Fabric Covered Buttons in Five Easy Steps

I have been doing a little pattern testing for someone (results to be shown very soon) and part of the pattern involves buttons and instead of my usual buttonhole cop out of using snaps (see here and here) I  could see how the  print would be perfect for fabric covered buttons.  I have always feared these.  My experiences with covering metal buttons have not been good- having to paint the metal to stop shiny metal showing through.   This version using Sewline plastic self cover buttons, is a breeze.  The only downside is the button shank is a little high- OK for a dress, not so good if it was a shirt or blouse.

5 Steps to Fabric Covered Buttons

1. A circle template is provided on the back of the packet.
2. Draw round and cut out, centring or fussy cutting pattern/motif if desired.
3. Using polyester thread for strength, stitch line of running stitches 1/8" from the edge, pull and drawn in around button securing the thread in the fabric folds with stitches and knot.
4. Place the plastic washer dimpled side down on to button covering all raw edges.
5. Place button shank on top of polyester thread spool and press- this secures the washer.  

The fabric I used was Flumes from Sarah Watson's Luxe in Bloom range for Art Gallery fabrics, you might find some at M is for Make.  Courtney at Seamstar sells larger plastic self cover buttons.  I used 15mm-5/8" from ebay.

A post about buttons but also about sewing machines.  I have had a few sewing machines in my life and my most recent, Janome Horizon 7700 has been the best but I have also learnt that no single machine will do everything.  The Horizon is a beast over different thicknesses, a wonder with its accufeed system and a pleasure to quilt with.  It does have its downfalls.  The zipper foot is way too chunky and the accufeed foot will put bag and pillow zips in much more efficiently than the standard zipper foot every would. The buttonhole feature is truly disappointing.  Its overly automated so that a single step of a 4 step buttonhole can't be isolated, it automatically sews an entire buttonhole and is not consistent in this.  It also prefers to work out the size of buttonhole through a sensor system- these always come out too big for clothing and smaller buttons.  

The sensor system is very sensitive and if slightly jogged during a series of buttonholes- e.g on a shirt- random small and mishaped versions appear (see above)- very frustrating when sewing on fine fabric like lawn which doesn't take to kindly to constant unpicking.   I have a potential solution, involving a Featherweight attachment, just awaiting delivery...