Learn how to sew a buttonhole by hand with our step-by-step guide
Sewing a buttonhole, also known as a buttonhole stitch, is a key technique to master when learning to sew. It allows you to professionally finish projects including blouses, trousers, bags and cushion covers.
But how do you sew a buttonhole? Many sewers use the buttonhole setting on their sewing machine to complete a professional-looking buttonhole. But it is also possible to sew a buttonhole by hand. This technique is ideal if you don't feel confident using a sewing machine, or want to improve your hand sewing skills.
Here we'll take you through how to sew a buttonhole by hand.
You will need
Button or buttons
Tailor's chalk or pencil
How to sew a buttonhole by hand
Step 1
Before you pick up your needle and thread, you need to place your button on your garment and use it to mark where you would it to go in tailor's chalk or with a pencil. Put a mark on either side of the button, so you know to stitch in the middle.
Step 2
Draw a line between your two marks and sew a backstitch around them in a rectangle using your needle and thread. Don't snip your thread, keep it attached to the needle.
Step 3
Using your scissors (I like to use embroidery scissors for as neat a cut as possible), cut along the line in the middle of your stitches.
Step 4
With your thread still attached, work a series of blanket stitches as close as you can to each other around the slit you've created. Ideally you want your stitches to be so close together they're touching each other. Continue this until all around the slit is covered in stitches. Fasten off and cut your thread.
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