Keyhole buttonhole

A garment buttonhole with round keyhole end for large shank buttons—the keyhole buttonhole form on dress assembly, distinct from [[buttonhole|Buttonhole]] as related cousin and from [[bound-buttonhole|Bound buttonhole]] without keyhole naming.

How to recognize it

Keyhole buttonhole shows straight slit opening ending in circular keyhole cut for tailored jacket button passage.

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

Origin and history

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

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

Today keyhole buttonhole appears on keyhole buttonhole tailored jacket, blazer lapel, bespoke coat front, and round-end opening assembly in silk and wool.[1][2] Clean finish needs even stitch line.[4] When buttonhole with round keyhole end accommodating large shank button—keyhole buttonhole applies.[2]

Where it is used

Keyhole buttonhole tailored jacket, blazer lapel, bespoke coat front, and round-end opening assembly.[2]

What is worn now

Editorial styling suggestions from MsDressly—not strict rules.

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

How it differs

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

Expression and impression

Keyhole buttonhole reads durable, clean-finished, and construction-specific.

Common questions

Keyhole buttonhole vs buttonhole? Buttonhole is related cousin; keyhole buttonhole names specific form.[1]

Keyhole buttonhole vs bound-buttonhole? Bound buttonhole lacks keyhole buttonhole naming.[2]

Keyhole buttonhole modern? Yes on keyhole buttonhole tailored jacket.[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:Keyhole buttonhole.jpg . Wikimedia Commons Keyhole buttonhole with round end on jacket lapel; CC BY-SA 3.0.

Written by MsDressly Editorial

September 28, 2026