• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
TREASURIE
  • FREE PATTERNS
  • Sewing
    • Techniques
    • How to Sew
    • Embroidery
    • Quilting
    • Face Mask
    • Fashion Types
    • Fabric Care
    • Fabric Types
    • Sewing Tools
  • Crochet
  • Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Tie Dye
    • Paper Crafts
    • Paper Mache
    • Cricut
    • Christmas
  • SHOP
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Pattern Shop
  • Sewing
  • Sewing Projects
  • Crochet
  • Knitting
  • Crafts
×

Home » Sewing » Embroidery

Buttonhole Stitch | Embroidery Tutorial

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print

Buttonhole stitch has been handed down from the days of tailors and dressmakers dependent on their own skills to complete garments. Nowadays, it has become a piece of decorative embroidery used for ‘cut work’ like Hardanger and for edging in some embroidery designs. It can also create lovely flower wheels like those pictured below.

Buttonhole Stitch
Buttonhole Stitch

Contents

  • Buttonhole Stitch Tutorial
    • Supplies
    • Buttonhole Stitch vs Blanket Stitch
  • How to Do Buttonhole Stitch for Hand Embroidery
    • Step 1 - Mark Guides & Enter
    • Step 2 - First Stitch
    • Step 3 - Purl
    • Step 4 - Next Stitch
    • Step 5 - Repeat the Buttonhole Stitching
  • Buttonhole Stitch Flowers & Variations
    • Step 1 - Mark Circles
    • Step 2 - First Stitch
    • Step 3 - Purl
    • Step 4 - Repeat
  • Buttonhole Stitch by Hand for Buttonholes
  • Buttonhole Stitch - In Conclusion
  • Buttonhole Stitch
    • Tools
    • Materials
    • Instructions
  • More Embroidery Articles

Buttonhole Stitch Tutorial

Buttonhole stitch has a knot created at the end of each stitch, known as ‘purling’. It has a very firm edge and is perfect for fabric embroidery and stitching around the shapes in applique to prevent fraying.

Supplies

Whether you need a hoop to do a buttonhole stitch depends on your purpose. If you are sewing buttonholes or using them as edging, then you would normally sew it freehand. For embroidery and buttonhole stitch flowers, a hoop will hold the fabric tight and prevent any puckering.

Buttonhole stitch embroidery is traditionally done with embroidery floss and an embroidery needle.

To read more about the basic supplies and stitches, read how to embroider.

Buttonhole Stitch vs Blanket Stitch

Buttonhole stitch and blanket stitch are often confused because they are similar but not the same.

The easiest way to differentiate between buttonhole and blanket stitch is the entrance and exit points of the needle.  If the needle exits at the edge of the fabric you are creating a blanket stitch. 

Blanket Stitch vs Buttonhole Stitch
Blanket Stitch vs Buttonhole Stitch

When the needle goes in towards the center of the fabric then you are creating a buttonhole stitch and should see the knot or purl stitch on the edge of the stitch line.

Buttonhole Stitch
Buttonhole Stitch

How to Do Buttonhole Stitch for Hand Embroidery

Step 1 - Mark Guides & Enter

Draw 2 lines along which to sew your stitch. Once you have practiced a few times you will probably not need these lines.

Bring the thread to the top of the fabric on the bottom right at (1).

Buttonhole Stitch Step 1
Buttonhole Stitch Step 1

Step 2 - First Stitch

Insert the needle along the same line as (1) at (2) and exit the needle straight up on the second line at (3).

Make a loop with the thread passing under the needle both at points (3) and (2). This is the important part that differentiates buttonhole stitch from blanket stitch.

buttonhole stitch step 2
Buttonhole Stitch Step 2

Step 3 - Purl

Pull the needle through and pull the thread down to form the purl. If you pull the thread up you get a strange double loop.

Remember: PULL DOWN

buttonhole stitch step 2
Buttonhole Stitch Step 3

Step 4 - Next Stitch

Move the needle across to (4) and exit at (5). Once again, loop the thread under the needle at both points (4) and (5).

buttonhole stitch step 4
Buttonhole Stitch Step 4

Step 5 - Repeat the Buttonhole Stitching

Continue to repeat the stitch and you will see the reinforced edge appearing.

Buttonhole Stitch Step 5
Buttonhole Stitch Step 5

Buttonhole Stitch Flowers & Variations

You can use this stitch to make lovely round wheels.

Step 1 - Mark Circles

Draw 2 circles like a donut.  Bring the thread to the top on the edge of the outside ring at (1).

