The closed buttonhole stitch is a spaced buttonhole stitch with pairs of stitches worked from the same hole, first left, and then right, to form a triangle. The triangle can be an equilateral triangle, with the top point centered over the base, or a right angle triangle, with the point either to the left or the right.
This stitch is used for lines, embellishments on clothing and in crazy quilting. It can be used as an appliqué stitch, with the edge of the appliqué lined up to either the triangle points, or the straight line. It’s not just for the edge of a buttonhole!
How to Embroider the Closed Buttonhole Stitch
The closed buttonhole stitch is a variation on the spaced buttonhole stitch, but the 'legs' are stitched from one point to the right and left, forming a triangular buttonhole stitch.
Use this on the edge of projects for a finished edge.
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Materials
- Fabric for embroidery
- Embroidery thread or floss
Tools
- Embroidery needle suitable for thread or floss
- Embroidery scissors
- Embroidery hoop, optional but recommended
Instructions
- Start by placing your fabric in a hoop. Using a hoop for your embroidery helps keep your fabric taut, making it easier to have nice and even stitches.
Bring your needle up at A, which is the base line for your stitch. Then take your needle down at B, the peak of the triangle, and then loop the thread and take your needle back down at C, close to where you originally started the stitch, so that the working thread wraps around the needle point.
- Put your needle back down at D, which is the same hole as B, and back up at E, looping your thread to form a triangle.
- To make the next stitch, take your needle down at F, and back up at G, which is the same as E, looping your thread.
- Take your needle back down at H, the same as F, and up at I, looping your thread and forming the second triangle.
- Continue stitching starting on your line, taking the needle down at the peak of the triangle, and back up on the line looping the thread.
- Then, back up to the top of the triangle, back to the line, again looping the thread or floss.
- Do this until you get to the end of your line. Bring your needle back up looping the thread, then take a very small stitch securing your loop along the bottom line, taking your thread to the back of your work to tie off.
- Here is the finished closed button hole stitch!
Notes
NOTE: if you want a perfect line with perfectly spaced triangles, all the same height, you can mark your fabric with a removable pen or pencil with parallel lines for the top and bottom of the stitch. Then, go back and mark intervals for the spacing for the bottom of the stitch.
NOTE: We made equilateral triangles with the top of the triangle centered over the base. You can do triangles with right angles either to the left or right, depending on where you place your needle on the upper line.
Recommended Products
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DMC Embroidery Floss Pack, Popular Colors, DMC Embroidery Thread, DMC Floss Kit Include 36 Assorted Color Bundle with DMC Mouline Cotton White/Black and DMC Cross Stitch Hand Needles. -
Bohin Crewel Embroidery Needles, Size 7, 15 Per Package -
Valdani Perle Cotton Embroidery Thread Size 8 Vintage Hues Collection -
Caydo 6 Pieces Embroidery Hoop Set Bamboo Circle Cross Stitch Hoop Ring 4 inch to 10 inch for Embroidery and Cross Stitch -
kai 5 1/2 inch Embroidery Scissors, Black Handle
Here is another sample of the closed buttonhole stitch using a variegated thread. You can make the triangles slant right or left (or be centered). Also, they can be tall and skinny. Or vary your stitch length to make them close together, or far apart! Have fun making different sizes and shapes and see what you like best for your project!
Ideas for using the Closed Buttonhole Stitch
- Stitch a line of the closed buttonhole stitch and top each point with a French Knot to look like a row of flowers.
- Stitch two rows of the closed button hold stitch with the solid lines close together and the triangles facing out for a fun design.
- Add lazy daisy stitch on top of each point for another great flower design.
Hand embroidery is an easy project that you can take with you. All you need is some embroidery thread or floss, needle, embroidery scissors and a small hoop. To work on a project, you don’t need a hoop larger than your work, the hoops are easy to move on your fabric. Going on an airplane? Take a pair of kids rounded end scissors – they go through security just fine and work for cutting your threads.
There are many buttonhole variations. Learn more about the basic buttonhole stitch. Check out all of the embroidery tutorials on Create Whimsy!
