I wasn't going to make bound buttonholes, but when I got my buttons they were too lovely, and I felt they deserved bound buttonholes. So I made them the same way as the buttonholes on my green coat, which was to make them using the instructions from this ebook by Karen from Did You Make That?.
This method uses welts to make the "legs" of the buttonholes, and I found this to be so much easier than using the method with a patch of fabric. Here's what my buttonholes look like. Sorry about the fuzzy photo!
And here's what they're like from the back.
This is my practice buttonhole. Needless to say, I'm pretty pleased with them!
The back stay helps to stop the upper back of the coat from stretching. I drafted mine using the Craftsy Class "Classic Tailoring: The Blazer". These attach to the centre back, side back, and side front pieces.
Here are the pieces attached to the back of my coat. They are sewn to each piece within the seam allowance, then the coat pieces sewn together. The bottom edge is cut with pinking shears so a ridge doesn't show through.
I've also seen back stays made in one piece, and did this on my green coat, but it makes more sense to me to support each seem.
Next time I shall waffle about the interfacing.
Lynne
You know, in all my years of sewing, I've never done a bound buttonhole...! The welt idea sounds much better and I would love to try them like that. Yours are so neat.
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane! Honestly, these bound buttonholes are so easy. I would never use the patch method again. I've always found it tricky to get the buttonholes to look even with the patch method. And I think the welt method gives the "legs" a bit more stability.
DeleteThey look really good - a great technique to master - I'm reading these posts with interest, shoring them up for future reference!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah! I was reading my tailoring book last night, and it uses the patch method, but adds cord to stabilise the buttonhole. It made sense, but I'll be sticking with the welts!
DeletePerfect, they look to neat. This coat deserves bound button holes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruth! Last night I was looking up creating the back of the buttonholes in the facing. There's a dodgy way of just cutting into the facing and stitching it in place, but that seemed scary! I'll be doing i the "creating a window in the facing" way.
DeleteGreat buttons, that kind of detail finishes things off perfectly.
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen! I really love these buttons!
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