A buttonhole cutter is a device used to cut holes into fabric to make buttonholes and eyelets. Read more about how to use a buttonhole cutter here.
Hey y’all, today we’re going to take a look at how to use a buttonhole cutter. This type of chisel is used to cut buttonholes and eyelets. I’ll share how it works, and my thoughts about whether this is a nice tool to have in your sewing room. This is part of my series on some more unusual notions you can get for sewing; you can see more notions and whether I think they’re worth buying here.
Buttonhole cutters have a blade that can cut more precisely between the buttonhole stitching lines. This can be more precise than other methods to open buttonholes like using scissors or seam rippers. Both of those tools run the risk of cutting through the stitching at the end of the buttonhole. That’s not a concern with this tool.
Choosing A Buttonhole Cutter
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There are a couple of different buttonhole chisel options to buy. This is the buttonhole cutter set (affiliate link) I have that is shown in this post. I use it with this mallet (affiliate link) that I keep in my sewing room. Side note: the mallet has a lot more uses than just with these cutters. I also use it to help flatten thick seams before stitching, to set buttons like these jeans buttons, to set rivets, to set eyelets in fabric, and more.
When choosing which set to purchase, I liked that this one had the mini cutting board with it and that it included bother a 12mm (1/2 inch) chisel and an eyelet tool. You can combine the two for a keyhole shaped cutout. I liked the narrower chisel width because you can always cut more than once down a longer buttonhole, but you can’t cut any holes smaller than the blade width.
I will say that as I’ve used it more, the little cutting board has split right along the wood grain. So know that is a possibility. Also though, you don’t need to have this piece. You can use a regular kitchen cutting board or a thicker rotary cutting mat. However, you do need to use something under the fabric to protect your work surface; the chisel will dent or scratch your table otherwise.
Making A Buttonhole or Eyelet
The video below and on YouTube here shows a demonstration of how to use a buttonhole cutter, and how to combine it with the eyelet tool for a keyhole buttonhole shape.
Basically you carefully place the chisel blade in between the threads of your stitched buttonhole, then hit the handle with the mallet. This method creates very clean cuts inside your buttonholes.
Do You Need a Buttonhole Chisel?
Using a buttonhole cutter knife means you don’t run the risk of cutting through your buttonholes like you can with scissors or a seam ripper. However, you can also place pins inside the thread line at the ends of the buttonhole and that will stop the sharp end of your seam ripper or scissors from cutting through. It does make the job of opening buttonholes easier. Instead of a few snips with the tips of your scissors for each buttonhole, you just do a few taps on the chisel. It’s also very hard to cut out a keyhole buttonholes or round eyelet shape in fabric with scissors while this tool makes it easy.
But do you need it? Of course not. This is a nice tool to have if you sew a lot of buttonholes. If you always choose zippers over buttons when possible you definitely don’t need this tool. Personally, I like the professional finish on thick fabrics like denim. But other methods are also completely adequate. Hopefully this post gives you the information you need to make an informed decision on whether you need to add a buttonhole cutter to your sewing room.
Doreen
I keep an old magazine to use as a board for cutting with the chisel. When it has a lot of cuts I toss it out and find another!
Susy Padfield
Now I know what that tool is! I inherited it from my Aunt and just stored it!
Penny F.P.
I think Hubs has the same mallet. I’ve been thinking I need a mallet or small hammer for the sewing room because I want to try some grommets. 🙂 I love going to the hardware store so this will be a fun reason to make a trip.
Using a pin as a snipping block is a great idea. You are FULL of great little tips! So cool!