Basic Info How to sew the back with buttons and buttonholes, by Tailor nour on YouTube. 8 min 37 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 37 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Mark the buttonhole positions on the back placket with chalk. Space them evenly, about 5 to 7 cm apart, and keep them centred on the placket.
Pin a scrap of the same fabric over the marked area and sew a test buttonhole. Check the stitch density and adjust the length to fit your buttons.
Fit the buttonhole foot to the machine and lower the needle onto the start mark. Sew each buttonhole slowly, following the foot's guide.
Open each buttonhole with a seam ripper or small sharp scissors. Cut from the centre outward and place a pin across the end to stop cutting too far.
Lay the buttoned placket over the back piece and mark the button centres through the finished buttonholes.
Hand sew each button at the marks with doubled thread. Bring the needle up through one hole, down the other, and repeat four or five times.
Make a small shank by winding the thread around the stitches under the button two or three times, then knot and trim.
Press the placket flat with a warm iron and check that every button lines up with its buttonhole.
Tips and common mistakes
Always sew a test buttonhole on scrap fabric first, since stitch settings vary between machines.
Place a pin across the end of the buttonhole before cutting so the seam ripper cannot slip through.
Use a shank under thicker buttons so the fabric does not pucker when buttoned.
Questions
How far apart should the buttons be on the back?
About 5 to 7 cm apart is common for a shirt back. Mark them evenly from the top and bottom so the placket lies flat.
What if my machine has no buttonhole foot?
You can sew a narrow zigzag rectangle by hand or with a standard foot and open it the same way. A buttonhole foot makes the size and spacing much more consistent.
Can I sew the buttons on by machine?
Yes, if your machine has a button-sewing setting. Drop the feed dogs, set a wide zigzag and stitch a few times through the holes, then tie off the threads.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
