Can AI Help Me Make Better Buttonholes?

Hello, My Snazzie Friend!

How do you feel about sewing buttonholes? Do you find them intimidating like I used to?

For years, I always dreaded the buttonhole part of sewing a garment such as a shirt or dress. In fact, sometimes it was so bad that I would “finish” a garment and then let it sit in a bin for months before I finally got the nerve to actually sew the buttonholes.

Buttonholes are usually one of the last things you sew on a shirt and sometimes this is where things can go wrong. I was reminded of this last week.

I sewed this green blouse as part of my Fall 2024 wardrobe sewing plans and everything was going great until this happened.

Yep, I used a seam ripper to cut open the buttonholes and ended up slicing right through the buttonhole and beyond.

At first, I almost cried, then I considered just burning down my sewing room.

Finally, I decided to use this as a learning experience and see if AI might have some tips and tricks for me.

I asked ChatGPT “What are some tips and tricks for cutting open button holes to ensure you don’t accidentally cut the stitching?”

I tried most of its tips, and here are my thoughts.

What Does ChatGPT Have to Say About Cutting Buttonholes

Use a Seam Ripper with Control

ChatGPT: Start Slowly: Insert the seam ripper at one end of the buttonhole and carefully push it toward the other end. Keep the blade just under the fabric layer.

Well, this is what I was doing when the sharp seam ripper effortlessly cut right through the buttonhole and beyond.

ChatGPT: Safety Pin Trick: Place a small safety pin across the end of the buttonhole (within the buttonhole stitching). This will stop the seam ripper from cutting beyond the stitching.

I have known about this trick for a long time but have never tried it before. ChatGPT says to use a safety pin, but a regular straight pin will work just fine and is a little easier to use.

Chat GPT: Go in Two Halves: Start from one end and cut halfway, then turn and do the other half. This approach helps prevent slipping.

This is very similar to the Start Slowly advice. Sometimes the seam ripper just gets away from you.

Use Sharp, Small Scissors

ChatGPT: Snip from the Center: Fold the fabric slightly so the buttonhole’s center forms a small gap, then cut a tiny slit in the middle. Carefully snip toward each end, stopping just before the stitching.

This is a good alternative to seam rippers and I have used it. You need to make sure you use small sharp scissors.

ChatGPT: Precision Blades: Use sharp, small embroidery scissors to maintain control. They make it easier to avoid slicing into the stitching.

You may also want to use good lighting and, for some of us, reading glasses.

Buttonhole Cutter and Block

ChatGPT: Professional Tool: A buttonhole cutter is a chisel-like tool specifically for cutting buttonholes cleanly.

This is usually my preferred method of cutting button holes. I do run into issues if the button holes are smaller than the chisel. I have seen some sewist say that they have used wood carving chisels, which you can pick up cheap at places like Harbor Freight. These chisels are slightly different because they are only beveled on one side and not in the center like the buttonhole cutter.

ChatGPT: Wooden Block: Place the fabric on a wooden block, align the buttonhole cutter on the buttonhole, and gently press down. This will make a clean, straight cut.

Personally, I just use a cutting mat but a wood block dedicated to cutting button holes might be a good idea.

Consider Fray Check

ChatGPT: Prevent Fraying: If your fabric tends to fray, applying a small amount of fray check along the inside edges of the buttonhole can reinforce the cut area.

Yes, I always use Fray check on my button holes.

ChatGPT: Apply After Cutting: Wait until after you’ve cut the buttonhole to avoid stiffening the area where you need to insert your scissors or seam ripper.

OK, I can see the logic in this tip if you are using a seam ripper or scissors but I always use the Fray Check before I cut my buttonhole, remember I’m usually using a chisel cutter.

I apply the Fray Check to the buttonhole and then I set it with the iron.

Mark the Buttonhole Ends

ChatGPT: Fabric Marker Guide: Lightly mark where you want to stop cutting on each end of the buttonhole. This extra visual guide can help you cut precisely without passing the stitching.

I think ChatGPT might be stretching here. As if it just wanted to get five tips. The buttonholes should already be marked with the thread that you used to sew the buttonhole.

I guess this could be a good tip if you are really having trouble seeing the thread but you still need to see to place the marks.

Even if you do mark your buttonhole, you could still run into my original issue where the seam ripper just isn’t going to respect boundaries like that.

In the end, I didn’t learn anything new from AI, but I did try a few tricks that I had been aware of but had never used before.

So what about the shirt? Fortunately, it’s not a complete loss. The button plackets are sewn on, so that means I can remove the ruined placket and sew on a new one. I also have plenty of leftover fabric to do just that. In fact, I already had to re-cut the sleeves and the plackets once before. I’ll talk more about that in another post.

Do you have any tips on sewing and cutting buttonholes?

What about your own buttonhole horror stories?

Please leave them down in the comments.

Happy (and careful) Sewing,

Kelly