Oct 19

How to sew a corded buttonhole

You may have heard a term 'corded buttonhole' - as mysterious as this type of buttonhole sounds, it's surprisingly easy to sew! Not only does this buttonhole will give your garments a more professional touch, but it also has a few extra benefits that makes it worth trying out!

Here are main benefits of why it's worth sewing a corded buttonhole:

More textured, 3D buttonhole effect for a more elevated garment look;
More durable and long lasting, making it a great choice for thicker fabrics and projects like coats or jackets;
Protects buttonhole from stretching out - great when sewing knitwear!

Not only does this type of buttonhole has great benefits, but it's also incredibly easy to sew - all you need is a cord and a couple quick extra steps when sewing a buttonhole! Let's see how to sew a corded buttonhole in just 5 easy steps.

This tutorial is created in partnership with Brother. The buttonhole sample is stitched out using Brother Stellaire 2 sewing and embroidery machine. Want to learn more about this machine? Here is my in-depth review after 1 year using Brother Stellaire 2:

Now onto the tutorial:

How To Sew A Corded Buttonhole

STEP 1. Take need a buttonhole presser foot that's suitable for your sewing machine.

Set a size of a buttonhole by moving lever at the side of the presser foot. Place the button at the top slot and tighten it by pulling the lever down - this will set the perfect buttonhole size for your exact button.

Brother Stellaire 2 buttonhole presser foot with button

STEP 2. Take thicker thread or cord, wrap it around hook at the top of the presser foot and bring thread all the way down. Tie a temporary knot at the bottom, so that the thread stays in place.

Tip: the thicker the thread or cord, the more expressed and elevated buttonhole you'll get. However, before stitching with very thick threads, make sure they wrap securely around the presser foot and bar tack stitches at the buttonhole sides are wide enough to fully cover the thread!

Carefully install presser foot to the machine.

Installed thick thread for cording (bottom presser foot view)

Installed thick thread for cording (top presser foot view)

STEP 3. On the wrong side of the fabric, apply interfacing where the buttonhole will be sewn - this will protect fabric from stretching out.

Place fabric under presser foot, with right side facing upwards. Lower the presser foot and lower the lever next to the needle bar - the lever will indicate to the machine the size of the buttonhole that needs to be stitched out.

Fabric and presser foot are prepared for stitching out corded buttonhole

STEP 4. Select on of the buttonhole stitches available on your sewing machine. In this example, I'm using 1-step Narrow squared buttonhole stitch.

Buttonhole stitches available on Brother Stellaire 2 sewing and embroidery machine

STEP 5. Stitch out the buttonhole. After the buttonhole is stitched out, pull the cording thread and trim loose ends or bring them to garment inside.

Stitched out corded buttonhole, before pulling cording thread

Finished buttonhole will look like this - the cord is fully covered in buttonhole bar tacks, giving buttonhole a beautiful, elevated and long-lasting look.