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Buttonhole options for coats Or anytime the buttonhole foot won't work
meleliza   Intermediate PA Member since 5/4/11 Posts: 490	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/13/12 9:46 AM So I know from experience that my buttonhole foot doesn't work when the is any bulky near by. Many tears were shed over an unlined jacket in cotton twill! I am finishing a winter coat for baby girl in cotton velvet that is especially slippery and ravels apart almost faster than I can sew it. It is interlined with cotton flannel, so when I get to buttonholes, it will have two layers of velvet and the flannel. This coat has been a lot of work and I don't even want to attempt the buttonhole foot for fear of destroying the entire thing. I've thought about stitching buttonholes by hand, which I think could be lovely, but this fabric frays so fiercely I'm afraid hand stitching won't be secure enough. I've also considered using hidden sew in snaps or making manual buttonholes with the machine and a regular or walking foot. I like the idea of buttons on the front and I think that would be easiest for a 2-3 year old as well. I want to finish this quickly as its getting really cold out! But I also want it to be nice as well as functional. Any thoughts are appreciated! ------ Melanie
JEF   Intermediate VA USA Member since 7/27/05 Posts: 2438 Board Moderator	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 10/13/12 9:49 AM What about big hooks and eyes? Or frog closures? I don't know too much about a 2-3 year old's dexterity. Could a child handle that? JEF ------ "The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they are genuine." --Abraham Lincoln
Wino Intermediate PA USA Member since 9/24/06 Posts: 358	Login to reply to this post 3 members like this. Date: 10/13/12 10:46 AM How about bound button holes? They always look classic on a coat. The old fashioned button holers used on straight stitch machines, such as vintage Singers are also a good ------ wino
PattyE   Intermediate MI Member since 9/7/10 Posts: 647	Login to reply to this post 3 members like this. Date: 10/13/12 10:52 AM What about using big snaps? You could sew buttons on the front to make it look like it's fastened with buttons.
meleliza   Intermediate PA Member since 5/4/11 Posts: 490	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/13/12 12:26 PM All good suggestions, thanks! Bound buttonholes are lovely, but I've never actually done them and they look like a ton of work. I want to try them on a coat for me maybe, but not right now. I'm leaning towards snaps or hand sewn buttonholes. ------ Melanie
beauturbo Advanced CA USA Member since 5/2/09 Posts: 1426	Login to reply to this post In reply to meleliza << Like this post Date: 10/13/12 1:19 PM Normally I might think of sew on toggle closures (most often maybe a piece of leather with a loop and a wooden toggle) or maybe more a wrapped frog closure with a ball on it, but since it's for a baby, and they are known to try to put stuff in their mouths, I don't think you want to use anything that could come off or could be pulled off of it, that could end up in their mouth. A lot of coats might have a covered with matching lining really large snap on it, but I think even that would have sewn in pretty good and checked often, to make sure it stayed secure too, also I think it would show, if coat was worn more open. I think even matching short velvet, ribbon or of the lining ties on it would be O.K. and perfectly fine though, as long as the actual ties were really long enough to tie into a bow, but short enough they could not get wrapped around a baby in a not good way.
meleliza   Intermediate PA Member since 5/4/11 Posts: 490	Login to reply to this post In reply to beauturbo << Like this post Date: 10/14/12 9:08 AM Very good points. She's getting past the age of putting everything in her mouth, but not quite. She's not so much an actual baby as my baby - the youngest. Shell be 2 in two weeks. Still, you're right. And using ribbons or velvet ties is an excellent suggestion. That could save me a lot of time too and I. Getting anxious to have his blasted thing finished. ------ Melanie
Marcia R   Expert/Couture CA USA Member since 4/16/09 Posts: 27	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 10/14/12 1:49 PM You might want to ask a local cleaners if they do buttonholes. Those that advertise tailoring or alterations may have the designated buttonhole machine necessary to sew buttonholes is extra thick layers.
Nancy K Advanced NY USA Member since 12/28/04 Posts: 7578	Login to reply to this post In reply to meleliza << Like this post Date: 10/14/12 4:39 PM Large snaps under or without buttons is done in rtw so no reason you can't do it. I like a bound buttonhole in heavy fabrics. It can be done with self fabric or contrast. Even on a childs coat, though they have to be done before you sew the facings on. It's not common on male clothing though. ------ www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
heathergwo Advanced Beginner CA USA Member since 11/14/11 Posts: 766	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/15/12 11:48 AM I second or third the idea for large snaps and just hand sew buttons on the outside so it looks like it has buttons, but it really doesn't. I think that would be easiest for a toddler and for you! ------ Brother Innovis 1250D Singer Curvy 8763 Brother 1034D Janome 385.19606 Brother 2340CV

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