How To Buttonhole Bar Stitch For Beginners? Craft Bold, Beautiful Borders

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My grandma visited me 2 days ago. She bought some buttonhole stitch embroidery with her, but one of her embroidery looks like a bundle of bugs on the cloth from a distance. 😐 I was like, what is that? She said,

‘It is a buttonhole bar stitch. It looks like a bug from a distance, but it is just wrapped thread that makes a detached effect.’ That sounds interesting, so I asked her to teach me how.

Buttonhole Bar

To do the Buttonhole Bar Stitch, make a row of tight, closely spaced buttonhole stitches across a small fabric bar to create a sturdy, decorative accent.

Her small definition isn’t enough for me, of course, 😏 so I decided to do Buttonhole bar stitch embroidery and share my experience with you.

Main points:

  1. The bar buttonhole stitch looks like a thick rise line of thread.
  2. There are 3 types of bar buttonhole stitch.
  3. It is mainly used for embroidery.
Buttonhole Bar Stitch

Buttonhole Bar Stitch Definition

The Buttonhole Bar Stitch is created by laying down a set of parallel (foundation stitches) and then covering them with closely packed buttonhole stitches, resulting in a small, raised “bar.”

Buttonhole Bar Stitch Definition

What does buttonhole bar stitch look like?

Well, it looks like a thick, raised line or bridge of stitches across the fabric. Thanks to the buttonhole stitch technique, the stitch is often compact and firm, with small loops along one edge. It adds a subtle, textured line that’s both functional and decorative.

If you are unsure, you can look at some buttonhole stitch images. It will clear up your doubts.

What Is Buttonhole Bar Stitch Used For?

This stitch looks like a bug, so you must think it is for fun purposes.

But it’s not true. It is embroidery stitches. There are a lot of places where you can use bar buttonhole stitch. Such as-

  1. Reinforcing Buttonholes
  2. Creating Looped Buttonholes
  3. Adding Locker Loops
  4. Decorative Elements
  5. Bridging Small Gaps in Cutwork
What Is Buttonhole Bar Stitch Used For

How To Do A Buttonhole Bar Stitch By Hand?

Follow 3 steps to do buttonhole bar stitch-

How To Do A Buttonhole Bar Stitch By Hand
  1. Make 1 Straight Stitch
  2. Push The Needle In From The Starting Point Of The Straight Stitch
  3. Pass Your Needle Under The Layer Of Threads

Make 1 Straight Stitch

To make the bar, you need a straight stitch. Just bring your needle up through the fabric at the spot where you want your stitch to begin. Then, decide how long you want your stitch to be. I’m going for 1 inch. That’s the idea type for any kind of buttonhole stitch.

Now, insert your needle back down through the fabric at that endpoint. Gently pull the thread through, but don’t pull it too tight like a tailor buttonhole stitch. It needs to be loose to create the bar effect.  This stitch will serve as the foundation of the bar buttonhole stitch, so you need a strong and durable thread.

Make 1 Straight Stitch

In that case, I love using a buttonhole twist that fits perfectly. Its 2 times diameter makes it perfect for holding the bar.

buttonhole twist

Give 2 or 3 more stitches to strengthen the base. If you are unsure about the strength, you can make more stitches.

Push The Needle In From The Starting Point Of The Straight Stitch

Now, take a second needle threaded with a different color. Position it at the same starting point as your original stitch.

Push The Needle In From The Starting Point Of The Straight Stitch

Gently push this second needle up from the back so it appears through the exact moment of your first stitch. Keep the stitch with movement right.

As you pull the second thread through, guide it until it lies flat and secure, effectively “locking” it in place alongside the original stitch.

Pass Your Needle Under The Layer Of Threads

Pass your needle under the thread layer, ensuring it sits snugly below them.

Now, loop your working thread under the needle, peeking out on the other side. 

Gently pull the needle through to tighten the stitch, creating a neat little knot that secures everything in place.

Continue creating the knot until you reach the end and form the desired bar.

Pass Your Needle Under The Layer Of Threads

Not clear yet? Here is the embroidery stitch lessons on bar buttonhole stitch

3 Other Types Of Buttonhole Bar Stitch Patterns

You know, I don’t like to just stick to the basics with embroidery lessons. I like to dig out stitches other types or ways to stitch them.

3 Other Types Of Buttonhole Bar Stitch Patterns

Like that, I even found 3 other ways to do buttonhole bar stitches. Such as:

  1. Twisted Buttonhole Bar Stitch
  2. Detached Buttonhole Bars Stitch
  3. Reversed Buttonhole Bar Stitch 

Detached Buttonhole Bars Stitch

Detached buttonhole bars are a floating version of a buttonhole stitch. Instead of stitching directly onto the fabric, you create the bar by stitching over a group of textured threads that “float” above the fabric surface, resulting in a small, raised bar.

