Make a Dress from a Button-Down Shirt

Step 5 Buttonholes and Buttons

First we'll cut the buttonholes, and then add buttons. The buttonholes don't have to be placed all that precisely. Just try to get them in a straight line along the edge of the sleeve that will be on top. Once again, make it overlaps enough with the bottom sleeve to fit buttons.

Pick out some buttons - you'll probably want 4 or 5. Lay them out along the edge of the sleeve, and draw little lines marking the positions and sizes of the buttonholes. Then cut slits along the lines, long enough that you can squeeze the button through.

I hear there's an easy way to sew buttonholes with a sewing machine, but sadly I do not have one, so I'll be doing it by hand. If you're going to do it by hand too, take a few feet of thread, double it over, and start stitching around the edge of the hole. It doesn't have to look pretty (it will be covered by the button) but it should be durable. Try to cover the entire edge with thread, and not leave tufts of fabric sticking out. Take extra care at the ends of the slits, so they don't start ripping farther.

Once the buttonholes are done, it's time to mark where the buttons should be. Have the person put on the dress, and pull the sleeves behind their back. You don't want the dress falling down, so you should pull the sleeves until it's tight but not uncomfortable. If you can't breathe, it's too tight.

Use a pen to draw a mark through each buttonhole, so you know where to attach the button underneath. Take off the dress, and sew the buttons downs at those marks.

Comments

[make-happy mama]

What a great idea for marking button placement. I've never thought of doing it that way before. Silly me--I always put the buttons on first and then try to place my holes to match.