How to Sew Buttonholes

Machine Method

Set your stitch length to "satin" or nearly zero in length.

Put your buttonhole foot on the machine if you have one. While you can make a buttonhole with the "regular" presser foot attachment, the buttonhole foot helps you measure and make buttonholes of equal length easily.

Measure the placement of your needed buttonhole(s).

Mark the placement with pins or tailor's chalk.

Place your presser foot at one end of the buttonhole marking.

Zig Zag or Satin Stitch a bar the entire width of the buttonhole. (See No. 1 in drawing)

Set the stitch width to half the width and stitch down on side of the button hole to the other end. (See No. 2 in drawing)

Zig Zag or Satin Stitch a bar the entire width of the button hole at the far end. (See No. 3 in drawing)

Re-set your stitch width to half the width and return back to your starting point, keeping your second stitch line parallel to the first. (See No. 4 in drawing)

Repeat the process for a thicker and more solid stitching line (and therefore buttonhole edge).

Use a seam ripper or sharp scissor to open the area between the sewn edges. Take care not to cut into the threads.

Hand Method

Measure and mark your buttonhole carefully. EXPERT TIP David Reeves David Reeves Bespoke Tailor David Reeves is a Bespoke Tailor and the Founder of Reeves: Modern English Tailoring, based in New York City. David has been in the bespoke tailoring business for over 25 years and specializes in designing and creating custom, high-end suits. David has worked with influential names in the United Kingdom and the United States such as Richard James of Savile Row, Prada, Commes Des Garcons, and Timothy Everest. David Reeves David Reeves Bespoke Tailor Hand-stitching buttonholes adds a personal touch to garments. Hand-stitching buttonholes is a hallmark of quality craftsmanship in tailoring. The silk thread and wax build structure and form, while each stitch reflects the tailor's skill. Not just aesthetic, these buttonholes showcase personal attention to detail in a bespoke garment.

Snip or cut the opening, taking care to leave few, if any, loose threads.

Thread a needle and tie a knot.

Bring the needle up from the back side of the material.

Loop the thread through the buttonhole and back up through the material.

Pass the needle through the loop formed and pull snug.

Repeat at close intervals.

Continue around the perimeter of the buttonhole slit until all raw edges are covered firmly and smoothly. You can roll the raw edge slightly as you stitch if you wish.