How to Secure a Buttonhole

Once you have finished sewing your buttonhole, you need to secure it so it won't unravel. Fortunately, with care and a steady hand, you will soon find yourself with a beautifully finished buttonhole in your garment.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Begin to secure the button hole by tying any loose ends of thread into a double knot and then snipping them.

2. Repeat step one for the back of the fabric when securing a buttonhole.

3. Open up the button hole by making a cut in the middle (lengthwise) with a small pair of scissors, or by using a seam ripper. Whatever you do use, make sure you do not cut any of the buttonhole's stitching.

4. Fold the buttonhole in half, and make a small cut in the middle of the buttonhole's stitching. Unfold the fabric, and finish making the actual hole with a pair of scissors.

5. Trim any extra threads or frayed fabric inside the buttonhole, making the opening clean. Do not cut any of the stitching of the buttonhole itself as it will unravel, making repairing the buttonhole very difficult.

6. Pick up one of the buttons you have chosen for your garment, and finish the process of securing the buttonhole by slipping the button through the buttonhole. Do this over and over until the button goes through the buttonhole fairly easily. However, take care not to stress the fabric unduly or make it tear. The buttonhole should ideally be a little smaller than the button itself, so that the buttons will securely hold the garment closed without the buttons popping open.