So I am quite happy with how my buttonholes are coming along. However one thing I realized is happening, is the the fabric above the hole is getting stretched out. This probably happens when I open the buttonhole to position the needle on the backside, particularly for the last dozen or so stitches. In the picture here I already tried to manipulate some of the stretch back into place as can be made out by the fold above the stitches; beforehand it can be seen as an outward curve at the top of the waistband, some of which can still be seen. Any advice other than be gentler?
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There's some advice about pressing buttonholes towards the end of this video (which would help with wool):
https://youtu.be/QNnu14TZ7Go?t=1089
I'm not proficient with any button hole technique (yet), but I was experimenting with something today that might help you.
With the thread pulled all the way through, move it to one side perpendicular to the slot and place your free thumb on top so that the remaining thread falls towards you and is under this thumb.
Push the eye of the needle through the slot, release it and bring the hand to the underside to grab the needle. Now stab-stich up, using the thread pulled to one side as a guide for your next stitch.
Draw the thread up until you feel a little tension. As you do so you'll see a loop forming under the thumb holding the thread to one side. Hook the needle under the lower part of that loop, release the thumb and pull the thread to form a pearl.
If you angle the needle back as you pull on the loop, relax your grip on the needle to allow the thread to slip between thumb and finger. You can do the whole motion with one hand using this technique.
Because we're stab stitching, the opening of the buttonhole isn't constantly being stretched. I've only started doing this today, testing the technique on samples. Pretty shoddy results so far, but that's my poor sewing. In principle, what I've outlined should yield decent results with practice.
I'm not a professional, so take it or leave it! 🙂