Tutorial on knit buttonholes, using a Solvy sandwich

By popular request, I decided to post S. Betzina's method for preventing buttonhole stretch out on a knit jacket.

This knit jacket was very boring without buttons, but I was a bit intimidated by the task.  Found some great stone buttons at Gayfeather Fabrics, in Madison, WI that had dots ground into them.  The buttons are sitting on the jacket above, but it might be hard to see.

So, you put a bit of Solvy over the place you plan to buttonhole and underneath, making a Solvy sandwich.

Then, you make your buttonhole.

Then, gently tear away the Solvy.  

Don't worry if it doesn't all come off, as a steam iron over the buttonhole after you cut the slit will take care of leftover Solvy and any minor wobbly sides.

Wonderful buttonholes every time.  And, thanks to Gayfeathers for jazzing up my jacket.

52 degrees in Florida??

Yes, it finally got to be winter here.  How odd, as last year we had this weather in January.  I've already packed up several jackets to take back to Madison, as it's been too hot and sticky most of the winter for much other than a short sleeved tshirt.  Even Linen tunics are too hot until my bathing suit gets wet!

Nevertheless, jackets are one of my favorite things to sew.  I usually have lots of jacket weight pieces of fabric hoarded and waiting for a good jacket pattern.  Thank you so much, Marcy, for Vogue 8982.

I first made this in a bright blue polyester I ordered from Gorgeous Fabrics.  I hated the hand of the fabric when it arrived and it seemed way too thin for a jacket.  But, the pattern is sized for knits and the darts helped tame the cheesy look.  And, this fabric is perfect for travel!

Then came the dreaded buttonhole phase.  Fortunately, I've been watching Sandra Betzina and Ron Collins sewing videos.  In one, she emphasizes several times, that a Solvy sandwich (Solvy on the top and bottom of the buttonhole area) will tame most potential buttonhole disasters.  She was right, even for this largish (over 1") set of buttonholes.  And, Ron (I feel I know him virtually well enough to call him that) has an incredible Western Canada way of pronouncing "buttonholes".  These shows are some of the best tutorials I've ever seen BTW.  They are now filming and releasing episodes on each of Sandra's Today's Fit patterns, even the older ones.

This version of the jacket is in a cotton ponte from that orlando fabric store I blogged about in November.  I love the bright colors worked into the animal print and plan to wear this today.

There are separate pattern pieces in this pattern for wovens.  So, I just completed this version in a brown printed linen I found here last season at Jo Ann's.  This jacket gets packed, as I have a marvelous E. Fisher brown sundress just waiting for this fresh topper.  

Yes, Madison, it will be summer before too long!!!!

Early 'March, my favorite sewing time of the year

While it is not yet even early Spring where I live most of the year, I just love this time of year.  My birthday time, when the redbuds bloom where I grew up, in Southern Oklahoma.  Also, the time for the biggest sewing expo event of the year in Pewallup, WA.  I've only attended once, what a fabulous trip!!!

But, all the independent pattern companies and many of the Vogue pattern designers go all out with their new patterns right before the show begins.

This is Sewing Workshop's new Helix tshirt pattern.  I ordered some very fine Hugo Boss knit from them as well, as they said it was perfect for this design.  Another blog said a fabric was like sewing on jello.  Well, this wasn't quite that bad, but it wasn't much fun, either.

I do like the resulting shape which has a seam running around the body.  Will have to wait until I return to WI to wear it as Florida is pretty much a short sleeve cotton tshirt place this winter.