How to Sew a Buttonhole Eyelet

You bought a cute jacket at a second hand store. After trying it on, you decided it would look better if it had several buttons on it. Sewing buttons on is easy enough, but you've never sewn a button hole and your sewing machine doesn't have a button hole attachment. That's not a problem. If your sewing machine can be adjusted to sew a zig-zag stitch--and most sewing machines can--then you can sew a button hole.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ruler Tailor's chalk Thread Buttons Scissors Utility knife

1. Measure the diameter of the button. If the buttons are still on the card they came on from the store, it will have this measurement on the card. If the buttons are not round, then measure across the widest spot.

2. Put the garment on and determine where the button holes need to be. Slip a straight pin in to mark those spots.

3. Mark the measurement of the button hole onto the garment, using a ruler and tailor's chalk. It needs to be slightly larger than the diameter of the button to prevent the material from being ripped by forcing the button through the hole. Add the location for other buttons, making sure the buttons are in a straight line down the garment.

4. Place the material under the presser foot of the machine, so that the line for the button hole is slightly to the right. Rotate the wheel on the sewing machine to manually insert the needle about 1/8 inch from the top of the line

5. Set the sewing machine for a narrow zig-zag stitch. Check the owner's manual for instructions on how to set the machine.

6. 
   Sewing first side of the button hole

   Sew a zig-zag stitch along side of the button hole line, keeping the stitch about 1/8 inch from the line. Stop 1/8 inch from the bottom of the line, with the needle on the outside of the edge, farthest away from the button hole line. Stop sewing.

7. Adjust the sewing machine to the widest zig-zag stitch. Lower the dog foot so the machine will not move the material forward and will hold the material in place for the next step.

8. 
   Sewing across the bottom of the button hole

   Sew a wide zig-zag stitch from the outside edge, past the button hole line and to the opposite side of the line. Repeat this zig-zag several times. Stop sewing.

9. Set the sewing machine back to the narrow zig-zag stitch. With the needle still in the material, lift the presser foot and rotate the material so you will be sewing in the opposite direction.

10. Sew a narrow zig-zag along the other side of the button hole line, just as you did the first side.

11. Adjust the sewing machine for the wide zig-zag and sew across both sides again, to finish the button hole.

12. Lay the garment on a surface that will not be damaged by cutting. This could be a cutting board or a marble slab. Use the utility knife and cut along the line in the center of the button hole. Insert the button to make sure the opening is large enough.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful using the utility knife.