Faux Placket Tutorial--For those who love buttons, but not making buttonholes

I have this collection of buttons, of which I am far too proud, I'll admit.  I look at them and imagine what type of garment they will adorn one day, or if I will pass them on to one of my girls who will use them in her own sewing.  When we were in NY earlier this year we hit a few button shops.  I was at the checkout when my mom came and stood by me.  I whispered the obscene total I was just given and we both started laughing.  Her response: I love shopping with you.

I came up with this tutorial for those of you who love buttons as much as I, but don't necessarily love to make the accompanying buttonholes.  It's very simple, and I'm positive it will make you very happy.


o1  Begin with a pattern that doesn't have any gathering/pleats/darts in the center or the back.  Add twice the amount of the desired placket width.  I wanted a 1" placket, so I add 2" to the front center of my pattern, all the way down.

o2  Fold WRONG SIDES TOGETHER.  Stitch the width you desire your placket to be: I stitched 1".  This stitching line is the original FRONT CENTER.

o3  Open and press the placket in the center of your piece.  It makes it a little bit easier if you press your seam slightly to one side on the back first [just don't crease the fold on the front].

o4  Stitch down each side of the placket and get picking out those buttons!!  I did an invisible zipper on the back center seam, in case you were wondering how she gets in and out.

Clover was very uncooperative with this project.  She did not like this dress. 

Until I sewed the buttons on.

See?  Buttons are like multi-purpose magic.

She especially likes the teeny tiny ones.  You know, anything abnormally small around here is treated like royalty.

Do you see the "Oreo" button on the top right?

Buttons from clothes, ebay scores, bead shops, trim shops, Korea trip, gifts, inherited from mom and grandma, all

on one adorable girl.

If I do say so myself.