer - strange but true. Just like the leggings that have panels down them. When the garment is split up into sections - it always looks smaller than it is. optical illusion -but brilliant. I just wish there were more of them on sale. It is only now and again I see them. Is it possible for you to do a demo on this 'overstitch' or whatever it is that manufacturers do, along the seams and making t-shirts look like they are panelled or raglan sleeved or whatever it is that gets this effect??? Many thanks

[@SeamworkVideo]

Send a pic of the type of stitching you're referring to to me at [e-mail] and I will see if I can give you any tips or info. I think I need to see it to know for sure what you're talking about!

[@kellyk3977]

I think you might be referring to a top cover stitch?

[@joannahandley7367]

Ive just finished making a heavyweight shirt with a neckband and i know from past experience that the buttonhole in the neckband is going to be a real problem as it's bulky and uneven due to the seams around it. Do you have any tips, please? Or maybe I'll just stick to poppers.

[@SeamworkVideo]

There is a tool called a Jean-a-ma-jig that is made to go under a buttonhole foot and help when creating a buttonhole on a bulky area. You might try one of those!

[@fl0l0g]

Do you know there are button scissors?

[@maryenos91]

I did not see a button on your buttonhole attachment? Is that possible to do on other machines? Also, how are buttonholes made for large buttons over the size mentioned in your machine manual. Thank you.

[@SeamworkVideo]

Hi Mary, some machines have buttonhole feet that have you place the button in the foot in order to stitch out the correct size, but Bernina's buttonhole foot is not made this way. Machines with an Automatic buttonhole feature have a set maximum length, so if you need to make a buttonhole longer than that you would need to follow your machine's instructions for making a manual buttonhole.

[@maryenos91]

@@SeamworkVideo Thanks so much h

[@sharonwalker923]

My sewing machine will only stitch on the bottom bar tac, left, and the top bar tac. It will not stitch left side.

[@SeamworkVideo]

Sounds like your machine is due for a service!

[@blufaerie]

My machine sometimes makes them perfectly, and others just gives up. I’m guessing she needs a maintenance. Might be the timing.

[@denisvolin7489]

I read the title wrong 🤦‍♂️😆

[@SeamworkVideo]

Made me think for a second I might have misspelled it. Phew!

[@shannonwillette2492]

It’s like an SNL skit. I heard it wrong every time

[@denisvolin7489]

😆😆😆😆