Buttonhole Stitch

Buttonhole Stitch is also known as

Punto festón _[ES], Point de boutonnière _[FR], Knopflochstich _[DE],  Punto ochiello _[IT], Ponto feston _[PT], Knapphålstygn _[SV].

About the Buttonhole Stitch

The Buttonhole Stitch is visually similar to the Blanket Stitch but uses a different method of sewing. Traditionally, this stitch is used to secure the edges of buttonholes as it gives a much sturdier stitch due to the knots it makes. But, over time, it came to be confused with the blanket stitch as these two stitches are used for the same purpose, that is, securing fabric edges.

How to do the Buttonhole Stitch

A Buttonhole Stitch is best done with a slightly thicker thread. I have illustrated this stitch between two horizontal parallel lines. This stitch can be done in any direction.

Fig 1: Bring the needle out through A. Now, pass the needle through B over the thread, as shown. Come out from C. Loop the remaining part of the thread behind the needle as shown.	Fig 2: Pull out the needle towards you to direct the knot towards the bottom. This creates a stitch with the knot on point B. Continue the process.
Fig 3: A finished portion of the Buttonhole Stitch would look like this. A thicker thread would have revealed the knots better.

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Related Stitches from the Blanket Stitch Family