The secrets of success for perfect profiled buttonholes

In this article I will share with you my valuable tips for making successful bound buttonholes. Profiled buttonholes are an aesthetic and practical element that adds a touch of sophistication to your clothes. Whether it’s a shirt, a jacket or a coat, these small details often make the difference. So, without further ado, let’s discover together how to make these lovely openings.

Choose the right material for bound buttonholes

First of all it is essential to select the right material to make your profiled slots. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A main fabric for your garment
• Contrasting fabric for the border (optional)
• Sharp sewing scissors
• A sewing machine equipped with a buttonhole function
• A foot specifically for buttonholes
• A seam ripper or utility knife for opening buttonholes
• Pins or clips to hold fabric in place

Take the time to properly prepare your work

Now that you have collected the necessary materials, it’s time to prepare the profiled buttonholes. Follow these steps to ensure you get off to a good start:

1. Mark the position of the buttonholes : Use a sewing pencil or chalk to precisely mark where you want to make the buttonholes on the main fabric.
2. Cut out rectangles of contrasting fabric : If you have chosen to use a contrasting fabric for the piping, cut out rectangles the same size as the buttonholes. Their width should be generous enough to fold in half and cover the edges of the rectangle.
3. Iron the piping rectangles : For a clean, professional finish, carefully iron the piping rectangles before sewing.

Sew the bound buttonholes step by step

Now it’s time to start sewing the bound buttonholes. Follow the steps given below carefully to get flawless results:

Step 1: Place the contrasting fabric

Start by placing the rectangle of contrasting fabric under the mark you made on the main fabric, right sides together. Pin or clip the two fabrics together to hold them in place while sewing.

Step 2: Make the first seam

Attach the specific buttonhole foot to the sewing machine. Sew a first line that is parallel and about the width of the presser foot from the top edge of the marker. Don’t forget to backstitch a few times at the beginning and end of the seam to secure it properly.

Step 3: Sew the second seam

For the second seam, you will simply sew in the opposite direction, this time the width of the presser foot from the bottom edge of the mark. Make sure the two seams are parallel.

Step 4: Make the piping

If you have chosen to use a contrasting fabric for the cord, now fold your rectangle towards the inside of the buttonhole, then fold it in half to get a nice border that covers the edges of the rectangle. Pin or clip the tubing into place.

Step 5: Sew the piping to the main fabric

Now it’s time to permanently attach your cute piping to the main fabric. To do this, sew approximately 1 millimeter of the internal edges of the cord, taking care to capture both the cord and the two layers of the main fabric.

Step 6: Opening the buttonhole

Finally, all you have to do is open the buttonhole. Using a seam ripper or craft knife, carefully draw a line down the center of the rectangle between the two parallel seams. Be careful not to cut the stitching threads when doing this step.

Video tip for successfully making profiled buttonholes

To better visualize these different stages, why not search a explanatory video on the Internet? You will be able to follow all the steps described above live and you will be sure to obtain impeccable results!

It is essential to take temp when making buttonholes with borders to avoid mistakes. By applying these tips and tricks, you are now ready to enhance your clothes with these little details that make the difference!

About the author

Clarisse Mercier

As a sewing lover, I manage the editorial side of ZoneCouture and share my discoveries and advice around this art here.