In this video, the first of a six-part series on creating bound buttonholes, tailoring expert and Threads author Daryl Lancaster explains the benefits of bound buttonholes over stitched ones. She shows several examples in handmade garments, all in different fabric types. Daryl goes over the history of the bound buttonhole in 20th-century clothing and encourages viewers to try these high-level, but doable, buttonholes.
Daryl explains that, while her method has a long set of steps, it is the most straightforward method she knows and produces the best results. This technique relies on precise marking and sewing. Each step can be redone for greater accuracy, until the end of the process. Therefore, you can be assured that the final buttonholes will be sturdy and look attractive.
The buttonholes should be created before the garment is assembled, for ease of handling. That means you’ll need to select buttons before making the garment, so you know exactly what size to make the buttonholes.
Each part of the bound buttonhole process is explained in a series of videos:
“Marking the Buttonhole Placement”
“Creating the Buttonhole Lips”
“Attaching the Lips to the Garment”
“Finishing the Buttonhole’s Wrong Side”
To follow the steps in print, look for Daryl’s article “Bound Buttonholes for All,” Threads #197, June/July 2018.
It's really useful! thanks for sharing this information!
Thank you for posting the tutorials on bound buttonholes. Very helpful and Daryl is a very excellent instructor. The comment about making your bound buttonholes right after you stay stitch was great.
Thanks for sharing this post!
Very informative post!
I use bound buttonholes in my suits and coats. I love the way she presents the lesson. I especially love the way she finishes the facing. This is much easier and prevents raveling, which may occur with the cut and cut method.
I was wondering where the instructions for this method were available in a book, as mentioned in the first video. As well as a video, I find it very helpful to have written instructions to refer to while sewing,p.
Hi!
The instructions for bound buttonholes are available in Daryl's article, "Bound Buttonholes for All," Threads #197. You can access this as an Insider through the online archive, if you don't have the issue in your collection. I agree with you that it can be helpful to have all the steps and photos printed for reference as you are sewing. This is a terrific method for creating great-looking bound buttonholes. If you are methodical and take your time, you can hardly go wrong.
Best,
Carol Fresia, Threads Senior Technical Editor
Lovely, thank you. I will seek it out.
I believe there was also mention by the author that she had seen this technique described in a book only once since learning it from her mother, and if anyone knows which book that was, please comment as well.