How to Make a Needlepoint Buttonhole Stitch
Today, sewing machines create buttonholes with the touch of a button. There was a time, however, when most housewives knew how to buttonhole stitch. Even if you do not need to hand sew a buttonhole, this stitch is a pretty embellishment to a needlepoint project.
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Things You'll Need
- Scrap fabric square, 12-by-12 inches
- Sewing needle
- Multi-purpose thread
- Embroidery floss
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Wax (optional)
Instructions
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The buttonhole stitch is intended to keep the fabric, on either side of the button, from fraying over time. This stitch is also known as the "blanket stitch" because it makes a pretty edging on blankets. You will first work the stitch along the fabric's edge.
Begin by threading your needle with embroidery floss. Divide one floss strand in half and knot the end in a double knot. You will work this stitch from left to right.
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Find the center of one side of your fabric square. This point does not have to be exactly centered. Insert the needle, from below, just above the fabric's edge. Call this "Point A." Pull the needle and floss taut.
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Hold the bottom half of floss down with your thumb as you insert the needle 1/4 inch to the right and 1/4 inch above the fabric's edge. Bring the needle under the fabric and back through the fabric, vertically, about 1/4 inch to the right of Point A. If done correctly, the needle will be parallel to Point A.
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As you draw the thread through the fabric, allow it to pass over the floss you are holding with your thumb. Now, bring the needle under the fabric and, again, 1/4 inch to the right and 1/4 inch above the fabric's edge.
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Hold the floss with your thumb as you push the needle under the fabric and through, parallel to Point A. Make sure to allow the needle to pass over the floss you are holding down. Repeat these steps along the fabric's edge until you comfortable with this stitch.
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To make a buttonhole, use a pencil to mark a 1/2-inch line in the center of the fabric.
Bring the needle, now with multi-purpose thread, up through the fabric at one end of the pencil line. Follow the above steps, but use much smaller stitches. You will need to keep your stitches even and very close together, covering the fabric completely.
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Continue stitching around the pencil line but avoid sewing on the line. When you have completed one skinny, rectangular lap around the line, you should still see the pencil line in the center of the stitching. To finish, pass the needle under a few stitches on the back of the fabric and knot.
Trim your thread. Use the scissors and carefully cut the fabric along the pencil line. You should now have one buttonhole.
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Tips & Warnings
The buttonhole stitch takes some practice before the finished hole looks neat.
Waxing the thread before stitching will make the buttonhole stitch a little easier.
Keep the buttonhole stitch straight but avoid stitching on the pencil line. Otherwise, there will be loose threads when you cut the line open.
