Sewing a Buttonhole with the Buttonhole Foot

Sewing machine buttonholes, perfect first time, every time.

Did you see my earlier article and video on how to sew on a button with your machine?

It wasn't difficult at all, just a little bit of fiddling to make sure the needle lined up exactly with the buttonholes.  But, I admitted, I'm scared silly of actually sewing the buttonhole.

Why?  Well, the buttonhole is usually sewn right at the end of the project when everything else is done. What if it messes up, gets all tangled, is skewed, or just plain untidy?  It must be very hard to unpick a tiny buttonhole and resew without damaging the fabric.  And what if there are several, say 6 buttonholes to sew.  That means 6 chances to make a mess.  To do it nicely, each and everyone has to be sewn correctly.  Getting it right on the first try, every time.  I'm perspiring just thinking about it.

So for me, until today, NO buttonholes.  Then a project came along that called for a buttonhole. Should I bail?  Come up with an excuse?  Or just give it a try and get over my fears?  I thought how difficult can it be – I had so much encouragement when I posted about sewing the button and my sewing fears – I HAD to try.

So in the true So Sew Easy style, I thought I should take a video and share with you of my first ever attempt at sewing a buttonhole.  Was it utterly laughable, a complete disaster, a mess of tangles?  Let's take a look.

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Ok, there you have it.  Nothing to be afraid of at all.  Now I am almost confident that if I had to sew a buttonhole, I would get it right first time and not mess up all my hours of work.

Sewing machine buttonholes, perfect first time, every time.

Your machine may have come with an automatic buttonhole foot, or it may be an optional extra.  Check out your manual. If you need one, and maybe some other special feet for your machine to really get the best out of it, here's a great and inexpensive kit with what you need:

What about if you don't have a buttonhole foot?  Then take a look at this tutorial on how to sew a buttonhole without a buttonhole foot.


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Linda
Linda

Oh my word!!! You have changed my life!!! Ive been a hobby sewer for decades and i never knew how to do a button hole!! I followed along and made the perfect button hole that was custom to a button! I HAD NO IDEA!!! Thank you! And i love your accent. You are like a sewing version of Emma Thompson ❤️

Marie E Listopad
Marie E Listopad

Nice to see it all turned out. Some of us do not have an automatic button hole gadget. My machine has three changes of needle position which I have to dial and no automatic measuring. You’ve got it so easy.

Therese
Therese

Thank you for the video! I’m ready to try it out! I too avoid projects with buttonholes! I really enjoy getting my Sunday emails from you!

karene1948
karene1948

I am so pleased to see your buttonhole worked out great! I have been petrified of making buttonholes even though I have made lots of “practice” ones like you did! When it came to actually making a row of them I chickened out 🙁 Lesley expressed my concerns perfectly. I don’t think I have had any projects where I would just be making 1 buttonhole. There are usually 3 or more. Thanks again — I didn’t think anyone else was afraid of buttonholes 🙂 I have been sewing for over 60 years and never made a buttonhole on a project! I opt for replacing the buttons with a zipper or velcro (where that will work).

Angela S
Angela S

Thank you, Deby. I love how clearly and precisely you explain everything. I especially love hearing the ocean in the background!

Soaz
Soaz

Quelle bonne idée de mettre une épingle à la fin de la boutonnière pour l’ouvrir sans risquer de trop couper !

Linda
Linda

Very good video. The addition of either a tearaway or dissolve away stabilizer would make the button hole lay smoother and flatter.

Angela S
Angela S
Reply to  Linda

What if you looked at a similar top (or whatever) to see where they start and how far apart they are? I’ve also seen sewists use different contraptions to help with even spacing for buttons, ruffles, etc. One is like an accordion, but I think there are a few others.

Angela S
Angela S
Reply to  Angela S

Oops that was a reply for Lesley. Sorry about that.

Lesley
Lesley

My concern is lining up the button holes with each other and where exactly to start on the garment so it is positioned in the right place. I’ve had a few disasters :-0

whit2432
whit2432
Reply to  Lesley

Buttonholes should be evenly spaced. Start with one just under the lapel, one at the fullest part of the bust to prevent gaping and one at the waist–space the others evenly.

Donna Lee
Donna Lee
Reply to  Lesley

Yes! This is my problem as well! I find on my Brother that the lines that indicate where the buttonhole starts are not an accurate indicator of the end of the buttonhole itself. The buttonhole actually extends below those crosshair marks, and it’s tricky to get the spacing lined up correctly for me.

Emma
Emma

Thanks so much for that, makes it look much easier than I thought xx

Jamie
Jamie
Reply to  Emma

Thank you so much!!!! I had no idea how to sew a button hole. I followed you and I did it!! I’m so excited! I wish more tutorials were like yours. 🙂

Linda Cianciolo
Linda Cianciolo

Good tutorial. Sometimes my auto buttonholer on my digital machine skips. I have also noticed this sometimes happen with my students’ machines as well. Do you have any idea why this might be happening? Some turn out absolutely perfect and as you say, ripping out buttonholes is a pain. Have loved your website for several years!

