Top Tips for Machine Sewing Buttonholes

Whether you're an experienced sewer or new to sewing buttonholes can strike fear into our hearts! Often they're the last feature we sew on our handmade garments so we run the risk of ruining all that hard work if things don't go to plan. Fear not we're sharing our top tips for getting great results every time covering some of the most common challenges you'll face. We also give a quick overview of the different ways sewing machines sew buttonholes - four step and one step buttonholes - for anyone who isn't sure. At the end of the video you'll be a buttonhole boss!
► Sew Essential www.sewessential.co.uk
► Sew Essential blog www.sewessential.co.uk/blog
► Top Tips for Machine Sewn Buttonholes blog post www.sewessential.co.uk/blog/t...
► Generic bulky seam aids or humper jumpers www.sewessential.co.uk/blog/t...
► Janome bulky seam aid www.sewessential.co.uk/blog/t...
► Husqvarna bulky seam aid www.sewessential.co.uk/husqva...
► Washaway stabiliser www.sewessential.co.uk/vilene...
► Stabilisers www.sewessential.co.uk/sewing...
► Buttonhole cutters www.sewessential.co.uk/sewing...
► Simflex sewing gauge www.sewessential.co.uk/simfle...
► Interfacing www.sewessential.co.uk/haberd...
Carefree Melody by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/... www.twinmusicom.org/song/302/c... www.twinmusicom.org

[@janmiller1850]

Like a little ray of sewing sunshine, every time. Thanks for some really useful, professional tips, Lucy. 💚💚💚

[@SewEssential]

Ah thanks Jan that is so lovely and made me smile, I will keep working hard to bring you more sewing goodness I hope!

[@bluesgirl410cg]

This is a fantastic video! Thank you so much for all of the helpful tips. Your channel, in general, is excellent. Cheers!

[@SewEssential]

That is music to my ears Chris, thanks for sharing such lovely feedback, I'll keep going.

[@lunasmum6869]

I have two Husqvarna machines. The first one I bought years ago and it is a lovely machine. Freesia 425. I bought the buttonhole foot you've shown for it at the time of purchase of the machine. It is wonderful. My other one is my new present to me a Sapphire 960q which is wonderful. It came with the plug in buttonhole attachment foot though, of course, the one I already had would have fitted. Fabulous machine, does all the work for me. The wash away stabiliser is good. It leaves a little bit of residue inside the stitching even when washed which gives the buttonhole more strength. If it is a coat or a garment you can't wash I would cut away, very carefully, as much of the stabiliser as possible. Then get a sponge or brush and some hot water and dab away the rest of the stabiliser still visible. It will dissolve beautifully.

[@texasproud8822]

Wonderful tips. Thanks

[@janspenno2241]

Lucy you are so helpful. These videos are really useful

[@SewEssential]

Thank you so much that's really lovely of you to say.

[@jeannemcmillintwinlakeses3767]

So happy I found this video. I was looking for videos on how to use my buttonhole foot but this gave me more info that I really needed. I'm going to be putting buttons and buttonholes on a bathrobe that is actually supposed to wrap and use a belt to close for my mom. I now have to run to the store and get some washable interfacing AND I'll use the belt as my test fabric. Would never have thought about those things on my own. Thank you.

[@2Peachcobler]

Great tips

[@wendydann8180]

Just telling me to practice on the multi-layer fabric that the button hole will be in is a wonderful idea!

[@dashiajames1882]

These are great & useful tips. I've watched other videos, they never mentioned do a sample or test on the same & exact number fabrics. That you'll be using. Thanks so much..!!

[@TrustingUK]

I just followed a top tip for button holes of using silk thread. It has made such a difference.

[@SewEssential]

Wow what a great tip, I've never heard that before tfs.

[@lunasmum6869]

Oh yes, silk thread is so very strong.

[@janetlink9756]

Thankyou for the info especially the stablizer on thick fabrics so the stitching is not lost down in the fabric

[@SewEssential]

Yes that's a good one isn't it, thanks for your kind feedback.

[@ladylouise1969]

I too love the buttonhole "chisel"! Fabulous tool! Great suggestions all around. I have a Viking machine which also embroiders, a Janome sewing machine, a Janome serger, and a Brother serger. I love them all for different reasons! :+) Thank you for sharing with us!!

[@SewEssential]

It's a pleasure and yes the buttonhole cutter is wonderful. I'm glad you found the suggestions useful.

[@ruthlanwarne8978]

A very useful video Lucy. My sewing machine is very hit and miss on buttonholes even when I’ve practised 3or 4 times! It’s a design fault I think of the Janome 7025 but I’ve recently upgraded ,mainly for the buttonholed! Thank you😃

[@SewEssential]

Hope you enjoy the new machine, tfs

[@myacct8304]

I made my first buttonhole last night (before seeing this video), and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be! Now, I just want to know how to sew stronger buttonholes (ones that won’t fray easily). Thanks for the tips!

