Entry tags:
Buttonholes
I marked out the 9 buttonholes on the doublet and I've sewn five so far.
This is not the first time I've hand-sewn buttonholes, but it's the first time I really care much what they look like. I am trying to do it properly.
For each buttonhole, first I outlined with small-spaced running stitch in all-purpose cotton thread, then slit it open, with the leading edge rounded slightly. Then I whip-stitched around the whole buttonhole with cotton thread. I sewed the buttonhole stitches with #8 pearl silk thread. It's not ideal, but I couldn't find a good color match in the silk buttonhole twist. It works as long as I use short lengths to keep it smooth.
I checked the photos in Patterns of Fashion for buttonhole shapes. It seems that often both ends were hidden by trim or more embroidery. Most that were wholly visible had a rounded leading edge and a bar-tack made in buttonhole stitch, which surprised me; I assumed a bar-tack would always be done with little short straight stitches. But I did the end in buttonhole stitch and rounded the other end, and it looks okay.
( Detail )
4 to go, then I'll attach the buttons and it will be done. The buttons are self-fabric sewn over a wooden form.
( Buttons )
I could have used that lovely pearl silk to make thread buttons, but I just wasn't in the mood to go there. When I can hand-sew buttonholes in my sleep, then maybe I will make thread buttons.
This is not the first time I've hand-sewn buttonholes, but it's the first time I really care much what they look like. I am trying to do it properly.
For each buttonhole, first I outlined with small-spaced running stitch in all-purpose cotton thread, then slit it open, with the leading edge rounded slightly. Then I whip-stitched around the whole buttonhole with cotton thread. I sewed the buttonhole stitches with #8 pearl silk thread. It's not ideal, but I couldn't find a good color match in the silk buttonhole twist. It works as long as I use short lengths to keep it smooth.
I checked the photos in Patterns of Fashion for buttonhole shapes. It seems that often both ends were hidden by trim or more embroidery. Most that were wholly visible had a rounded leading edge and a bar-tack made in buttonhole stitch, which surprised me; I assumed a bar-tack would always be done with little short straight stitches. But I did the end in buttonhole stitch and rounded the other end, and it looks okay.
( Detail )
4 to go, then I'll attach the buttons and it will be done. The buttons are self-fabric sewn over a wooden form.
( Buttons )
I could have used that lovely pearl silk to make thread buttons, but I just wasn't in the mood to go there. When I can hand-sew buttonholes in my sleep, then maybe I will make thread buttons.