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From: debsews
Date: 10-05-2005, 10:16 AM (1 of 16)
| Okay it's question time again. I'm making pj's for the grandchildren and I've never really given this much thought but today I looked at the buttonhole guide that came with the pattern. Why are they sometimes vertical and other time horizontal. Is one better than the other on flannel for kids. I've probably done them both ways but never really thought it out as to what's better or why they're different. Any takers? It's just one of those questions that pop up sometimes in my mind! |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 10-05-2005, 12:51 PM (2 of 16)
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From back in my days in 4-H we were taught to put a buttonhole in the direction of the source of strain, ie at the waist use a horizontal buttonhole, a lot of RTW has vertical buttonhole b/c they are easier to sew quickly and you don't have to worry about shims etc to keep your foot level, most couture stuff (I'm reading Couture Sewing Techniques by Claire Schaeffer at the moment) has horizontal buttonholes, as most garment strain is crossways/horzontal pull, not in a vertical pull. Many shirts have a horizontal buttonhole at the collar and vertical buttonholes down the placket. Having the button holes vertical also means you can make a narrower placket if you so desire. On kiddie pjs however, make them however you desire, the kids won't care, just use flat buttons! 
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 10-05-2005, 05:04 PM (3 of 16)
Just remember NOT to put a vertical buttonhole iin the blouse or shirt of a busty girl or woman..Put strain on it (vertical buttonhole), and it will pop right open.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Catalina
Date: 10-05-2005, 05:40 PM (4 of 16)
| I always do vertical buttonholes- for the last 25 years!! |
User: Catalina
Member since: 01-06-2005 Total posts: 119 |
From: MariLynnTX
Date: 10-05-2005, 06:06 PM (5 of 16)
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I've been sewing for 55 years and have used both vertical and horizontal. I prefer horizontal because I have a large bust, always have had, and horizontal holes can take the stress better. I hate a blouse where I have to use a safety pin underneath to keep it closed. I like bound buttonholes, too, but remember they should be cut with the piece used for binding on the STRAIGHT grain ofthe fabric, NOT on the bias. Nothing is tackier than a stretched bound buttonhole! Same for slash pockets. I can't believe it's so near Christmas and I haven't got all my boxes unpacked yet! And I am going to have to stop unpacking and finish the quilt squares for Lisa's quilt that I started before hospitals and operations and moving! I hope I make it till Christmas! coffee2: MariLynntx
Life is a song...we give it harmony or dissonance.
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User: MariLynnTX
Member since: 08-13-2001 Total posts: 256 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-05-2005, 08:43 PM (6 of 16)
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I love the look of vertical button holes but they don't stay buttoned on the active or the "more endowed" woman. Horizontal always stay buttoned longer. If there is no stress on the button though, vertical will always get my vote for best looking. I too was taught that the button hole at the waist, neck and cuffs should always be horizontal for extra stress regardless of the direction of the other buttons.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 10-06-2005, 08:38 AM (7 of 16)
Vertical buttonholes are fine for me on a blouse b/c I have no bust!! 
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838
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From: debsews
Date: 10-06-2005, 10:00 AM (8 of 16)
| It was just one of those questions that come up and you all have answered it perfectly. I just couldn't figure out why some patterns for kids are vertical and others are horizontal. Now I know it doesn't make any difference so I'll do the vertical. It's easier! |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: Jo-Anne46
Date: 10-07-2005, 07:33 AM (9 of 16)
I like the horizontal buttons myself.. Less wear and tear.. Especially when children have a habit of pulling on each others clothes... I also like to get the fusible cotton to put in between the front button band and facing and my buttonholes always come out perfect.. No stretch to them. 
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User: Jo-Anne46
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 28 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 10-07-2005, 08:21 AM (10 of 16)
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I like vertical on blouses and shirts. I read somewhere the rule is vertical on blouses and shirts and horizontal on coats and jackets, collars and cuffs. But rules are made to be broken. I have a bust --big enough but not top heavy I guess -- but I wear loose tops so strain is not a problem. It was when I was younger because I wore tighter tops. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 10-07-2005, 10:32 AM (11 of 16)
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I put horizontal on jackets, cuffs and neckband. Usually the rest are vertical.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: LadySloPokes
Date: 10-12-2005, 02:31 PM (12 of 16)
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I just recently finished making a shirt for my other half, and we noticed that on some of his RTW shirts the button holes were vertical. However, the pattern called for them to be horizontal. I used 100% cotton fabric, and there was an interfacing on the inside. Could I have used the vertical button holes on it? I want to make him another shirt for Christmas, and he says he likes the vertical holes better. Do you think it will work okay? The patter in question is McCalls #4518, Retro Shirt, short sleeve view.
Cookie
LadySlo...yes am I, but hey, I'm gettin' there! Are you sure it's supposed to look like this?! Proud owner of Singer Quantum Decor 7322 & Singer Quantum Futura CE 200.. "A balanced diet is having chocolate in both hands!" |
User: LadySloPokes
Member since: 08-15-2005 Total posts: 198 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 10-12-2005, 02:52 PM (13 of 16)
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I'd have done the vertical in the first place. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-12-2005, 05:48 PM (14 of 16)
|
Most men's shirts are vertical, except at the neck where there is a neckband and at the cuffs where there is pull.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Reba Hewitt
Date: 10-17-2005, 10:12 AM (15 of 16)
| I have been sewing for 42 years and I like verticle button holes the best. I sometimes do the horzonital but it has to be a 'special' case. I also think the size of the button has something to do with the direction of the buttonhole. If I have a big button I do not want it to hang over the edge. |
User: Reba Hewitt
Member since: 10-10-2005 Total posts: 14 |
From: fronno
Date: 10-18-2005, 06:28 AM (16 of 16)
|
I just recently finished making a shirt for my other half, and we noticed that on some of his RTW shirts the button holes were vertical. However, the pattern called for them to be horizontal. I used 100% cotton fabric, and there was an interfacing on the inside. Could I have used the vertical button holes on it? Yes you can, but use a stabilizer, for to get them all in one tidy row, use a ruler for to mark where they have to come, mark the beginning of them with a pin. And do them all in a row. Succes With kind regards,
François |
User: fronno
Member since: 04-26-2004 Total posts: 79 
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