Cutting Open the Buttonholes

Learn how to cut open and permanently secure hand-worked buttonholes. This lesson covers basting the fabric layers, using a hollow punch and chisel to create clean teardrop-shaped openings, trimming and treating fray-prone fabrics, and overcasting the raw edges with waxed thread. You’ll also see how these techniques apply to in-seam buttonholes and how a professional buttonhole cutter can speed up the process.