Carolyn Robertson
Carolyn Robertson

The automatic buttonhole foot works every time. I have made lots of buttonholes without any problems. However two things- always use some interfacing wherever you are putting a buttonhole in regardless if your fabric is doubled (you will avoid any puckering) and always make sure your bobbin area is clean and free of fluff. That can get your bobbin threads tangled.

Betty
Betty

Your buttonhole looks very good, but I’ve always been told to use stabilizer to help support the fabric when making buttonholes.

Missy
Missy

Thank you for your video on sewing buttonholes. You have give me the confidence to try it myself!❣️

whit2432
whit2432

I liked this video for the extreme close-up views and her clear explanations. I have a Juki HZL-DX7 which makes great buttonholes! I always shied away from making them and now, finally, I have mastered the art of buttonholing!

Joni Shade
Joni Shade

Brilliant!

Diane Morgans
Diane Morgans

Great tutorial. I’ve always been afraid of that foot. Ready to give it a go now?

Julia Fisher
Julia Fisher

Thanks for the tutorial! Quick question: how do I know where to line up the foot, so the buttonhole will be exactly where I want it to be? Do the green and red markings have anything to do with that?

Beth Bennett
Beth Bennett

Thank you so much for doing this. I have tried to use my button hole foot, but I thought it wasn’t working because it was taking so long and going over the same area. After watching the video, I see what it is doing, and I am going to go try again. We usually use snaps instead of buttons. Maybe now that can change.

pkygola
pkygola

Thanks for clearing most of the buttonholes related doubts!

Peggy McClain Barr

I’m afraid also to do a button hole so it was great to watch you do one the first time. I tried with my old sewing machine and decided to go straight to Walmart and buy a top of the line Brother for $179. Thanks for this post.

Jenn
Jenn

Thank you thank you thank you!!! I have been teaching myself to see the past 2 years and have honestly shied away from anything that needed buttonholes!!! I was determined and picked out a pattern to make my granddaughters each a dress…with button straps! I have been anxio the whole project knowing the last step would be a buttonhole! I found your video first this morning as the dresses were waiting for their buttons….practiced twice…after I found my foot…and I was able to finish my dresses in just minutes!!! Thank you!!

Joe Williams
Joe Williams

My singer slant needle automatic buttonhole foot won’t catch the bobbin thread when I try to make a button hole. It sews perfectly when I am doing other basic stitches and stitch patterns. The problem only occurs with the buttonhole foot and settings. Has anyone else ever had this problem? The machine is freshly restored. This is my first time to try buttonholes on it.

Claire Martin
Claire Martin

Hello Deby ! I have a Singer 4423 heavy duty, and it seems like whatever I do, something goes wrong with the buttonhole foot. It starts well, it goes up, but when we reach the point where it should sew side and downwards, it just gets blocked, jams, and I have those terrible mass of knots that are impossible to rip. Do you have any tips or advice for me please? Claire

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Claire Martin

Yikes, Claire. Sorry to hear that. Sounds like something is wrong there, but its impossible for me to know what it might be. Does it only do this on button holes? Sounds like it might be time to ask a repair main to take a look. Sorry.

Claire Martin
Claire Martin

Hello Deby, thank you for your quick answer. It only does it with the buttonhole foot, if I do a buttonhole without the foot it works fine, I will try to get another foot and see how it goes, hopefully it’s just mine that is a bit blocked or something like that. The machine otherwise works a treat and doesn’t do any kind of funny noise or anything odd, it’s just that buttonhole foot that I can’t get to work, that’s why I hope it’s not the machine itself, fingers crossed.Thank you very much for your help , have a great day 🙂

Maria
Maria
Reply to  Claire Martin

I don’t know if this will help or not, but I had the same issue with my machine that you are describing. It turns out that for mine, once it gets to that point, I have to press the lever that you pull down to sew the button hole the other direction. On my machine, that’s what signals it to go back the other way. It doesn’t say that anywhere in the instructions.

Juanita Normann
Juanita Normann

Nice job on the button hole. I always keep enough fabric scraps to do a practice run, enough times to feel confident taking my project to the sewing machine. I agree with the posts about stabilizing your buttonhole and using fray check and any number of ways to open the hole up without going past the ends. One thing I didn’t see mentioned was using a bit of topstitching thread on top and stitch over the thread to give the buttonhole definition. Some buttonhole feet have a little catch at the back to center the thread as you sew down each side.

sewsirius
sewsirius

Love your video…I ALWAYS always do a “sample” buttonhole on a scrap of the same fabric I’m using, then I can adjust for tension or add extra water soluble stabiliser on the back if it scrunches up. The stabiliser then just washes away. I have a Brother machine too, different model, and the sample also helps me to gauge whether the markings I’m using will work for the garment I’m making. Learnt that the hard way!

If your readers don’t have access to their manual, all Brother sewing machine manuals can be downloaded from their website. I have all my manuals on my iPad which has saved me many times when I couldn’t find the hard copy manual (unfortunately very easy to loose things in my sewing room!)

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  sewsirius

Jammed full of great tips, thank you. The water soluble stabiliser is a good idea. I’ll add that to a wishlist for my next online order.