[@solarwinds-]

Hey Myacct8304, I know what you mean. I use the fray stop. It's a liquid that comes in a little squirt bottle. I don't know what territory you're in, here is the USA, you can find it at Hobby Lobby or Jo-Ann. Once I cut the opening, I use it after I clip off the loose threads. Wait for it to dry and no more fraying. Good Luck. 🍀Another way to make a stronger button hole is to use a cord under the stitching to reinforce it.

[@maureencullen1008]

Brilliant tips.It would have been great to see you actually making a buttonhole and sewing buttons on.

[@SewEssential]

Thanks Maureen I'm hoping to do a few more of those styles of video this year, there is a brief video of me stitching out a buttonhole in this one, but I'm guessing you mean the whole process.

[@maureencullen1008]

Yes please.Your explanations are so good it would be really helpful to see.

[@shellyscott8275]

Hi Lucy, I’m considering upgrading my sewing machine. Can you tell me which Husqvarna machines you have please ?

[@jeannotek8483]

Omgod Lucy that was so useful to me. Thankyou All day I have been worrying about the dreaded buttonholes I need to sew on my new skirt. I am sewing with a viscose, if I buy stabiliser for underneath the fabric, does it rest on top of the feed dogs, won’t it get chewed up? A problem I have experienced with my Husqvarna opal is that I can’t get that automatic buttonhole device to plug into my machine, it seems and feels it is fully in, but it doesn’t sew the buttonhole? Please help I’m away to order a chisel and the stabiliser?

[@lunasmum6869]

Use iron on stabiliser if you think it may get stuck in the needle plate but I haven't found that has happened. I do tend to use the iron on one anyway unless the fabric or pattern says otherwise.

[@angienorman5974]

Very good tips. Still scared though. I've done multiple samples beautifully only to have something to go wrong on the finished garment!

[@SewEssential]

Oh no! What a shame, I can only say keep practising and keep on trying is my mantra, although sometimes you really don't feel like it, I can totally relate to that.

[@tammymasson2343]

I recently heard the advice to put the buttonholes in as one of the first steps instead of last. This way if we mess up, it's easier to redo and much less time and effort wasted. Best of luck and keep on sewing! 😊

[@johnexpatthailand2142]

I'm having problems all of a sudden sewing a series of buttonholes on a shoulder strap. My buttonholes are either too far to the left or right once sewed. Also some of them when finished have somehow sloped to the left or right. I'm using a Janome 1 step automatic buttonhole. Is there a technique to line it up so the buttonholes are central because lining it up fro start needle position needs to be slightly to the left because the buttonhole then comes to the right on return stitches. Is it because the strap needs supporting at the back because a buttonhole sews backwards. Thank you. John

[@Sooz3112]

Very helpful, thank you. If you have the one step button hole, how do you know when to take your foot off the pedal - or will the machine just 'stop' and not respond to the pedal once it's completed the stitch out please? I had been considering a 4 step, but thanks to your video - I don't think it's for me. I don't plan on using buttonholes but, if I have a machine for many years - who knows what I'll be making over time. A one step seems much more practical x

[@sewsed]

The machine stops once done 😊

[@ladylouise1969]

I thought of another one--the corded buttonhole. sometimes those are great for the thicker fabrics!! :+)

[@pamclarke6785]

Wish i could get the button hole attachment for my old Elna Supermatic.

[@elaine58100]

Does the buttonhole cutter do a neater job? I find when cutting there always seems to be lots of frayed bits. Thank you :)

[@ketheeskanth]

after finishing the button hole stich my singer computerized sewing machine not allowing to sew any normal stiches it shows bl code and beeps ..even if the button hole lever is pushed up to the original position...i switched off the machine and on but still it sews only the button hole stiches and not the normal stiches so pls help

[@doloreshunter3068]

Do we have to change the stitch from one to two?

[@joanneblair2087]

Pfaff also has the sensormatic buttonhole.

[@SewEssential]

Yes of course some of them do, apologies for forgetting to mention this, we also stock the full Pfaff range of machines.

[@paulasiefert2059]

You said it! I just finished a little girls dress, and my machine ruined 3 out of 3 buttonholes. I had tested it several times prior to doing the dress.

[@dreamdancer84]

The left and right side of my buttonhole has low stitch density, even though I've followed the manual instructions... And, the density on the right is even more sparse than the density on the left, does anyone know why?

[@emma__sews]

What about doing it without a fancy foot???

[@lorainemunro7969]

🐯

[@emma__sews]

I wonder how big the button hole should be... Compared to the button size???

[@lunasmum6869]

Same size unless, as Lucy explained, there is a dome shape or concave button. Then you may need to make the buttonhole a little larger. Experiment on the offcuts of the fabric you are sewing.

[@victoriaconstantine-cort3091]

xXX👍👍👍

[@ruthgoh4869]

Too much talking nonsense

[@katielove9932]

You are so RIGHT!

[@user-tt9me2ry6d]

Too many hand movements which is quite irritating.

[@katielove9932]

I wish you would talk with your hands on your lap. Unless you are signing when your'e talking. It's very distracting.

[@duyentinh09]

Talk to much.

[@katielove9932]

She sure does!