For rounded-end buttonholes, start rounding off the short ends as you approach them. You can make your stitches closer together to get a better rounded shape here. Work down the other long side, the same way as the first one, until you reach the second short end. Hand sewn buttonholes and machine sewn buttonholes both serve the same purpose, but they differ quite a bit in how they are done and how they look. When using a sewing machine to sew a buttonhole, you sew the buttonhole stitches on the fabric first, and then make a cut in the middle of the frame you’ve created. The tight zigzag stitches that make up the buttonhole prevent the fraying that occurs at the cut edge from traveling too far into the rest of your fabric. In contrast, when you’re hand sewing a buttonhole, you make the cut that will form your buttonhole first, and embroider stitches around it. As you’re wrapping the thread around the cut edge, the raw edges are completely enclosed within your stitching. This makes for a sturdier and more finished looking end product. Mark the position for each of your buttons. For our sample, we selected just one center point in our tiny cube. Remember to mark the point(s) on both the top and bottom of the cushion.

Slip off the needle and pull the ends taut, creating the depression of the tuft. As with the spacing, the tightness of the tuft is a matter of personal preference. The fibers of the thread and the fabric are likely to loosen with time, so it’s best to pull nice and tight. While you will likely get good results on your buttonholes on your first go with a sewing machine, hand sewn buttonholes take quite a bit of practice to get right. Make peace with the fact that your first few buttonholes will probably look bad, and keep practicing before you try to sew one on an actual garment! There’s a saying that it takes 100 buttonholes to get them just right, so be patient with yourself 🙂 In my experience, even doing 5 of them in practice gets you into a pretty good spot. Thread your needle with buttonhole twist or topstitching thread and run it through beeswax. Melt it onto the thread using the warmth of your hands or a hot, dry iron. It’s a specialty polyester embroidery and embellishment thread. It stores up light and glows in the dark. When should I use it?Insert your needle about 2 mm (less than ⅛”) away from the overcast edge, going from the underside of the fabric to the top. Keeping the gimp close to the overcast edge, put your needle through the loop that is formed, and pull it through. The gimp should now be trapped in the stitch you’ve made. Make sure to maintain the same orientation each time you’re going through the loop with your needle for even results.

Thank you for an informative Instructable. Well written and thoughtfully illustrated, I learned a lot.Serger thread comes on larger cones, and is more cost-effective than general purpose sewing thread. It’s also designed to be a bit fluffy for greater coverage on a serged edge. Photo credit: Kat Waters When should I use it? This is the original form of tufting. It uses a heavy thread in combination with an extra-long upholstery needle. The strength of the thread is key to withstand the pulling during construction as well as the pressure when complete. The stitching will be visible from both sides of the cushion, so that will determine the type of thread you select. Twine, button thread or waxed thread are the best options.

All-purpose polyester or cotton thread – I’d recommend you match the color either to your fabric or the buttonhole thread you’ll be using, so that the overcasting stitches blend in seamlessly.This thread should only be used for hand sewing, as the glazed finish will rub off on your machine’s needle and tension discs. There are a wide variety of metallic threads, but the one thing they have in common is their purpose: Adding a bit of sparkle to your sewing projects! Photo credit: Sara Maker When should I use it? Decide how many strands you need in your loop and repeat. I’ve done 8 strands. (There is a little guide at the end) Fasten your thread off securely. With a new length of thread, bring your needle out at the base of the loop on the left. Work from the left towards the right and cover the loop with a standard blanket stitch: just put your needle through the button loop and keep your thread BEHIND your needle and pull the thread firmly. Slide the stitch along the loop so it sits to the left, right at the beginning next to the fabric. Extra-fine thread is a 100% polyester specialty thread that is strong, yet very thin and smooth. When should I use it? If you’re sewing with delicate fabrics or a lighter weight silk thread (or both!), be sure to reduce your tension and select a smaller needle, such as a 60 or 70 (depending on the fabric) and test on a scrap first!