This is a "buttonhole," dear readers. Oh, you couldn't tell? You thought perhaps it was an thread-worked interpretation of a knife wound? An art therapy project by a very disturbed individual? No, it is my first attempt at a handworked buttonhole, led by the trusty guidance of VoNBSS. And I am putting my shame out there for the entire internets to see.Here's what VoNBSS told me, not mentioning the horror that was to come:
"The next step is handwork, so why not get the ball game or symphony, or your favorite soap opera on the radio? This time, we're going to make a handworked buttonhole from buttonhole twist."Oh, thank you VoNBSS, don't mind if I do! Let me just grab a Diet Coke and turn on Judge Judy. And that was how it all started.
Here's what was supposed to happen:
Oh, how that page mocks me. And all the while, not two yards away, sits my lovely sewing machine with its glowing LCD screen and its glorious one-step buttonhole stitch.But don't worry, readers. I will persevere. For a while anyway. And then I will give up and use my one-step buttonholer. Don't judge me.
Do NOT despair Gertie! I did some hand-worked buttonholes on a suit a few months ago that turned out horribly. Even with very, very careful stitching and a working knowledge of embroidery! Bah!
ReplyDeleteJust use the machine. No judging at all.
And while not appropriate for a silk slip -- look into the bound buttonhole method. I'd recommend getting the vintage bound buttonhole tool (ages easier than freehanding it). But BBs only work with more substantial fabrics.
Hey, you get an A+ for effort. This book has such humor---love the soap opera on the radio!
ReplyDeleteAt least you tried. I don't even want to. I'll just let my sewing machine handle it.
ReplyDeleteI give you credit for trying! My machine ones don't even look so good.
ReplyDeleteAnd it looks like that's only one layer of fabric, without interfacing. Hey, even when soaps were on the radio, interfacing would have been used. My 1946 Featherweight makes beautiful buttonholes, I'd do them by machine :-)
ReplyDeleteMeredith, you're right, there's only one layer here and no interfacing. I was just doing a practice one to try out the stitch, and well, I got a little discouraged. Oddly, neither VoNBSS nor the pattern called for iterfacing on the waistband. Odd, huh? Also, you have a '47 Featherweight? That's awesome! I am so tempted by a '51 centennial model--wouldn't that be just the thing for this whole project?
ReplyDeleteAmanda, the next project calls for bound buttonholes. What is this tool you speak of? I'll have to look into that!
I will find it! It's MAGIC. Seriously. Don't do the bound buttonhole until you find one. Link coming shortly....
ReplyDeleteOh, that's how mine looked too when I tried one last year. It makes me (well almost, but maybe not really) miss the time when I was living with my mum and she would hand sew the buttonholes for my projects. But I guess she had to get through the same process too before she nailed it. As for bound buttonholes, they are much easier than they look. Thankfully!
ReplyDeleteBound buttonholes can also be done by hand, and they still look really good, because none of the stitching shows on the front.
ReplyDeleteThat was not bad for a first effort. Next time make sure you use interfacing between two layers of fabric. After that whipstitch around the buttonhole a couple of times around before you start the actuall buttonhole stitch. Also wax your thread and if available use silk thread. If all else fails and you just want the look of a handworked buttonhole, make the buttonhole on the machine and then work the bottonhole stitch around it by hand. I've done it with absolutely fabulous results!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love the suggestion of using a machine sewn buttonhole and then stitching around it for a hand sewn look! If anything, I might use that tip to practice with. I haven't given up on myself yet. :)
ReplyDeleteOne more tip - don't use a seam ripper to slit the buttonhole open because it stretches the fabric and leaves you with a puckered buttonhole. And scissors sometimes aren't accurate enough or sharp enough at the tip to get the precise length of the buttonhole. So use a buttonhole cutter, or narrow wood chisel and hammer. One 1/4" or 3/8" wood chisel would work for any width of button hole.
ReplyDeleteHand-worked buttonholes are difficult to master, but so rewarding in the end! It took me a many a stupid-looking buttonhole attempt to finally "get it". I think the key for me was when I realized I could use the grain of the fabric as a guide for my stitches. That results in perfectly straight stitches and a very professional-looking buttonhole.
ReplyDeleteJust keep working on it! You'll be a pro in no time! :D
~Bess B.
I know this is an old post, but mastering hand-worked buttonholes was one of my big goals this year and the simplest little tip I received from the tailor who I work with turned out to be the key: wax, wax, wax! Seriously, my buttonholes looked just like yours and immediately upon extra-waxing my thread, the difference was astonishing.
ReplyDeleteWHAT?!?!? you didn't like hand stiching the button hole? It takes some practice. Keep at it. And don't watch TV while doing it until you're realy good at it!! I'm not good at finishing inside garments sometimes. so don't feel too bad!!
ReplyDeleteHand stitching buttonholes are a complete pain. I'm a confident handsewer but they are so tedious (takes me an hour to do one buttonhole) and never as neat as you want. But my machine (which by the way I loathe and will avoid using at all costs) doesn't do a buttonhole and I can't change feet on it. So handsewn buttonhole is my only option.
ReplyDelete