How To Make A Buttonhole

Learn how to make a buttonhole with this step-by-step tutorial. Now it is time to learn how to sew a buttonhole. Making buttonholes are somewhat of an advanced technique, but they are super simple to make once you get the hang of it.

If you have been following along with the Simple Sewing Series, you have already learned how to sew a seam, hem, and a ruffle. Today, I want to show you how to sew a buttonhole. 

This is a great sewing skill to learn. Sure you could sew tons of things like curtains, pillows, aprons, and never need to learn it, but there are a few things that I have enjoyed sewing for my home and for my kids that you need a buttonhole for.

It’s actually a very simple process once you learn it. So let’s jump right in.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Why Should I Learn How to Make Buttonholes?

Buttonholes add a functionality, and a lovely detail to dresses, pillow covers and aprons in your home. 

Sometimes you need to think beyond the button when making buttonholes. In my Bow in The Back Summer Know Dress tutorial, for example, I used buttonholes on the back to tie a lovely bow. 

Tips For Making Buttonholes

• When sewing a buttonhole, the  machine is going to be sewing backwards so you start at the bottom of the buttonhole and go up. Keep that in mind whenever you are marking and measuring the buttonhole for the project you are making.
• If you are sewing a bunch of buttons, you will want to mark them all before sewing, so that you have the right spacing.
• It’s always a good idea to do some practice buttonholes on scrap fabric before trying to sew a real one on a project.
• Use a fabric marker to mark where you want the buttonholes to go.

Tools you will need:

• Sewing machine- I have this computerized one and this standard sewing machine.
• Thread
• Buttonhole Food
• Fabric
• Seam Ripper
• Fabric marker

How To Make A Buttonhole FAQ

What Sewing Machine do I need to Make a Buttonhole?

I have two sewing machines. One that is a computerized sewing machine and one that is not computerized. Honestly, I have used both to make buttonholes. However, I do prefer my computerized one because it does the majority of the work for me, but I have used both to make buttonholes and both of them do the job well.

What Should I do Before I Start Making a Buttonhole?

I would first do a practice run to make sure that everything is working right on some scrap fabric. I know that I have done it wrong once or twice and accidentally messed up a project the first time.

I Messed up On the Buttonhole. Is there a way to fix it?

If you didn’t already cut open the button hole then you can just ripe out the button hole threads with a seam ripper.

How to Make a Buttonhole Video Tutorial

How to Make a Buttonhole | The Process

Step 1

First, find the button(s) that you would like to use on your project. Next, find the button hole foot for your sewing machine and attach it to your sewing machine. Your button foot may look different than mine, but the process will be very similar.

Step 2

Next, grab your fabric marker and make two small lines about 1/2 a centimeter further than the outside of the button. You want the buttonhole to be just a bit larger than your button, so that it is easier to get your button in and out.

Now keep in mind that if you are doing a bunch of buttons, you are going to want to mark them all up front, so that you have the right spacing.

Step 3

On the right of your sewing machine, you should see your sewing guide. Find your buttonhole stitches, and turn your dial to the coordinating stitch number/letter. Now, turn your dial to step 1, which is “a”. A is going to make the bottom of the button hole.

A Quick Note

As you are creating a buttonhole your machine is going to be sewing backwards. So, you are going to start at the bottom of the buttonhole and go up. Keep that in mind whenever you are marking and measuring the buttonhole for the project you are making.

Step 4

Place your fabric under the buttonhole foot so that the bottom marking can be seen through the window in the foot. Test to make sure your needle actually hits the marking by moving the wheel on the right side your sewing machine until the needle almost touches the fabric. If it sits right on top of the marking, then it is perfectly lined up.

Slowly press down your pedal and give it about five or so stitches. When the needle stops on the left side, switch the dial over to “b”. Step b is going to make the left side of the buttonhole. Sew all the way to the top blue marking.

Step 5

Once the blue marking is in the window, switch the dial over to step “c”. Step c is going to make the top of the button hole. Again, sew back and forth about five times until the needle is on the right side of the fabric.

Step 6

Switch the dial over to step “d”. Step d is going to sew the right side of the buttonhole. Sew all the way down the fabric until the needle meets the bottom thread that was sewn in step “a”.

Now at this point, if you want to, you can go through steps a-d to make the button hole thread a bit thicker, but you do not have to.

Step 7

Take a seam ripper and carefully slide it through the center of the buttonhole.

And that’t it! It really is that simple!

Other Simple Sewing Series Posts

Basic Sewing Essentials for a Beginner

How to Thread a Sewing Machine

How to Thread a Bobbin

How to Sew a Seam

How to Sew a Hem

How to Sew a Pillow Cover

How to Sew a Ruffle

How to Dye and Sew Drop Cloth Curtains

How to Sew a Skirt

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