How to
Buttonhole stitch
![Buttonhole stitch](https://www.tinkerpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/buttonhole-stitch.jpg)
The buttonhole stitch is a variation of the basic blanket stitch. It is used to hand stitch buttonholes and is an art form in itself.
It is labor intensive and takes time to get it perfectly done, but you will never look at a buttonhole the same after you have mastered this stitch.
![Buttonhole stitch tutorial 3](https://www.tinkerpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/buttonhole-stitch-tutorial-3.jpg)
Have a look at my short video demonstration below to learn how to make the buttonhole stitch.
If you are having trouble viewing the video, please click here to watch it on Youtube.
Was the video helpful?
Kindly “like and subscribe” to support my Tinker patterns channel.
Step by step
Follow along and you will very soon be able to do the buttonhole stitch.
![Buttonhole stitch tutorial 1](https://www.tinkerpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/buttonhole-stitch-tutorial-1.jpg)
Draw two lines with a pencil about a stitch length apart.
Bring your needle up from the back of the fabric, where you want to start your stitch.
![Buttonhole stitch tutorial 2](https://www.tinkerpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/buttonhole-stitch-tutorial-2.jpg)
Insert the tip of the needle back into the fabric, right next to where you started the stitch.
![Buttonhole stitch tutorial 3](https://www.tinkerpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/buttonhole-stitch-tutorial-3-1.jpg)
Bring the needle up where the second pencil line is. Keep the needle in the fabric and wind the floss around the needle (behind the needle) on the eye and tip side.
![Buttonhole stitch tutorial 4](https://www.tinkerpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/buttonhole-stitch-tutorial-4.jpg)
Grab the needle at the tip end and pull it out gently. There will be a loop with the floss coming through it.
![Buttonhole stitch tutorial 5](https://www.tinkerpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/buttonhole-stitch-tutorial-5.jpg)
Pull gently on the floss towards the top of the stitch (where the stitch started.)
![Buttonhole stitch tutorial 6](https://www.tinkerpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/buttonhole-stitch-tutorial-6.jpg)
A line of floss will form with a knot at the top. This is your first buttonhole stitch.
![Buttonhole stitch tutorial 7](https://www.tinkerpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/buttonhole-stitch-tutorial-7.jpg)
Insert the needle right next to where the first stitch started and repeat what you did to form the first stitch.
![Buttonhole stitch tutorial 8](https://www.tinkerpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/buttonhole-stitch-tutorial-8.jpg)
Make sure to place the stitches close to each other. Keep on repeating until the line of stitches are done.
Blanket stitch
Variations
There are more than 20 different variations of the basic blanket stitch. The picture links below lead to pages with demonstrations of some of them.
![Background leaves](https://www.tinkerpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/background-leaves-plat2-e1715684088155-300x72.png)
You are here > How to Buttonhole stitch > Embroidery Stitches > Home