How to make a rouleau button loop (2024)

January 06, 2018

Tools:

• A loop turner is an ideal tool for this operation.
• If you don't have a loop turner, no sweat. You can simply use a large sewing needle with strong thread.

Note: The Jackie pattern comes with a loop pattern piece that is 1" x 7" (2.5 cm x 17.8 cm) and has a 1/4" (6 mm) seam allowance. If you are making your loops for another project, the length will be determined by how many loops you need.

For a loop that has1/4" (6 mm) seam allowance on either end, and that will fit a 3/8” (1 cm) button, I allow for each loop length to be 2" (5 cm) long. Therefore for three button loops, you will need a 6"(15.3 cm) length. I also add an extra 1" (2.5 cm) to the piece's length so that I can trim off the ends if they turn out sloppy during sewing or in the process of turning the loop.

If you decide to make woven button loops, you can use the Button Loop pattern piece to cut out your fabric on a bias grainline. Bias will allow your loop to curve nicely around your button.

For these instructions, I’ll be using knit fabric, but the steps are the same with woven. I’ll show you my woven loops at the end.

Bias woven button loop piece

Step 1: Sew the loop piece

Pin the loop piece widthwise, with right sides together.

For knit loops, use a serger or a stretch stitch on a regular sewing machine. If you are using a serger, leave a tail of thread at the beginning. When you reach the end, don't worry if you swerve off before you reach the edge to save your little fingers.

For the woven fabric, use a straight stitch machine and sew the loop at 1/4" seam allowance.

Knit

Woven

Step 2: Turn out the loop

First, let’s try the loop turner.

Insert the turning tool into the loop tunnel. If you have serged the loop piece, you can grab hold of the serger threads.

Otherwise, grab hold of the fabric by inserting the latch through the weave of the fabric.

Begin to pull the turning tool out through the end of the loop. At the end where the tool is grabbing the fabric, you must make sure that the fabric begins to roll inward, towards the inside of the loop.

Once it has turned in at the end, you can continue to pull the turning tool out, slowly, which will turn the whole loop.

Now, let’s try that with a needle and thread.

Tie a good solid knot around the edge of the fabric at one end of the loop.

Insert the eye of the needle into the loop tunnel. Begin to feed the needle along the tunnel and out through the other end.

Gently pull on the needle, and as you do, the end where you tied the knot should begin to roll into the tunnel slowly. Once it does, Gently pull on the thread, turning the loop out.

Step 3: Prepare the finished button loops

Press the turned out loop cord.

Trim the ends off if they are untidy.

Cut the loop pieces into equal sections. For Jackie, each piece is 2” (5 cm).

Form each loop to prepare for sewing them in place.

Sew the loops in position at a scant ¼” (6 mm) seam allowance. I like to sew the loops in a chain and separate them afterward.

Give your finished loops a little press, and they’re ready to sew into the garment.

Here are my woven loops, which I would choose to use if my knit fabric was too bulky for little loops.

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