Sewing Q&A
Terry Siemsen
How do I determine the correct length for buttonholes, and what's the best placement for them?
Caroll S.,
Garden City, ID
To find the buttonhole length, add the button diameter and thickness. Make a sample buttonhole using the same fabric and interfacing that will be used in the finished garment. Test with the chosen buttons to ensure they will slide through the buttonhole easily.
Buttonholes are usually placed on the right bodice front for women's garments and the left bodice front for men's. Locate one buttonhole near the point of greatest strain to prevent gapping (for women, the fullest point of the bustline), then space the remaining buttonholes evenly along the length.
For center front or back openings, buttons are positioned along the center front/back line. Horizontal buttonholes begin 1/8" beyond the center line toward the garment edge to accommodate the shank (1). Vertical buttonholes are placed directly on the center front or back lines.
Start buttonhole 1/8" beyond center front line.
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