Sickie sewing
Oh man, I have been bad about updating my blog this past week! My husband and I have had the worst colds and to top it off work has been incredibly busy. When I get home all I want to do is watch TV and fall asleep, so I haven't been sewing as much as I would like. I'm happy to report that progress has been made with my Chelsea wearable muslin though! All it needs is a hem and buttons on the yoke. However, and I am embarrassed to admit this, I am terrified of buttonholes. I have never sewn them before, but I am facing my fears this weekend and trying them out (are you laughing at me????). Does anyone have any tips for me?
P.S. This pattern is awesome and I can't wait to cut into my fabric for the final garment.
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Buttonholes aren't scary! I use a vintage Singer buttonholer, and it gives nice results. My tips are to practice a few first on some scraps of your fabric, and make sure you interface the area where the buttonholes will be stitched. They need the reinforcement or they will stretch out. Good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteExactly what the first lady said, especially re the practice. Also when cutting open the buttonhole put a pin at either end so you dont accidentally cut too far and go through the bar tack stitches at the end. Have no fear :)
ReplyDeleteI'll third that! Definitely practice on scraps :) If it makes you feel any better, I did my first buttonhole only a few short months ago and I was nervous too! ^_^
ReplyDeleteYou can do it!! ditto on the practice and interfacing. I use washable marker to draw a line where I want my buttonhole, then line it up and let the machine do the work. Mine is 4-step, so you just move the dial for each step. I have a sharp seam ripper that is effective for slashing open the buttonhole but have used scissors too--just be careful like previous commenter says. Also, call me and we can face-time if you have any questions ;) You can do it!!
ReplyDeleteHah, I've never made a buttonhole either and I'm scared too! But we'll both get there I'm sure :D Good luck! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteha! i'm terrified of buttonholes too!!! they seem so much harder than zippers & i love doing both regular & invisible zippers. *fellow sewing buddy up north (bay area).
ReplyDeleteYOU CAN DO IT ERIN! I echo all the above advice. First, prepare some scrap fabric that is exactly the same as your finished fabric, interfacing and all. Second, practice a bunch of button holes on that scrap and try to put your button of choice through the hole until you feel 150% solid about it. Then sew your button holes on the dress and know that while it's a pain, you can still take out your stitches. Lastly, I put a pin at the top of the button hole and use my seamripper to cut the hole, stopping at the pin. I then take the pin out and turn the button hole around and get any last little bit that didn't cut through. Sew on your buttons and you're good to go!
ReplyDeletePS- muslin is looking good and I hope you feel better!
I'm with you; buttonholes scare the bejeesus out of me. I sew on an old singer machine that doesn't have any type of special buttonhole function and the whole process became SOOO much easier when I discovered a vintage buttonholer attachment at an estate sale. Now they're still scary but not like they used to be. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the right equipment can make a big difference!
ReplyDeleteGet well soon! We're sick here, too, with awful colds :( I am loving your Chelsea dress! Buttonholes aren't really scary, but they sure can feel that way. Just mark them well and off you go! You'll be great :)
ReplyDeleteAw man, hope you and Luke feel better soon! The dress looks cute! Buttonholes stressed me out majorly, like, I put off finishing up my Banksia top for a few days because I didn't want to mess up the buttonholes. But really, just do practice runs first and you'll be surprised at how easy they are! Just mark your buttonhole placement carefully and you'll be good to go!
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