1 Bring the needle out on the far left of the closed buttonhole stitch (1), and push the needle back at the tip of the stitch (2), where all 3 upwards stitches will converge. Hold the loose thread with your left hand so that it doesn’t get tightened too early.
Bring the needle out at the base of the first upwards stitch (3). Pull it out and tighten the thread, then push the needle back out at the top of the stitch again (4).
2 Repeat the same process for the next 2 upwards stitches: out at the base of the 2nd stitch (5), always making sure the needle comes up inside the thread loop, back through the fabric at the top (6), and out at the base of the 3rd stitch (7) to finish the cluster of stitches.
Repeat the entire process to stitch as many clusters of closed buttonhole stitches as required.
3 To go round corners, simply use the same method, tilting the stitches as shown on the pattern.
4 There are 2 ways to end this stitch – depending on whether you need to reconnect to an existing row of similar stitches (for a seamless finish), or wheher you need a clear cut end to the row.
The seamless finish:
When you get to the 3rd upwards stitch of the last cluster, add a step between the (5) and (6) steps described above: BEFORE pushing the needle back through the fabric at the top, glide it UNDER the first stitch of the next cluster. THEN push the needle back through the fabric, and tie the thread at the back of the stitch.
The clear cut finish:
Once you’ve stitched the last upward stitch of the last cluster, push the needle back through the fabric in the hole directly NEXT to the last used hole. This will tack the stitch in place with a tiny (almost) invisible stitch.
Fancy seeing it stitched in action? Here’s a short video:
Fancy trying out your new skills? Here’s a selection of patterns do to just that:
Happy stitching!
9 Responses
Emma Davis
How to you go round a corner using the closed buttonhole stitch?
Faby Reilly
Hi Emma 🙂 To go round a corner, proceed exactly as shown in the tutorial above, despite the fact that the stitches are angled differently. The corners are made of 3 buttonhole stitches, all pointing towards the tip of a pyramid shape, just like the “standard” closed buttonhole stitches. The main difference is that the base isn’t flat – this ovbiously changes the look of the stitch, but it doesn’t change the stitching process. Just follow the pattern carefully to know exactly where to go through the fabric.
If you need a more detailed description/instructions, don’t hesitate to get it touch via email (or via the contact form on the website) and I’ll put together some step-by-step photos of the corner for you 🙂
Emma Davis
Hi, thank you for your reply…x.. I’ve been trying to figure it out, but my brain just can’t get the hang of it! I do better with visual instructions, so if it’s no bother could I please take you up on your offer of the step by step photos for going round the corner..Sorry to be pain, but thank you so much and stay safe..x
Faby Reilly
Hi Emma, no problem at all – I’ll add corner pictures to the tutorial ASAP 😊! Stay safe too !! x
Faby Reilly
There you go, Emma, the corner pictures are added to the tutorial 🙂 x
Emma Davis
Thank you so much! You make it look so easy! I’m sure I’ll be able to figure it out now and really appreciate your help..x
Faby Reilly
You’re more than welcome, Emma 😊 !! x
Brethenoux
Merci beaucoup pour ce nouveau point de broderie.
Faby Reilly
Avec grand plaisir !!! 🙂