Sewing Q&A
Terry Siemsen
Do you have any tips for making buttonholes in fleece? Mine always seem to ripple.
Mary J.,
Sandwich, MA
To prevent any buttonhole from rippling, the fabric needs to be stabilized in some way. If the fabric is able to stretch, as fleece does, the buttonhole also will stretch. The following techniques will help prevent the rippled effect.
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The easiest solution to prevent rippling on fleece fabrics is to interface behind the buttonholes (Figure 1). Slip a piece of woven, sew-in interfacing between the garment and facing layers behind each buttonhole. Or, cut the entire facing from a coordinating woven fabric.
Figure 1
Stabilize buttonholes with interfacing.
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Experiment with your machine's buttonholes to get the best-looking stitch. Too much thread buildup in the buttonhole also can cause ripples. Reduce the density by lengthening the stitch (Figure 2).
Figure 2
Lengthen stitch to reduce density.
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Use a stabilizer on each side as you sew. Use a water-soluble stabilizer on the garment right side and a tear-away stabilizer on the wrong side.
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Cording will stabilize and strengthen the buttonhole. Stitch the buttonhole over a length of heavy topstitching thread or several strands of regular thread (Figure 3). Knot the cording ends together and tuck them under the bar tack. Trim any loose ends.
Figure 3
Stitch buttonholes over cord.
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Stitch the buttonhole over clear elastic. It will "remember" the shape even after buttoning and unbuttoning many times. Trim excess close to the stitching.
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