Learn how to make the buttonholes then add buttons to the shirt front in this episode of The Perfect Blouse. Sewing instructor Sandra Miller explains how to establish proper placement through measuring and marking. Then she explains how to make the buttonholes and sew on the buttons accurately.

Sandra works with The Blouse Perfected, a shirt pattern from Cutting Line Designs.

Measure for proper placement

First measure from your shoulder at the neck to the bust apex. Use that measurement to adjust the shirt front pattern. Sandra walks through this process. Measuring your body and marking the pattern helps to determine the vertical button placement at the bustline. From that mark, the rest of the buttonhole marks can be determined.

Sandra uses a SimFlex, an expanding sewing gauge, to make the remaining buttonhole marks on the front placket.

Wrap a piece of water-soluble stabilizer around each buttonhole mark before machine-sewing the buttonholes. Sandra explains why and offers a tip for machine-stitching the buttonholes more easily.

Then add a buttonhole to the collar band. This is a bulky area, and Sandra has some recommendations for getting the placement correct.

 

Cut the buttonhole

Learn the secret to success before cutting the buttonhole open. Then find out how to use a chisel and wood block to cut each buttonhole open.

Attach the buttons

Mark where to sew on the buttons. Those spots are not where you may think, but Sandra shows where the markings work best.

Then find out how to treat the thread before sewing the buttons, for easier sewing.

Coming up

In the next episode, Sandra takes a look at some design options for you to consider when making a shirt.