How to Sew Buttonholes

Co-authored by Lois Wade

Last Updated: December 16, 2021 Approved

Buttonholes are fairly quick and easy to sew. All it requires from you is a bit of patience and some careful marking and measuring beforehand. Keep reading to learn how to make them.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Machine Method

1
Set your stitch length to "satin" or nearly zero in length.
2
Put your buttonhole foot on the machine if you have one. While you can make a buttonhole with the "regular" presser foot attachment, the buttonhole foot helps you measure and make buttonholes of equal length easily.

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3
Measure the placement of your needed buttonhole(s).
4
Mark the placement with pins or tailor's chalk.
5
Place your presser foot at one end of the buttonhole marking.
6
Zig Zag or Satin Stitch a bar the entire width of the buttonhole. (See No. 1 in drawing)
7
Set the stitch width to half the width and stitch down on side of the button hole to the other end. (See No. 2 in drawing)
8
Zig Zag or Satin Stitch a bar the entire width of the button hole at the far end. (See No. 3 in drawing)
9
Re-set your stitch width to half the width and return back to your starting point, keeping your second stitch line parallel to the first. (See No. 4 in drawing)
10
Repeat the process for a thicker and more solid stitching line (and therefore buttonhole edge).
11
Use a seam ripper or sharp scissor to open the area between the sewn edges. Take care not to cut into the threads.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Hand Method

1
Measure and mark your buttonhole carefully.
2
Snip or cut the opening, taking care to leave few, if any, loose threads.
3
Thread a needle and tie a knot.
4
Bring the needle up from the back side of the material.
5
Loop the thread through the buttonhole and back up through the material.
6
Pass the needle through the loop formed and pull snug.
7
Repeat at close intervals.
8
Continue around the perimeter of the buttonhole slit until all raw edges are covered firmly and smoothly. You can roll the raw edge slightly as you stitch if you wish.

Community Q&A

Question

Why are buttonholes important in dress making?

Community Answer

They are only important if the dress you are making has buttons on it. Since most dresses have buttons, learning how to sew buttonholes is important.
Question

What factors determine the vertical or horizontal buttonhole?

Community Answer

Most "store-bought" clothing will have vertical buttonholes because they are faster and easier to sew in the factory. Horizontal buttonholes do not slip open as easily so are most common in home-sewn and quality clothing. A buttonhole placed on the front of a woman's blouse directly in line with the largest point of her breasts will prevent gaping that occurs when the button is placed incorrectly (as is done most often in manufactured clothing).
Question

Which side do the button holes go into on the back of a girl's dress?

Community Answer

The right side. Girls' and women's clothes are right over left. Men's and boys' are left over right.