9/1/2019 Tutorial: How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog

(HTTPS://WWW.COLETTEHQ.COM/)

BLOG (/)

ABOUT US (HTTPS://WWW.COLETTEHQ.COM/ABOUT/)

CONTACT (HTTPS://WWW.COLETTEHQ.COM/CONTACT/)

Search Blog Archives

TUTORIALS (HTTPS://BLOG.COLETTEHQ.COM/CATEGORY/TUTORIALS)

Tutorial: How to make button

loops for the Violet blouse
July 26, 2011
(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial#comments) 10
(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial#comments)

https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 1/21
9/1/2019 Tutorial: How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog

(https://blog.colettehq.com/media/2011/04/IMG_8326.jpg)

Here we are in our final steps of transforming the Violet

(https://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/violet) blouse pattern and I am so proud! If you’ve
followed along with us by adding tucks and a lace collar, then you’re ready for clustered button
loops. If not, feel free to go back to check out the tuck tutorial
(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-tips-tricks/violet-blouse-tuck-tutorial) and lace collar
tutorial (https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-tips-tricks/lace-collar-tutorial) or jump ahead by
adding button loops to any current project. Button loops can be added in any arrangement you
like, but for this tutorial we did clusters of three at the neckline, bust, and waist. Any
arrangement is sure to be lovely so just have fun and feel free to experiment!

https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 2/21
9/1/2019 Tutorial: How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8317)

You will need:

Violet blouse and pattern

Fabric pen

Ruler

Thread

10″ x 10″ square of fabric to match the blouse

Thick topstitching thread

a large hand sewing needle

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-

tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8174)

https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 3/21
Step 1: To create button loops thatTutorial:
9/1/2019
stretch a little bit, we first must cut 1″ strips along the bias of a 10″ x
How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog

10″ piece of fabric that matches your blouse. To do this, just center a 1″ wide strip at a 45 degree angle
of the fabric. Create another line 1″ away from each side of the center strip. Cut along the lines you drew.

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-

tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8175)

Step 2: Cut off the diagonal edges of each strip.

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-

tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8178)

Step 3: Place two strips at 90 degree angles with the right sides together, lining up the edges. Sew
diagonally across, as in the photo.

https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 4/21
9/1/2019 Tutorial: How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-

tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8179)

Step 4: Cut off diagonal seam allowance, leaving just about 1/8″

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-

tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8181)

Step 5: Press open seam allowance.

https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 5/21
9/1/2019 Tutorial: How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-

tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8182)

Step 6: Right sides together, sew strip with 1/4″ seam allowance. Trim seam allowance to 1/8″

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-

tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8187)

Step 7: To turn the tube right side out, you can use a loop turner, safety pin, or a thick thread. I’ll show you
the thick thread and needle method here, but use whichever you like best. Using a thick top stitching
thread and a large needle, stitch a few times through one side of the fabric at the end of the tube. This will
anchor the thread.

https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 6/21
9/1/2019 Tutorial: How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-

tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8188)

Step 8: Insert the dull end of the needle through the tube.

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-

tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8190)

Step 9: Push the needle through the entire tube until it is all scrunched up. Take care not to poke yourself!

https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 7/21
9/1/2019 Tutorial: How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-

tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8191)

Step 10: Gently coax the scrunched up fabric over the threaded anchor at the end of the tube. Once the
initial bit of fabric is past the anchor, the rest of the tube should turn right side out easily.

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-

tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8192)

Step 11: Once the entire tube is right side out, trim off the anchored thread.

https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 8/21
9/1/2019 Tutorial: How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-

tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8193)

Step 12: Cut the tube into two inch pieces.

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-

tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8084)

Step 13: Lay blouse flat on table. On the left side of the blouse opening, draw a parallel line 3/8″ way from
the center front. Carefully trim the fabric along that line.

https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 9/21
9/1/2019 Tutorial: How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-
tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8196)

Step 14: Decide where you’d like the buttons to be on the right side of the blouse, but don’t sew them on
yet. For this tutorial I arranged the buttons in clusters of three at the neckline, bust, and waist. This
placement corresponds with the dots indicated on pattern pieces, which should already be marked on the
fabric. For the neckline, I placed a button at the 1st and 2nd dots marked along the centerfront with one
button in between them. The same goes for the bust (a button at the 3rd and 4th dot with one in the
middle) and  waist (a button at the 5th and 6th dot with one in the middle). If you click to enlarge this
photo, you can see how the white marks on the left side correspond to the buttons.

https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 10/21
9/1/2019 Tutorial: How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-

tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8200)

Step 15: On the left side of the blouse, make a blue mark corresponding to the intended button
placement.

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-

tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8201)

Step 16: Now, overlap the ends of each 2″ tube to create a nice loop with the seam showing on the wrong
side. (Photo shows the right side).

https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 11/21
9/1/2019 Tutorial: How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-

tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8205)

Step 17: Pin each loop to the left side of the blouse about 3/8″ away from the CF. Right sides should be
together, and raw edges should be facing the center front.

