Buttonhole

A garment closure opening finished with stitches to receive a button—the buttonhole form on dress assembly, distinct from [[bound-buttonhole|Bound buttonhole]] as related cousin and from [[machine-buttonhole|Machine buttonhole]] without general buttonhole naming.

How to recognize it

Buttonhole shows cut opening with bartacked ends and stitched edges sized for button shank passage.

Bound buttonhole is the related cousin term. Machine buttonhole names a different construction method.

Origin and history

Seam articles name buttonhole on garment assembly.[1] Buttonhole documents buttonhole construction on cotton.[2] Sewing contrasts buttonhole and related finishes.[3] Construction photography documents buttonhole reference.[4]

Buttonhole reads on tailored and ready-to-wear dress.[2] Buttonhole differs from related construction cousins.[1] Contrast with batch-30 lapel construction and collar stand cousins on interior layer finish.[3]

Today buttonhole appears on buttonhole shirt cuff, blouse front, tailored jacket closure, and hand-worked opening assembly in silk and wool.[1][2] Clean finish needs even stitch line.[4] When slit opening finished with hand or machine stitches to receive a button—buttonhole applies.[2]

Where it is used

Buttonhole shirt cuff, blouse front, tailored jacket closure, and hand-worked opening assembly.[2]

What is worn now

Editorial styling suggestions from MsDressly—not strict rules.

Buttonhole pairs with pressed seam allowance on structured bodice.[2]

How it differs

Bound buttonhole is related cousin. Machine buttonhole names different finish. Compare gold anchors flat-felled and French.[1]

Expression and impression

Buttonhole reads durable, clean-finished, and construction-specific.

Common questions

Buttonhole vs bound-buttonhole? Bound buttonhole is related cousin; buttonhole names specific form.[1]

Buttonhole vs machine-buttonhole? Machine buttonhole lacks buttonhole naming.[2]

Buttonhole modern? Yes on buttonhole shirt cuff.[2]

Often confused with

Sources

  1. Seam . Wikipedia Joinery methods that connect fabric panels in garment assembly.
  2. Buttonhole . Wikipedia Hand and machine buttonholes including bound and keyhole forms.
  3. Sewing . Wikipedia Hand and machine techniques for joining and finishing textile edges.
  4. File:The New Dressmaker, 1921, Ill. No. 0227.png . Wikimedia Commons Correct position for making hand-worked buttonholes; public domain.

Written by MsDressly Editorial

September 28, 2026