Sewing Question: I made an old fashioned coat for GD out of woven fabric. Now it is too thick for my Janome to make buttonholes. It will NOT reverse. Just makes a mess on the back side. Any ideas? Becky

How about old fashioned bound buttonholes? If you don't know how to make them maybe you could find a local tailor or seamstress that you could trade some embroidery work for buttonholes???
Another alternative might be to use heavy duty sew on snaps on the inside of the coat and just stitch the coat buttons on the outside so it will look like it is buttoned.

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by workbecky 20 Dec 2011

I have some heavy duty snaps. This is definitely a possibility. Thanks.

Why don't you just use braid closures on the coat? Joann's has them, see link below.

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by workbecky 19 Dec 2011

Thanks. The coat is double breasted so don't know how this would look. I am off to JoAnns with all these wonderful ideas. Thanks so much.

How about toggles?
AlmaG

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by workbecky 19 Dec 2011

Thanks for the great idea. I am off to JoAnn's

have you tried lessening the pressure on your presser foot? This will help thick fabric move thru easier.

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by workbecky 19 Dec 2011

I have not tried that. I will try first then some of the other ideas listed here. Thanks so much. Becky

I was going to suggest handmade buttonholes too.
You could undo the seam at the front edge and insert some sturdy cording and do loops for the buttons. If the fabric is really too thick, the buttons might pop out of buttonholes anyway.

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by workbecky 19 Dec 2011

The fabric doesn't seem that much thicker than a good wool coat but it just fits soooo snug under the buttonhole foot it just sits there and makes a knot on the back. I tried to help it move but of course the stitches were not uniform or pretty. Thanks for the ideas. Becky

How good is your hand stitching? You can look up how to do a button hole stitch by hand. Since the coat is "old fashioned" it might work. Use a thick contrast thread if (you have confidence in your stitching).

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by workbecky 19 Dec 2011

I thought of the hand stitching but oh my would it hold? I guess that is how it used to be done. I know the thread companies used to make buttonhole thread though I don't remember seeing it lately (but I haven't looked either--lol). Well I guess it is off to Jo-Anns for me. Thanks. Becky

Can you try Machine Embroidery button hole pattern? Also try a teflon sheet (makes the fabric slide easily, used for free motion quilting). Perhaps frogs? (The asian inspired knotted closures) or really large hook and eyes with a button on the outside for looks? Lots of choices, some require more planning like having the teflon sheet, but you should be able to come up with an alternative. Good luck! Linda

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by workbecky 19 Dec 2011

I don't digitize so I don't think I could do the embroidery button hole. I thought of the teflon sheet but I don't have one. Excuse to get another gadget. Yeah!!. The coat is double breasted. I don't know how the frogs would look. ???? Great ideas though. Thanks for your help.