Sewing101: Hand-worked button holes

 Alright, raise your hand if you have ever been terrified with the idea of making a button hole. Seriously I failed miserably at every button hole I ever tried up until a couple months ago. I finally told myself enough is enough. I was going to make a button hole. Practice does help. Knowing that they really aren't that bad helped even more. So I have three lessons for you about button holes. The first is hand-worked. There are a couple of reasons to use a hand-worked button hole.
1. You are using a really old machine that may not have a "zig-zag" stitch option
2. You are working with really large buttons and need a large and secure hole
3. You like the look of a chunky button hole
4. You are using a fabric that is too delicate for the machine button hole.
What ever the reason I will show you two ways to hand work a button hole (there are many more)

 I start by marking the two sides of the button. Then draw a line between them. The markings on the end will be the height of your stitch and the line is where the slit will be.

 Start by cutting the slit.

 Then using either normal sewing thread or embroidery floss (like I am) pull your needle through from the back. (starting at one end) then go through the slit and back up right next to the thread coming out.

 The first stitch I am sharing is the blanket stitch. Where you will go through the loop before you pull it tight.

 Then continue stitch all along the slit and when you get to the end you can simply curve around to the other side of the slit.

 Then when you get back to the beginning stitch through connecting the top and bottom of the slit, a few times.

 There you have a button hole with the blanket stitch.

 The other way is to stitch without going through the loop. Simply stitch through the side of the slit. Keep the stitches close.

 Then curve at the end and stitch to secure when you get back to the beginning. Simple as that.

2 lovely button holes. You can do these any size, and spacing that you need.