The second stitch in Sharron B's TAST challenge is buttonhole stitch. There has been an ongoing debate about buttonhole stitch / blanket stitch and the difference for many years amongst embroiderers. Older embroiderers remember doing hand worked buttonholes which used tailor's buttonhole stitch as opposed to closely worked blanket stitch which today is called buttonhole stitch. I found this diagram of the tailor's buttonhole stitch in Oldhams Big Book of Needlecraft which I believe is from the 1960's or perhaps a little earlier. There is an extra loop put into the stitch which forms a "bead" on the edge which would give a more robust buttonhole when used on tailored coats, suits and work wear. This might be an early Victorian innovation since the buttonoles and eyelets used on pre-Victorian corsets and clothing seem to be just overcast or satin stitched like modern eyelets, with no "bead" on the edge of the cut hole.
4 comments:
Thanks for the diagrom and information. I was trying to remember just what it was that my high school home ec. teacher had taught us!
I'm glad someone was able to find a close up diagram, because I couldn't. My question is, since it is not apparent from the picture, how would you start the stitch?
Thank you for this, must give it a try.
Lisa, not sure what you mean by "how do you start the stitch" When I do most stitches I start with a waste knot then weave it into the back after doing a little. But I have started this type of close stitch with a few little running stitches under the area to be worked over later. Hope this answers your question.
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