This lesson shows two ways to repair clothing when buttons tear out together with the fabric: cover the damage with grosgrain ribbon along the button placket, or reinforce the torn spot with fusible interfacing between fabric layers, secure it with machine stitches, and sew the button back on with a shank.
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Translated
Things you will learn
This often happens when buttons are sewn without a shank and the garment is too tight.
The first method hides the damage with grosgrain ribbon along the button placket.
The same method can also be used on cuffs.
The second method is more precise: the torn area is reinforced with fusible interfacing between the fabric layers.
Sew the button on with a shank; the knot can sit on the outside in the center because the button will cover it.
Restored button placket
After the repair, the damaged areas on the placket are hidden or reinforced, and the buttons are sewn on in a way that reduces repeated tearing.
Materials and tools
Materials
Grosgrain ribbon, For the first method; choose matching ribbon or a contrasting ribbon.
Fusible interfacing, For reinforcing the torn area in the second method.
Thread, For sewing the ribbon and buttons.
Tools
Seam ripper, For carefully removing buttons and old threads.
Steam iron, For flattening the placket and bonding the interfacing.
Sewing machine, For securing stitches and sewing on the ribbon.
Needle, For sewing buttons by hand.
Preparation
Assess the damage
If the fabric is badly torn along the placket, it is easier to cover the area with ribbon. If the damage is local, reinforce it with interfacing.
Remove the buttons
Carefully cut off or unpick the buttons, remove the old threads, and trim the frayed fibers around the tear.
Method 1: cover the damage with ribbon
Use this option when you need to quickly hide damage along the button placket.
Prepare the placket
Remove the buttons, straighten the placket, and press it with steam if needed.
Sew on grosgrain ribbon
Choose matching or contrasting grosgrain ribbon and sew it along the button placket, covering the torn spots.
Sew the buttons back on
Sew the buttons back in the correct places on the reinforced placket line.
Repair cuffs if needed
If the same problem appears on the cuffs, repair them the same way.
Method 2: reinforce the tear with interfacing
This method is neater, but it requires careful work with the damaged fabric.
Clean up the tear
Use a seam ripper to remove the buttons, pull out the old threads, and carefully trim the frayed fibers.
Insert fusible interfacing
Steam the blouse placket and open the fold. Place a strip of fusible interfacing between the two fabric layers at the torn area.
Secure the fabric
Press the area to stabilize the placket line, then add a few machine stitches. They will not be visible because the button will cover them.
Sew the button on with a shank
Sew the button back in place. Leave the knot on the outside in the center, and make a shank while stitching.
The shank matters
A button shank gives the button a small gap and reduces strain on the fabric.
Finish and variations
Finish
Final check
Check that the tears are covered or reinforced, the buttons have shanks, and the placket does not pull when fastened.
Variations
Matching ribbon
Choose grosgrain ribbon in the garment color for a nearly invisible repair.
Contrasting placket
A contrasting ribbon can look like intentional decorative trim if chosen carefully.
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