The Easy Way To Cut Open Buttonholes

After stitching a beautiful buttonhole, follow these easy steps to safely cut it ready for sewing on the buttons.

What you will need

There are many different tools that can be purchased but you will only need the following:

Two pins.

Stitch un-picker.

Sharp pair of small scissors.

*Tools needed for cutting a buttonhole.*

Pin the buttonhole ends

Insert a pin underneath the bartack at each end of the buttonhole.

Make sure that the pin is visible on the back of the buttonhole.

*The pins can be seen at the back of the buttonhole.*

Cut the buttonhole

Push the point of the stitch unpicker/ripper through the fabric at the centre of the buttonhole.

Holding the unpicker so that it is close to the fabric, carefully push it towards one of the pins. The curved blade on the unpicker will cut the fabric. This may take a little bit of pressure to get started.

Cut as far as you can (the pin will prevent you from cutting too far).

*Use the stitch unpicker to cut open the buttonhole.*

Turn the buttonhole around and cut the other side.

*Cut the second half of the buttonhole.*

If needed, use a small pair of sharp scissors to cut the ends of the buttonhole.

*Use scissors to cut the last bit of the buttonhole.*

To finish

Check that the button can fit through the buttonhole.

It is better to have it a little tight instead of too loose. This will prevent the button from coming undone whilst in use.

Trim any lose threads.

You are now ready to start sewing on your button!