Replies

1. 
   sewpro | Oct 14, 2005 03:04am | #1

   I would go with the cord not against. Also, you might want to make your machine buttonhole (narrow), cut it and then do a hand buttonhole stitch like a classic men's tailored one. I can't remember where I saw this, it may have been in a book on men's tailoring. I have been really happy with the results and it gives you more control over the finished product. But if you have a really good machine buttonholer you might be fine. Try a keyhole and be sure that you have a good stabilizer (interfacing). Good luck!

2. 
   stitchmd | Oct 14, 2005 11:58pm | #2

   Try stabilizer if you haven't, or a stiffer stabilizer if you're aleady using one.

1. 
   clairezbo | Oct 17, 2005 04:11pm | #5

   I tried a stabilizer on a test buttonhole, and you could see the white on the underside of the buttonhole. How do I handle this??? Or am I doing it wrong????

1. 
   stitchmd | Oct 17, 2005 09:42pm | #6

   Do you mean stabilizer or interfacing? You might need interfacing, which will stay in the garment. It is only available in white and black, as far as I know. If your fabric is dark enough black might show less. You can also color the white edges where they show with fabric markers or permanent markers to match the fabric. Stabilizer is something temporary you use to hold the fabric smoothe and give it more body during stitching, like when you're doing buttonholes or embroidery, or even some seams and hems on stretchy fabrics. You can get it in wash away, tear away or heat removal types. You can even dissolve the wash away and paint it on the fabric.

1. 
   clairezbo | Oct 18, 2005 04:44pm | #7

   well, thank you for the tips on stabilizers. I had no idea that you could use the wash away. I quess I just never thought of it. How ever I took the easy way out, and made the buttonholes with the cord. They look just fine. But the next jacket I will try the wash away stabilizer. In fact I am off to the store to buy some and try some test buttonholes right now. Thanks again,

1. 
   stitchmd | Oct 18, 2005 11:17pm | #8

   You're welcome and I'm glad you got them done. When you use that stabilizer cut or tear away as much as possible and then just dissolve the little that's caught in the stitching. Makes for less mess. Please tell us how it worked out so others who haven't used this can learn from your tries.

2. 
   mem | Oct 19, 2005 02:37am | #9

   I would use a really soluable one

3. 
   mem | Oct 17, 2005 02:38am | #3

   use stabilizer perhaps both on top and bottom.

4. 
   Megh | Oct 17, 2005 01:00pm | #4

   Also, if your jacket is a little bit sporty, what about stitching down a piece of ultra-suede, denim, or leather and putting the buttonhole on that? 

   Meg