Sewing Techniques

Corded Button Loops

Button loops filled out and strengthened with cord make a suitable fastening for ball- shaped buttons and keyhole necklines, cuffs and wedding dresses. Covering the cord with fabric gives an exact match for a garment.

How to make covered cord

1. Cut a length of bias fabric to the length required. It must be wide enough to cover the cord with extra for a seam allowance. Cut a piece of cord twice this length.

2. With the right side of the fabric on the inside enclose the cord in fabric.
Only half the cord will be covered.

3. Attach the zip or piping foot and stitch adjacent to the cord. Pivot and stitch across through the cord just before the end of the fabric covering the cord.

4. Trim off the excess seam allowance to approximately 1/8” and ease the fabric over the remainder of the cord.

HANDY TIPS:

This technique can be used with any fabric but must be cut on the bias for a smooth result. Use corded button loops as fastenings on wedding bodices, cuffs, necklines and edge-to-edge jackets. Use them with round buttons, covered buttons and toggles.

Use a suitable width of cord for the sewing task and stitch with the help of a zip or piping foot attachment. A size 11 needle will suit most fabrics and the stitch length should be shortened to allow more give when pulling through.

There’s no need to press the finished loops.

How to make the loops

1. The loops can be cut individually and used singly. Chalk a line to mark the position of the fastening line and fold the loop, placing it on the line with the raw edges toward the edge.

2. The entire covered cord can be looped along the length of the fastening line and stitched in place. Baste parallel lines on the fabric as a guide and fold the cord into loops, ensuring they are evenly spaced and equally sized. Baste the loops in position and sew the inner ends (towards the edge) in place. remove the basting and fold the loops to the outer edge.

How to make a self-filled Rouleau loop

1. Cut a length of bias strip approximately 2.5 cm (1”) wide and fold it lengthways with the right side on the inside.

2. Shorten the stitch length and sew close and parallel to the folded edge. The distance from the edge will be determined by the width of the loop required. Stitch a second line of stitching adjacent to the first in the seam allowance.

3. Without trimming any excess, turn the loop through with a Rouleau turner tool or a large blunt needle threaded with double thread and secured to on end. The result is a tube padded with the seam allowance.