Replies

1. 
   suesew | Jun 25, 2004 04:09am | #1

   Use a fusible light weight interfacing, something flexible like the kind that feels like a tricot knit and then practice, practice, practiice. Also, don't try to make the welts too thin.

   good luck

1. 
   Susannah | Jun 28, 2004 04:04am | #3

   Hi

   I've just read Carol's post, and I agree - bound buttonholes with a contrast fabric with a close weave seemed logical to me (because I have tried this, and it worked well).  I made a jacket in a very loose weave linen-type fabric, and the test buttonholes I practiced on didn't seem to work.  Then a friend suggested bound buttonholes, but mentioned that loose weave fabrics for the lips of the buttonhole were tricky, so she suggested using another fabric.  I found a silk dupion which was a brilliant match for colour, and used it for the buttonholes, covered buttons, and a cami to wear under the jacket.

   good luck

   Sue from Tasmania

1. 
   Bernice | Jun 30, 2004 06:44pm | #4

   The contrasting bound buttonholes sound beautiful and would be a lovely design detail.  OTOH, if you're interested in having just the button be the focal point, consider using regular buttonholes - they'll just blend into the tweed and disappear and all you see is a beautiful button!Bernice

1. 
   mem1 | Jul 06, 2004 04:20am | #5

   Well Ihave done the button holes and the one that was best was a spanish snap button hole which Roberta Carr describes .I sewed it with the tiniest size stitch and it worked very well just subsiding into the pile of the fabric.

1. 
   edgy | Jul 06, 2004 08:14pm | #6

   Can you give us a link for this? I think w so many of us making the Chanel-type jacket, a lot of folks would be interested.

   Thks,

   Nancy

2. 
   KarenW | Jul 08, 2004 07:33pm | #7

   Is the SPanish snap buttonhole described in Roberta's book or video? I have both but do not recall this... I haven't read the book completely though.I made a tweedy/boucle suit last month and ended up doing regular buttonholes as well so they'd blend in as mentioned. I'm glad my sister in law went thread shopping with me for the buttonholes, I was going to pick up one of the pinks that was part of the fabric (it's actually shown on the cover of the new "early autumn" Simplicity catalog), but she talked me into a much more neutral tone that was in the weave - I really wanted the pearl/gold buttons as a focal point, not the buttonholes and choosing a neutral color and not emphasizing the buttonholes did indeed make them disappear and call attention to lovely buttons. Thanks for mentioning Roberta Carr, I'll re-review her materials!Karen

3. 
   FitnessNut | Jul 08, 2004 09:31pm | #8

   Not Mem, but the Spanish snap buttonhole is described in Roberta Carr's book, beginning on page 187. I have to admit that I've never done the technique, but am intrigued. It sounds as if this is a very versatile buttonhole. Guess I'm going to have to get out some scraps and have a go at it!

4. 
   Merryll | Jul 13, 2004 07:45pm | #9

   I want to mention that I've used this simple buttonhole on numerous garments, and it's worked very well. Be certain to support the buttonhole area with some fusible tricot knit under the fabric before you begin, and you'll be happier with your results. Also, I can't mention enough how wonderful Roberta's video and books are.

   Merryll

5. 
   mem1 | Jul 19, 2004 03:13am | #10

   The spanish snap button hole is on Robertas video , The one about fine sewing techniques and is in her book. It is very simple to do and is very  good on knits which have been backed with interfacing and and is also good for small button holes.Be Warned you MUST use very small stitches and make the button holes before constructing the rest of the garment. Good Luck!

2. 
   carolfresia | Jun 25, 2004 03:30pm | #2

   YOu could also consider making the lips of the buttonholes in a contrasting fabric--dupioni, wool crepe, or ultrasuede, maybe? Something that's slightly less ravelly than the tweed.

   Carol