Diane Cullum
Diane Cullum

Great job on your first button hole Deby! See, it wasn’t that scary after all! I start cutting the hole with my seam ripper but as soon as it is big enough, I use scissors to finish so I don’t over-cut. Sometimes I use the seam ripper to cut the whole thing but I make sure to poke the pointy end back up through the fabric at the end. That way I can’t slip and cut through the stitching at the end. I watch your videos sometimes just to hear you talk. Thank you for sharing; love it! 🙂

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Diane Cullum

Ha ha, I laughed out loud at the comment about watching to hear me talk. I hate how I sound on video – don’t we all I suppose. I think I sound a bit dim and I have a rather flat voice. I’d never make it as a game show host!

Georgia Anderson

Glad to see you conquering your fears. You do a lot to encourage new sewists to try new things. My one hint learned while working at a sewing machine shop: use a tear away paper stabilizer under the buttonhole, then if you need to unsew it, your seam ripper slides between the threads and the paper instead of your fabric. I’ve gotten quite picky in my old age and do unsew them from time to time – no big deal!

Carmen

Thank you for the video. I got a new Kenmore special edition a couple of years ago and went to use the zipper foot the other day. I pulled down that thingy at the end and it broke. 🙁 I wasn’t sure how to use it though…I thought it went around the needle, so I think I’ll try again now that I’ve seen your video. It will be a bit different, but it’s worth a re-try…:)

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Carmen

Oh dear, I hope it can be repaired or worked around somehow Carmen.

Karen
Karen

Love you site!!

Carla
Carla

Great job. Button holes really scare people, but once you do one, you see there was never anything to fear. I was also taught to put pin just below the top of the buttonhole and then use the seam ripper to open it up. I’ve always done them that way and have never had a problem. I did order one of those buttonhole cutter sets and sometimes I use it, but more often than not, it’s too big for the buttonholes I typically make. Great job Deby!!!!

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Carla

Thank you. Phew I was so tense that I was going to mess up really badly, but hey, nothing to fear!

Graceeh
Graceeh

I just got a new sewing machine 2 days ago and we are playing around trying to get used to each other. (My very first Brother and I’m 68!). I love it. But just imagine my delight when looking for a video of automatic button hole making (another first) when I found your video of the exact same machine make and model! Thanks so much. I love your website and am always finding something new and interesting! Thanks so much for sharing.

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Graceeh

That’s a great co-incidence. Now you can see it all happening rather than just have to read about it and keep your fingers crossed, like I did. Good luck with the new machine.

Vicki
Vicki

Hello from ‘Down Under’, Deby!

I really enjoy your blog and although I have been sewing for 50 years now (since I was a teenager), I still have things to learn…and learn I do, often from you!! (See, I am even a poet!!) Thank you for your generosity in sharing your ideas and knowledge – it’s people like you who make it a joy to live in the global village!!

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Vicki

Wow 50 years! I’ll bet you’ve made some stunning items over that time. I’m not sure there is anything you can learn here! Except how to do things on as quickly and easily as possible. I hope one day to have the time to ‘sew slow’ and move away from the quick and easy and really perfect my sewing skills as you must have done.

Vicki
Vicki

If there is one thing that I have discovered in my 66 years on this planet, Deby, it is that we can always learn something new. I have just learnt to crochet! I have picked up many tips and tricks from the internet with regard to sewing and especially with drafting patterns. I love learning new things….keeps the old brain ticking over! Hugs to you.

Linda
Linda

Deby,
When I was taught to make manual buttonholes before the day of the modern buttonholer, I was told to be sure to have it backed with interfacing to keep the buttonhole stabilized and from stretching. I was also taught to have interfacing behind buttons before stitching them on to keep them from pulling through the fabric. I have been sewing for 44 years and absolutely love your blog and videos. There is always something new to learn! Thanks.

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Linda

I like the idea of adding a light interfacing. Could make it stronger and last longer too, on something with heavier use or where there could be some strain on the buttons. Thanks for the tip.

Alexandra
Alexandra

I was taught to put a pin across the top of the inside of the button hole, pinned in horizontally. Then you use a seam ripper to cut up the buttonhole. The pin will form a barrier to stop it going too far. Has worked for me without fail for 30+ years now!

Mary
Mary

Well done Deb great video.

Becky M
Becky M

Enjoyed your video. I’m glad you’re giving buttonholes a try. It will open up a lot more sewing opportunities. One hint I can add is to use a bit of fray check down the middle of your buttonhole, prob on the back is best, and let it dry. Then when you cut it open you won’t have all the little frayed threads. You can also try cutting from each end to the middle to avoid cutting through one of the ends. That seems to help. I do prefer using the chisel and block myself. Love your blog. Happy sewing!

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Becky M

Thanks for the tip about the fray check. I’ll remember that for the future.

Misha C

I have a 4 step button hole function on my singer (it’s 10 yrs old and not posh like your machine but it gets the job done). I find it safer to use very sharp nail scissors to cut the button hole because I really botched one up badly with my seam ripper. I find button holes much easier than zips.

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Misha C

That’s a great tip for the nail scissors. It does worry me, I admit, that I’ll rip right on through.