  1. Insert the Pin: Place a pin into the fabric and bring the thread beside it.
  2. Wrap the Thread: Wrap the green thread around the top of the pin once, then take the needle back down through the same hole.
  3. Create the Bar: Bring the needle close to the starting point and repeat the wrapping process 2 or 3 times to form the detached buttonhole stitch.
Detached Buttonhole Bars Stitch
  1. Change Threads: Cast off the green thread and switch to an orange thread. Bring the orange thread up at the same starting point.
  2. Start Buttonhole Stitches: Work a buttonhole stitch just below the tip of the green thread bar.
  3. Continue Stitches: Continue forming buttonhole stitches toward the end of the detached bar. Give even spacing.
  4. Secure the Thread: At the end of the bar, take the thread through to the back of the fabric and secure it with a knot.
  5. Finish: Remove the pin and cut through the loop at the top of the green thread to shape.

Reversed Buttonhole Bar Stitch

The Reversed Buttonhole Bar is a type of buttonhole bar stitch that is worked in the opposite direction.

Instead of working from one bar end to the other, you work the buttonhole stitches in reverse. Here is how it needs to be done-

Reversed Buttonhole Bar Stitch
  1. Turn your work so the base of the buttonhole bar is at the top.
  2. Begin working from right to left. Bring the needle out on the right side of the first buttonhole ladder.
  3. Tuck the needle under the bar and wrap the thread under the needle, just as you would in a standard buttonhole stitch.
  1. Pull the needle through, so the thread forms a loop around the bar. This will create a dimensional stitch.
  2. Move to the next bar, creating the second loop in the same way as the first.
  3. Continue making loops along the entire length of the bar until you reach the end.

Twisted Buttonhole Bar Stitch

The Twisted Buttonhole Bar Stitch is a buttonhole bar stitch that is subtle but has a twist to each stitch. It looks like some kind of rope from the distance. It is mostly used in embroidery where you need rope or plant root-like things.

Here is how I make Twisted Buttonhole Bar Stitch-

  1. Create the Foundation: Start by laying down a few straight stitches across the area where you want the bar, forming a strong foundation. This will be the base you work over.
  2. Begin the Twist: Bring your needle up from the back at one end of the foundation stitches with a row of buttonhole stitch.
  3. Loop the Thread: Insert the needle under the foundation stitches from one side, but before pulling it all the way through, give the thread a slight twist. This twist adds texture to the stitch as it wraps around the bar.
Twisted Buttonhole Bar Stitch
  1. Form the Buttonhole Stitch: Pull the thread through, and as you do, wrap the thread under the needle tip to form a buttonhole knot over the twisted thread. This creates a textured braid-like stitch.
  2. Continue Twisting and Stitching: Move along the foundation, repeating the twist-and-stitch motion. Keep your twists consistent to create an even, rope-like texture across the bar.
  3. Secure the End: When you reach the other end, secure the thread with a small knot on the back of the fabric.

Buttonhole Bar Stitch Pdf

Hard to keep tack on? Then download this PDF for later

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Buttonhole Bar Stitch typically used?

You’ll see it in tailored garments (like coats and jackets) to finish buttonholes. It’s also used in embroidery for outlining or decorative borders.

Can A Beginner Learn The Buttonhole Bar Stitch?

Yes, beginners can learn this stitch, especially if they’re comfortable with the basic buttonhole stitch. It might take a bit of practice to achieve even stitches, but it’s manageable.

Is the Buttonhole Bar Stitch the same as the Buttonhole Stitch?

Not exactly. The Buttonhole Bar Stitch is a variation where you work the buttonhole stitch over a few horizontal stitches, creating a reinforced bar. The Buttonhole Stitch itself is often used to outline buttonholes or create edging on its own.

Are There Any Alternatives To The Buttonhole Bar Stitch?

Yes, a small bar tack (a few densely packed stitches) can also work for reinforcement. The Double Buttonhole Stitch or Blanket Stitch can be used as variations for decorative purposes.

Summary

That’s all for the buttonhole bar stitch. Now tell me, which is your favorite bar buttonhole stitch type? Or have you tried the traditional one yet? Let us know your sewing journey.
If you wanna learn more about sewing, then reach out to sewinginspo.

Maisha Soumee

Maisha Soumee

Hi there! I’m Maisha Soumee, the proud torchbearer of our family’s sewing legacy and the driving force behind this website. With Grandma Manha’s teachings as my foundation, I’m honored to continue the tradition of craftsmanship and creativity. As a passionate seamstress, I’m dedicated to sharing the joy of sewing with you, our valued community.

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