Creating Feathers with Buttonhole Stitch: The Movie

The Wool and the Floss has posted a video tutorial on how to use buttonhole stitch for turkey feathers.  Here it is on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1138795315082441&set=gm.25008479295469226&idorvanity=108537025890131

It's actually quite easy.  Note that you will use a pretty fat thread but it won't completely cover the canvas.  If this bothers you, tent stitch the feathers with 1-2 plies of cotton floss first, then add the buttonhole stitch with your fatter thread on top.  If you go this route, use a slightly larger needle than usual for the button hole stitches.  Here's the video on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ5M_Q8kdOv/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 11, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Tool for Perfect Buttonhole Stitches

I'd never heard of an Edge Stitch Lock & Sewing Gauge, but it appears to be a useful tool for creating perfectly spaced buttonhole stitches.  You can get a 3mm or a 4mm spacer.

https://littlestplanet.com/products/sewing-tools?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=Facebook_Desktop_Feed&utm_campaign=120227100092240245&utm_term=120227100092230245&utm_content=120227100092270245&utm_id=120227100092240245&fbclid=IwY2xjawLPV3tleHRuA2FlbQEwAGFkaWQBqyHpGyGMxWJyaWQRMHBCeTZKOTN0NmoxbEZmWHgBHqkihCqMisHyyC8G04yto65MmtY8W9dm_wH0zfM4ZoS_Wg5fK0XcQrjoikny_aem_lFN4hXSSeU3Daf9HclsXGA

This appears to be widely available, so shop around for the best price.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 30, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Buttonhole and Detached Buttonhole: The Movie

Patricia Sone has posted a Facebook video demonstrating buttonhole and detached buttonhole stitch.  These stitches are using on one of her Blue and White Nativity pieces.  These are very useful for a frill or raised edge.

https://www.facebook.com/patricia.sone.98/videos/3480055118886825

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 11, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Blanket Versus Buttonhole

Thanks to Anna Scott, I found this article about the different between the buttonhole and blanket stitch on Nordic Needle's website.  

Sorry, but Nordic Needle's website seems to be down.  Perhaps permanently?  Anyway, the article is gone but I did find this.
https://togs-from-bogs.blogspot.com/2009/10/blanket-stitch-vs-buttonhole-stitch.html

And this.
https://stitchfloral.blogspot.com/2017/06/buttonhole-stitch-lesson-1-basics.html

To me it sounds like what I've always called the buttonhole stitch is actually a blanket stitch.  Mary Corbett helps define the two, and now I can keep calling what I do the buttonhole stitch!
https://www.needlenthread.com/2017/10/buttonhole-stitch-vs-blanket-stitch-the-name-debate.html

I mention this here not to confuse you, but to point out that one stitch can have many different names.  What really matters to me is that I understand the stitch's construction to create it properly and use it to the best effect in a thread that will show it off properly.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 10, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Clever Tip for Buttonhole Stitch

Sandy Arthur's latest class update has a bonus—a new and easier way to start buttonhole stitch!  I am definitely going to try this as it looks like it will make for a beautiful starting edge to a row of buttonhole stitches.  Thanks, Sandy.  And congratulations on your great-granddaughter's making it into Needle Pointers!  She's darling!
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2017/08/time-out-is-this-great-grandmas-buttons.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 5, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tip for Perfect Buttonhole Stitches in a Curved Area

If you have ever struggled to fit buttonhole stitches into a perfect curve, you need to read this. 
http://www.theunbrokenthread.com/blog/2015/05/30/loveday-crewelwork-little-brown-sparrow/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 30, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.