If you have ever made a buttonhole on fleece you know some of
the problems that can occur. Fleece garments rarely incorporate
interfacing due to the bulky nature of the fabric. Thus the stabilization needed
for buttonholes is not there. Here we will show you how to fix some common
buttonhole problems. Remember: always test on a scrap
piece of fleece before sewing on the finished garment.
Problem #1- Marking the Buttonhole on the Fleece
Fleece is a thick and fluffy material which makes it hard to
accurately mark buttonhole placement.
To
mark a buttonhole: using either a permanent, wash-out or disappearing ink
marker (so as not to stain the fleece), draw the buttonhole on to a piece of
water soluble stabilizer. Pin the water soluble stabilizer to the fleece where
the buttonhole is to be and stitch using the water soluble stabilizer as your
guide. Once finished wash out the water soluble stabilizer.
Problem #2- Buttonhole Stitches Sink into the Fleece
Because of fleece having a higher loft than most materials
buttonhole stitches tend to sink into the fleece.
To prevent stitches from sinking: use a water soluble
stabilizer on top (as shown in above) and a tear-away stabilizer underneath the
buttonhole. Once stitched tear away the bottom stabilizer and wash out the water
soluble stabilizer.
Problem
#3- Wavy or Gaping Buttonholes
Fleece, being a stretch knit, can distort upon cutting open
the buttonhole. This primarily occurs because the stitch density is too tight.
Ways to prevent wavy buttonholes: loosen the stitch
length from the preset setting so that a small amount of the fleece is visible
between the stitches.
OR
Follow
your machines directions for making a corded buttonhole. Once finished
pull up the cording to the desired length and pull the cording tails to the
wrong side of the garment using a large eye hand sewing needle. Knot the
ends
and cut off excess.
Click here
for a larger view
TIP: You do not need to buy cording to make a corded
buttonhole. Simply use matching thread! Take a long piece of thread and fold it
in half and then fold in half again creating four strands of thread to be used
as one "cord" (as illustrated above).
OR
Use water soluble stabilizer and tear-away stabilizer in the
same manner as listed in Problem #2 above.
Credit: information obtained from
"Adventures With PolarfleeceŽ A Sewing Expedition" by Nancy
Cornwell. Published by Krause Publications, Iola, WI, www.krausebooks.com,
phone: 1-800-258-0929.