Buttonhole Stitch Flowers Step 1
Buttonhole Stitch Flowers Step 1

Step 2 - First Stitch

Insert the needle at (2) which is a short distance across from (1) and exit the needle horizontally on the edge of the smaller inner circle.

Loop the thread underneath the needle at the tip and back.

Buttonhole Stitch Flowers Step 2
Buttonhole Stitch Flowers Step 2

Step 3 - Purl

Pull the needle through and then pull the thread down to form the purl.

Buttonhole Stitch Flowers Step 3
Buttonhole Stitching Flowers Step 3

Step 4 - Repeat

Repeat in a circle.

Buttonhole Stitch Flowers Close Up
Buttonhole Stitch Flowers Close Up

Buttonhole Stitch by Hand for Buttonholes

Buttonhole stitch can be used on the edge of a slit on hand-sewn buttonholes. Read my article on how to hand sew a buttonhole for more photos and instructions.

Buttonhole Stitch - In Conclusion

Buttonhole stitch is a winner for a decorative stitch and a professional look as an edging stitch in embroidery and applique.

Buttonhole Stitch

Buttonhole Stitch

Learn how to do button hole stitch with this easy step by step tutorial for beginners.
4.5/5 - (46 votes)
Print Pin
Difficulty: Easy Beginner
Keyword: Embroidery and Hand Sewing
Total Time: 2 minutes

Tools

  • Embroidery Needle
  • Scissors

Materials

  • Fabric
  • Embroidery Floss

Instructions

  • Draw 2 parallel lines. Bring the needle up at (1) on the bottom right line.
    buttonhole stitch step 1
  • Insert the needle at (2) and exit the needle on the second line at (3). The point (3) is directly above point (2
    buttonhole stitch step 2
  • Pull the needle through and pull the thread down. Don't pull upwards.
    buttonhole stitch step 2
  • Move the needle to (4) and exit at (5). Loop the thread under the needle at both points.
    buttonhole stitch step 3
  • Repeat.
    buttonhole stitch

More Embroidery Articles

  1. Backstitch
  2. Blanket Stitch
  3. Buttonhole Stitch
  4. Chain Stitch
  5. Chevron Stitch
  6. Couching Stitch
  7. Cross Stitch
  8. Double Herringbone Stitch
  9. How to Embroider
  10. Faggoting Embroidery
  11. Feather Stitch
  12. Fern Stitch
  13. Fishbone Stitch
  14. Fly Stitch
  15. French Knots
  16. Hand Embroidery Stitches
  17. Herringbone Stitch
  18. Lazy Daisy
  19. Running Stitch
  20. Sashiko Embroidery
  21. Satin Stitch
  22. Seed Stitch Embroidery (Rice Stitch)
  23. Stem Stitch
  24. Straight Stitch
  25. Web Stitch | Embroidery Tutorial
  26. Whip Stitch
4.5/5 - (46 votes)

More Embroidery

  • SMOCKING - How to Do Smocking (Easy Patterns)
  • Types of Stitches - 35 Best Stitches for Sewing
  • What is Embroidery & What to Do with Embroidery
  • Long and Short Stitch (Brick Stitch) - Easy Tutorial

Bestselling Sewing Patterns

  • Girls Dress Pattern
  • Dress Pattern
  • Bodysuit Pattern
  • Skirt Pattern
  • Bloomers Pattern
  • Hat Pattern
  • Girls Dress Pattern
  • Dress Pattern
  • Bodysuit Pattern
  • Skirt Pattern
  • Bloomers Pattern
  • Hat Pattern

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Pattern Shop

Newsletter

loader

Popular

  • Face Mask Pattern 
  • How to Make Cushion Covers 
  • Burp Cloth Pattern – 3 Styles
  • How to Make a Scrunchie {2 sizes}
  • How to Make a Pillowcase
  • 6 Best Seam Finishes for Fabric
  • How to Gather
  • How to Make Curtains
  • How to Make a Quilt
  • How to Tie Dye
  • Sewing Machine Brands
  • How to Make a Scrunchie
  • How to Sew a Rip
  • How to Make Tassels
  • Types of Skirts
  • Sewing Projects for Beginners
  • Fabric Names

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy/Copyright
  • Sewing Pattern Shop
  • Printing Help
  • Disclaimers/Affiliate/Advertising
  • Site Map

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Popular

  • How to Sew
  • How to Embroider
  • How to Crochet
  • Fashion Styles
  • How to Macrame
  • How to Knit
  • How to Tie Dye

Copyright © 2022 Treasurie. All rights reserved.