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Member since 12/26/12
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Posted on: 5/13/17 4:29 PM ET
I am at the stage of the Jeans Contest now where I need to practice on buttonholes. Does anyone have any advice?

Here is my plan: using 20 ounce denim, waistband is not interfaced, waistband has two fashion fabric layers except button and buttonhole interfacing, same color thread as edgestitching and topstitching, and one end of buttonhole rounded. Thanks in advance.
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Bernina 535 , Artista 200E, Bernina 500, Bernina 740, BL Sashiko, Bernina 950, Bernina L890
  
Member since 3/24/04
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Posted on: 5/13/17 5:48 PM ET
In reply to Candy2
Test, test and test beforehand. If you have a buttonhole foot with a stabilizer plate, use it. otherwise you may need additional stabilizer (my favorite is Sulky's Fabri-solvy, self-stick, water soluble, fairly heavy). Use a new needle when you're ready to do the real buttonhole.
  
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Posted on: 5/13/17 6:03 PM ET
I always interface the buttonhole area.
Consider the position of the buttonhole.
I prefer to use 2 strands of regular thread through a top stitching/jeans needle than using jeans thread.

And, you know your machine, but with mine the biggest issue I have is everything feeding through once it's all sewn. That area can get a little bulky.
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Janome Skyline S3 | Singer Quantum Stylist 9985 | Singer Stylist 7258 | Kenmore 1503
Baby Lock Celebrate | Brother 2340CV
My Big 4 Sizing: Medium | Tops 14 | Pants 16 | Skirts 16
My Measurements: 36 HB | 38.5 FB | 33 UB | 32 W | 43 Hip

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Member since 6/4/07
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Posted on: 5/17/17 0:48 AM ET
My general-purpose buttonhole tip is to stitch the buttonhole twice to get the satin stitch look, rather than using a short/dense stitch, or bulkier thread, or multiple threads.
  
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Posted on: 5/23/17 6:12 AM ET
In reply to Candy2
Don't know if you've got your buttonhole worked yet but want to throw my $.02 worth into the conversation...

I've made many, many pairs of jeans over the years & getting that one waistband buttonhole accomplished AND having it look presentable is sometimes a real challenge. I sew on two Berninas that make beautiful buttonholes usually; however, when sewing jeans I have discovered that by the time I test & test...& test! only to have the real buttonhole look a hot mess I might as well either make a hand-sewn buttonhole or use my embroidery machine if needing several buttonholes (such as on a denim jacket). I have tried Bernina's fabric-feeding aid (formerly called compensation plates) and height levelers. There is a new accessory called the buttonhole leveler that I do not own but think I will stick to either hand-sewn or embroidered buttonholes.

Also, another thing I do is sew a regular button on the waistband and wear the jeans before committing to the jeans button. More than once I have been less than happy with the placement. I'm sure others can relate.

I hope you have already made a beautiful buttonhole, but if not, I hope my experiences will perhaps provide alternatives for future jeans!

HTH,
Gail

  
Member since 3/27/10
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Posted on: 5/23/17 8:28 AM ET
Another one here who has discovered hand-sewn buttonholes are somehow quicker and easier. It started late last summer when I could not find a single buttonhole foot (I hate moving - takes YEARS to find everything!) so I had no choice really but to do up the buttonhole by hand. As always, YMMV.
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I don't really make mistakes ... I create "learning opportunities"! Murphy says: The better you match the thread to the fabric, the more likely you will need to rip some stitches out! I spend more quality time with my seamripper than I like ...
Yes, I DO love fabric!!
Happy owner of a band of Brothers: LX-3125, CS-770, CE5500 PRW, a PE-770 emb ... and now Kenmore 158.18032 and 148.12190
Blogging my "learning opportunites" at http://sewingmissadventure.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 12/15/12
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Posted on: 5/23/17 10:55 AM ET
See if this video is helpful.
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People never care how much you know until they know how much you care.
  
Member since 1/7/06
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Posted on: 5/25/17 2:10 PM ET
I too have had great difficulty getting my machine to sew a presentable jeans buttonhole due to the bulk in that area. I too have resorted to making the jeans buttonholes by hand.
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Blog: www.sewmuchfashion.com
  
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Posted on: 5/25/17 3:09 PM ET
In reply to kevinsews
Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing that one!
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Liz
  
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