I was inspired by Phyllis C's muslin button tip to share this up. When making a blouse, or other garment that has buttons on it, you can completely change the look by making changeable button strips.
To do this, forego sewing buttons on your garment, and instead put a set of buttonholes on the "button" side, spaced to correspond with the "regular buttonholes". I recommend making these buttonholes vertical, and making them slightly larger than your standard buttonholes so you can align the bottoms of the garment.
Next, sew your buttons onto a grosgrain ribbon. Insert the buttons through both the "button" and "regular buttonhole" layers of the garment. You can then change button style on a whim, creating a whole new look for a garment!
HTH!
Ann |
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Thanks for the cool tip Ann!
5/10/05 8:00 AM
I find that quite interesting, thanks.
5/10/05 12:00 PM
What a great idea!
5/10/05 3:29 PM
Thanks for the grosgrain idea. Since you have buttonholes on both sides, you could also "switch the sex" of the garment by reversing the buttons. I did this on a toddler sweater.
5/11/05 7:27 AM
I really like this idea. It would work real well on some of the more casual type shirts such as a denim style. Dress it up or down with buttons. Thanks for this great tip.
5/11/05 10:56 AM
Good recycled tip. Yes, recycled. I learned this in junior high school in Rhode Island. But nice to see it's still used and it is very useful.
5/13/05 2:07 PM
Interesting idea. Do you make the regular buttonholes horizontal and the button buttonholes (so to speak) vertical?
5/16/05 7:12 PM
Anne, buttonhole direction depends on where they are being used. For a set on placket or band generally the button hole is up and down. For a non-defined closure, like a jacket or blouse with a facing, buttonholes go across. Horizontal button holes have more give and are less likely to gape. Those of us who have 'important' chests can end up with gaposis when the buttonholes are vertical.
5/16/05 11:12 PM
This would be especially helpful for tween to teen daughter's clothes ("but they've SEEN me in this already"). :) Thanks for sharing this tip!
5/16/05 11:14 PM
This is a really neat idea!! I have never heard this one although someone commented it is a recycled idea. Thanks for taking the time for mentioning it.
5/17/05 10:44 AM
Ok, so why do you recommend making these buttonholes vertical? (From a chest perspective, I can certain get away with either direction! )
5/17/05 11:50 AM
Anne, I recommend making the "button side" buttonholes vertical because then if you are slightly off, the vertical buttonhole (behind the horizontal buttonhole on the "regular buttonhole side") will be more forgiving, allowing the button to slide around slightly. Does that make sense? -Ann
5/17/05 2:58 PM
What a great idea! And it's just giving me one more reason to covet a sewing machine that likes to make button holes. Right now snaps are my friend ... but someday I'll try out this tip! Thanks for posting it.
5/17/05 5:46 PM
Thanks for sharing this, Anne. This is *much* easier than the way I've been doing it - with button pins. I can see loads of possibilities for a Little Black Dress or basic suit.
5/17/05 7:05 PM
The use of a changeable button strip is also a great way to use your fragile/precious buttons which can not be washed or dry cleaned. So much quicker than removing the buttons and sew them back on again
5/23/05 8:11 AM
Wow, great idea, Anne! I had never thought or heard of this. Now I have a solution when I can't decide *which* great buttons to use! Thans for posting :o)
5/23/05 9:56 AM
Neat! I never heard of that before. Sparks the creativity, you know?
5/25/05 2:24 PM