For many sewers, the thought of adding buttonholes to a finished outfit is enough to send chills down their spine… it does for me. The thing is, it isn’t terribly difficult to make buttonholes, especially if your machine has a one-step buttonhole feature. The problem is more about placement. A slightly crooked or offset buttonhole can ruin the finished look of an otherwise masterfully sewn outfit… and it is nearly impossible to remove a buttonhole without damaging the fabric.
The key to beautiful buttonholes is to carefully mark all your placement lines so you can get them right the first time. Transferring markings directly onto fabric, however, isn’t always as easy as it seems… which is probably why we are tempted to take shortcuts we inevitably regret. Markings can be difficult see on dark or printed fabrics, and it can be difficult to remove markings from lighter fabrics. This is where the freezer paper comes in, the white paper is easy to write on and easy to see, and when you are finished, you just peel it off without a trace!
To begin, gather your project, freezer paper, buttonhole foot, pen, ruler, scissors, rotary cutter (optional), and an iron.
Step 1:
Measure the width of your buttonhole foot.
Step 2:
Cut a strip of freezer paper the same width as your buttonhole foot.
Step 3:
Draw a line down the center of the strip of freezer paper.
Step 4:
On a scrap piece of fabric, make a sample buttonhole that fits the buttons you will be using in your project.
Step 5:
Measure the length of your sample buttonhole.
Step 6:
Using the measurement of your sample buttonhole, determine the buttonhole placement on your project and transfer the placement marking to the center line on your strip of freezer paper. The top of the strip should line up with the top edge of your project. Don’t forget to figure in the seam allowance when determining the placement of the first buttonhole. For doll clothes, I like the top button to be 1/4-inch from the finished edge, so the marking for the top buttonhole should be 1/2-inch from the top of the freezer paper to allow for the 1/4-inch seam allowance.
Step 7:
Fold the freezer paper strip in half along the center line. Trim the excess length of the bottom, leaving about 3-inches to help center the template under the buttonhole foot.
Step 8:
Snip the ends of each buttonhole marking 1/8-inch in from the folded edge…
… then snip out the center of each buttonhole.
Your finished template will look like this.
Step 9:
With the plastic side down, position the freezer paper template on you project. The top edge of the template should match the top edge of the project. Use the center line of the freezer paper to help with the alignment. Press the freezer paper so that it adheres to your project.
If you are unsatisfied with the alignment, simply peel the freezer paper up, reposition it, and press it in place again.
Step 10:
Starting with the bottom buttonhole, position the template so that the needle lands at the bottom edge of the buttonhole opening. Adjust the template so that the side edges are aligned with your buttonhole foot and the center line runs down the center of the buttonhole foot. Stitch your buttonhole. Repeat this process for the rest of the buttonhole, working from the bottom up.
When you are finished, peel the freezer paper template from your project. If you are careful not to tear it, you can reuse this template several times.
Look, beautiful, straight, and even buttonholes! (…though, I wouldn’t suggest using white thread on read fabric)
While this tutorial demonstrates how to make a template for simple vertical buttonholes, the concept can also be used for horizontal and arbitrarily placed buttonholes as well. Instead of cutting a strip the same width as your buttonhole foot, cut a wider strip or template that will accommodate the buttonhole placement and draw guidelines on the freezer paper for your buttonhole foot.
Buttonhole template for the Civil War Shirt Bib.
Love the new pattern, and the buttonhole instructions look very helpful!
Thank you for this tutorial. Buttonholes and zippers are the two things that give me nightmares in sewing, especially for dolls, so tiny. I truly do appreciate any help I can find.
This looks like a great idea, will have to try
Making a template is an excellent idea, but I’m even more impressed by the idea of making the buttonholes before completing the garment. So much easier to do this with flat pieces than with a tiny shirt.
This is an amazing idea! Thanks for sharing it. I’m going to give it a try.
I asked for this and you delivered..Brilliantly!! Now if I can just get my housework and yardwork out of the way and get started!! My ancestors are from Ireland and my grandmother is pictured in a coat that looks almost like your recent pattern. I am sure she needed the long-johns for pioneer work in south Georgia. Can hardly wait!!
Brilliant buttonhole directions; I’m very grateful! I just put 3 buttonholes on a Wellie Wisher doll blouse and this would have saved me sooo much time/aggravation! LOVE freezer paper and print ALL my .pdf patterns onto it so no need for pins when cutting out my pieces. So handy to simply iron on and great for re-using again and again. Now I’ll always use it for a buttonhole pattern too and when done, it goes in the pattern sleeve for next time – I truly cannot thank you enough!!! Huge cyber hugs, Shari! 😉
Definitely will be using this method. I always have a hard time getting them evenly spaced. Thanks for the tutorial!
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful tutorial. I am looking forward to trying your freezer paper button holes.
I’ve been sewing for many years and never thought of doing this. Thank you! (You’re so right about the fear of ruining a finished garment with mis-aligned buttonholes!)
Ann Van Doren