Friday, January 8, 2010

buttonhole test



Test a la chanel hand buttonhole


Right side view of the test buttonhole


Reverse side of the buttonhole

I used Claire Shaeffer's technique explained in Couture Sewing Technique (page 91) to make this test hand buttonhole.
Viewed from the outside it is an embroidered buttonhole with a bar and fan. On the underling side it is a bound buttonhole.
This method is time consuming, but it is meant to be nice to look at from both sides.
What I like best about the result is that despite the fabric it did not fray at all and I am very pleased about that. To avoid fraying I applied beewax on the edges before overcasting.
What I am not pleased with is the thread I used (cotton quilting thread) I know I should have used silk buttonhole twist and what is called gimp for the strand but unfortunately these are impossible to find where I live. I've found a british online store and I'll probably pass an order with them.

I intend to use these buttonholes for the sleeves vents which are meant to be functional. That's another Chanel traits.

parting shot:
two closeup shots of a vintage Chanel Jacket


I found them here. I suppose they are David Page Coffin's drawn from Behind the Seams The Claire Shaeffer Collection: Part 1 CHANEL


5 comments:

  1. Gorgeous buttonholes! I love the close up of the boucle fabric. It is truly beautiful!

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  2. What spectacular buttonholes. Must try these one of these days. ANd that fabric is to die for, oooh la la.

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  3. Beautiful job, your jacket is going to be masterpiece.

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  4. Oh to have the patience for such gorgeous buttonholes! I'm green, I tell ya, vivid, livid, lurid, putrid green with envy. Coco herself is swooning.

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  5. Thanks to all of you ladies for your nice comments. In the mean time I've finally found some silk buttonhole twist online but oh boy that was not easy. My buttonhole should normally look the way I wanted them to

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