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-

tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8207)

Step 18: Baste the loops in place.

https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 12/21
9/1/2019 Tutorial: How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-

tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8209)

Step 19: Trim the seam allowance down 3/8″ along the center front edge of the interfaced facing. This
way it will correspond with the trimmed blouse front. With right sides together, sew facing to the blouse
at 1/4″ seam allowance along the front opening. Make sure you sew with 5/8″ seam allowance around
the neck since that hasn’t been trimmed. Follow the pattern instructions for finishing the neckline.

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-tips-tricks/button-loops-tutorial/attachment/img_8211)

Step 20: Turn the facing out and press. Look at those cute button loops! Resume sewing blouse
according to pattern directions. At the very end you can sew your buttons on to correspond with the
loops.

Related posts you might be interested in:

Violet blouse tuck tutorial (https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-tips-tricks/violet-blouse-tuck-

tutorial): learn to make delicate tucks.

Lace collar tutorial (https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials-tips-tricks/lace-collar-tutorial): how to

make the lovely lace collar with an existing pattern piece.
https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 13/21
9/1/2019(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?
Tutorial: How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog

url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.colettehq.com%2Ftutorials%2Fbutton-loops-
tutorial&media=/media/2011/04/IMG_8326.jpg&description=Colette+Blog%3A+Tutorial%3A+How+to+make+button+

RACHEL RECTOR   —  

You may also be interested in:

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/violet-blouse-tuck-tutorial)
https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 14/21
Tutorial:
9/1/2019 How to add tucks to the Violet blouse (https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/violet-blouse-tuck-tutorial)
Tutorial: How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/tutorial-add-pockets-to-the-violet-blouse-with-free-pocket-template)

Tutorial: Add pockets to the Violet Blouse (with free pocket template) (https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/tutorial-add-pockets-
to-the-violet-blouse-with-free-pocket-template)

https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 15/21
9/1/2019 Tutorial: How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/tutorial-add-a-keyhole-and-ties-to-the-violet-blouse-sleeves)

Tutorial: Add a keyhole and ties to the Violet blouse sleeves (https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/tutorial-add-a-keyhole-and-ties-
to-the-violet-blouse-sleeves)

https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 16/21
9/1/2019 Tutorial: How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/tutorial-easy-belt-loops)

Tutorial: How to make easy belt loops (https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/tutorial-easy-belt-loops)

https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 17/21
9/1/2019 Tutorial: How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog

(https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/lace-collar-tutorial)

Tutorial: How to make a lace overlay collar (https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/lace-collar-tutorial)

Comments 10

July 26, 2011

JILL FLORY sewafineseam.blogspot.com (http://www.sewafineseam.blogspot.com)

GREAT tutorial! Very easy to follow and to envision how it all goes together. fantastic job:)

https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 18/21
9/1/2019 Tutorial: How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog

July 26, 2011

EMMA steadfastbags.com (http://steadfastbags.com)

These loops make me nervous! A little more intense than I think I can handle right now, but such a beautiful
detail! I love the spacing; it really brings the blouse together.

October 13, 2011

EMILY

these are so lovely! and it’s a little labour intensive perhaps but you make it seem so clear and easy… would be
lovely on a shirt dress for just the bodice and then no buttons for the skirt part. hmmm :)

September 2, 2012
LEAH

What an amazing program ,cant wait to bet at my pc at at night there are so many new and wonderfull tips and
guideline .thank you so much Leah.

April 12, 2013

LAURA LEE

Quick newbie question. I have a machine with a one-step buttonhole function and I know how to use it; it requires
the needle to be dropped at the starting point of the button hole. On your patterns is that the bottom of the “T”?
Did my muslin last night and it looks right but I wanted to make sure before moving on…thank you

Team

SARAI colettepatterns.com (https://www.colettepatterns.com/) @saraicat (https://twitter.com/saraicat)

April 12, 2013

https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 19/21
 9/1/2019 You can start buttonholes on either
Tutorial: Howend. I usually
to make like for
button loops to the
start from
Violet the| center
blouse front and move out to
Colette Blog

avoid any possibility of puckering, but if your fabric is pretty stable, this shouldn’t be an issue.

April 12, 2013

LAURA LEE

Thank you so much! You and your site really inspire me.

We’re sorry, comments for this post have been closed.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MAILING LIST

First Name

Last Name

Email

(HTTPS://WWW.COLETTEHQ.COM/)

PATTERNS (HTTPS://WWW.COLETTEPATTERNS.COM/) SEAMWORK (HTTPS://WWW.SEAMWORK.COM/)

SNIPPETS (HTTPS://GETSNIPPETS.COM/)

https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 20/21
9/1/2019 Tutorial: How to make button loops for the Violet blouse | Colette Blog
ABOUT (HTTPS://WWW.COLETTEHQ.COM/ABOUT/) CONTACT (HTTPS://WWW.COLETTEHQ.COM/CONTACT/)

HELP (HTTPS://HELP.COLETTEMEDIA.COM/)

© 2008–2019 Colette Media, LLC (https://www.colettehq.com/)

 •  Terms of Use (https://help.colettemedia.com/policies/terms-conditions)  • 
Privacy Policy (https://help.colettemedia.com/policies/privacy-policy)

https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/button-loops-tutorial 21/21