Think you can’t do without a buttonhole foot? Well, you can! Here’s a tutorial on how to sew a buttonhole using a zigzag stitch. Make sure to sew a test buttonhole on a scrap of fabric first!
Mark the buttonhole length and placement on the fabric:
- Buttonhole length = button diameter + its height.
- Hole size for elastic or cord = elastic/cord width + 2−3 mm (1/8”). Interface the buttonhole area from the wrong side. You are going to need a regular presser foot. The settings you need:
- zigzag stitch;
- 0−1 stitch length;
- 2 mm stitch width;
- standard (average) thread tension. Decrease or increase it if necessary.
Steps:
- Place the garment under the foot. Lower the needle to the end point of the perpendicular marking and sew along the line. Stop and move the needle to the far left position.
- Lower the needle. Raise the foot, pivot around 180 degrees, and change the stitch width to 5 mm. Raise the needle so that it shifts against the stitching line. Move the garment so that the needle hits exactly at the edge of the buttonhole and then lower the needle. Secure the edge with 3-5 reinforcement stitches.
- Change the stitch width to 2 mm and move the garment so that the needle hits the edge of the buttonhole. Sew along the marked line on the other side.
- When you reach the end of the marking, stop and move the needle to the far left position.
- Lower the needle. Raise the foot, pivot 180 degrees, and change the stitch width to 5 mm. Raise the needle so that it shifts against the stitching line. Move the garment so that the needle hits exactly at the edge of the buttonhole and then lower the needle. Secure the edge with 3-5 reinforcement stitches.
- Remove the garment from under the foot. Press it. Pull the thread ends to the wrong side. Tie them with a knot and hide them between the fabric layers.
- Secure the edges with pins, inserting them at the right angle to the buttonhole. Cut the buttonhole open. Trim off any loose threads.
Read more sewing tips here:
How to sew buttons on without making a knot first
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