Finished velvet jacket

The button have a largish, longish, metal shank, and a definite "up" and "down" orientation. They are not sewn to the outside of the jacket. The shank is forced through a hole created with an awl in the velvet, haircanvas, and lining (for both the fronts and the sleeves). Then the ribbon goes through the shank, which keeps the "right" side of the button aligned properly.

These jackets have to be dry cleaned, and the buttons do not tolerate that process well, so the ribbon is pulled out and the buttons removed when the jacket is sent for cleaning.

Thanks! I am rethinking making any of these for sale, I don't think I can do it profitably. For now, I'll just stick to making them for "people who share my DNA". ;-)

Beverly

The button have a largish, longish, metal shank, and a definite "up" and "down" orientation. They are not sewn to the outside of the jacket. The shank is forced through a hole created with an awl in the velvet, haircanvas, and lining (for both the fronts and the sleeves). Then the ribbon goes through the shank, which keeps the "right" side of the button aligned properly.

These jackets have to be dry cleaned, and the buttons do not tolerate that process well, so the ribbon is pulled out and the buttons removed when the jacket is sent for cleaning.

Thanks! I am rethinking making any of these for sale, I don't think I can do it profitably. For now, I'll just stick to making them for "people who share my DNA". ;-)

Beverly

Don't even think about sewing products for kids under 12 until the CPSIA mess gets ironed out. You can't even *give* stuff away legally for kids, it appears. Fines of $100K.

Aha! Thanks for the explanation - and kudo's to you for working out how to deal with the buttons.

Sarah (wishing I had time to sew - oh well - maybe when DS is weaned!)

I didn't invent this method, I've inspected other jackets and that's how they were done. Sometimes the ribbon (or narrow elastic) is secured top and bottom only, however, I took several small hand stitches into the lining on each side of each shank, in addition to sewing the top and bottom securely.

I well remember trying to squeeze cutting out and sewing into the brief periods when my DDs were napping or after they went to bed at night. Missing sewing is hard, but what you are doing now is so rewarding!

Beverly

Thanks, I'll certainly keep that in mind. Mostly the younger girls wear hand-me-down outfits (although someone had to make them originally). Plus no one could afford my rates for a jacket which might be outgrown in a matter of months. ;-}

Beverly