I Was Trying To Sew A Button On A Shirt This Morning.

[sandyRoe]

Isn't it surprising how much more difficult it is to do in practise than in theory?

[Khandro]

My mother taught me how to sew a button on thick material(all her side of the family were in tailoring). You place a matchstick between the button and the cloth, stitch back and forth around it, when you have done sufficient passes you pull out the matchstick and wind the cotton several times between the button and the cloth and lock the thread. You now have a gap between the button and the garment.
I love sewing!

[naomi24]

I hate sewing - don't do it - but someone once gave me a very good tip. Don't try to thread the cotton through the eye of the needle - hold the cotton still and put the eye of the needle over it. Sounds odd, but it works.

[vakayu]

Lol khandro don't please confuse matters,by the sound of things sandyRoe is having enough problems. Sandy just ask the maid or housekeeper to help!

[Robinia]

When my sons were young I gave them both a strip of fabric and an assortment of different style buttons and instructions how to sew them on. I've still got one of them in my button tin. My youngest son made a great pair of lined curtains for their last house...his fiancee's very happy he's so well trained :)

[Svejk]

Haven't got any matches, khandro. Will a lighter do?

[Khandro]

I don't wish to sound boastful (well just a little) but recently one of my favourite irreplaceable American shirts (by Eddie Bauer) was worn at the collar, I unpicked it, reversed it and sewed it back in, all by hand and it looks perfect - beat that guys!

[Robinia]

Very impressive Khandro :)

[pusskin]

Difficult? haha I do it with my eyes shut! lol I love sewing when in the mood.

[tamborine]

Chris, 16. Bribe any woman with a chocolate bar.

[beegeebee]

You've surprised me, I had always thought you had been in HM Forces and therefore very knowledgeable about caring and using your housewife. (or was that only in the R.A.F.)?

[sandyRoe]

While I was in uniform my housewife was rarely out of my hands. But that was a long time ago and the fingers aren't as agile as they once were.

[Mamyalynne]

For those (like me) who struggle to see the eye of the needle, get some self threading ones, a big help.


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[Mosaic]

using buttonhole thread will be easier next time. It's slightly thicker and less prone to tangle.