Have you ever wondered how to make a buttonhole that is exactly the right size to accommodate a large button with a shank? There's an easy, fail safe method for determining the length of a buttonhole.
Until the other day, I've always measured the diameter of the button, and then added a little bit. I've never worried too much about the exactness of the extra little bit.
Two factors combined to make me find out just how much extra to add. The button was a big, round one with a shank, and adding the button was the last step in a pattern testing project.
The formula over at Sew Mama Sew resulted in a buttonhole that was the perfect length first time. I wasn't game enough to test it on the actual project. First buttonhole on scrap fabric, then the machine automatically sews identical buttonholes till I switch it off.
How do you work out the length of your buttonholes?
That's all of the test project that I can show you for now. You'll have to wait till next week to see the whole thing.
... Pam
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I completely avoid making buttonholes because the buttonholer for my machine scares me :D My mom, decades ago, had a "fancy" electronic machine called an Athena 2000 (a Singer). It completely fascinated me that you could put a button in a little slot somewhere, and the machine. would. make. a. buttonhole. to. fit. it. perfectly. *jaw drop*. That machine, so fancy at the time, was my introduction to sewing, and to the wonders of fun new technology :D
ReplyDeleteI just avoid making the button holes as long as possible. LOL
ReplyDeletePretty much the same as you, width of the button plus a little extra. I have a machine with a buttonhole foot, you put the button in the back and it sews the right size. Buttonholes are just not that hard to do on my other machine, sewing enthusiasts should go for it and not be so scared. It just takes a bit of time to line them up and go.
ReplyDeleteI use the buttonhole foot on my machine which has worked out. Your spherical button would have sent me straight to Google to see if additional rules might apply. I ALWAYS do a practice run!
ReplyDeleteI use the buttonhole foot on my machine too, but it does limit you with the size of button you can use as I have found to my cost!
ReplyDeleteThanks, so useful! I love my machine's buttonhole foot, but the proper length of the buttonholes has always been a bit of a mystery for me (I mostly relied on luck, and it worked.. most of the times, haha!) No more buttonhole mysteries now :)
ReplyDeleteI love that, 'the diameter of the button and a bit' thats what I normally do. But I do always do a test on a scrap first. I'm hoping over to Sew Mama Sew to see what I should be doing right now, thanks.
ReplyDeleteHave a machine foot which you slot the button onto, put on the machine and it does the right length, I know so lazy, lol
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with us at the To grandma's house we go link party last week! You will be featured tomorrow morning when the new party starts!
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