Rotating Prince Charlie Buttons

[Mark's Mom]

I'm in the final stretch of finishing the Folkwear Prince Charlie jacket and I have a question I hope someone can answer. I sewed on the first button and have found that it doesn't stay lined up; it can rotate right and left, which means the buttons will be going every which-way, not staying lined up on the straight diamond placement. Has anyone found a cure for this? I am using the Three Feathers shank-type buttons.

[davidlpope]

Most that I have seen are attached so that the button shank sticks through a small "buttonhole" in the outer fabric and is then secured by means of a small washer and cotter pin assembly inside the jacket. I don't have access to my PC just now, but I'll look when I get home.

Best of luck,

David

[Mark's Mom]

Thank you David. I guess I could sew eyelettes where the buttons go and then find some cotter pins. Months ago I tried finding cotter pins at the sewing store for this purpose, but they didn't carry them. Even new buttons now come with little fake plastic "cotter pins" attaching them to the card. Three Feathers attaches the buttons to the cards with a pipe cleaner. Maybe I should just look at a hardware store for some small cotter pins. I have read on How To that I should be sewing on an under button on the inside. I happen to have a bag of black four-hole buttons I got at a thrift shop years ago. I may try that first before making holes in the jacket.

[Father Bill]

I do a lot of my own sewing, especially for simple things like buttons, and with the single shank round loop buttons, (I assume you're using something similar) I can get them to line up and stay put fairly well by sewing not just at the bottom of the loop, but well out to the sides as well, sort of like a guy-line on a temporary flagpole if I'm being clear. (I hope "sew".)

[Zardoz]

Thank you David. I guess I could sew eyelettes where the buttons go and then find some cotter pins. Months ago I tried finding cotter pins at the sewing store for this purpose, but they didn't carry them. Even new buttons now come with little fake plastic "cotter pins" attaching them to the card. Three Feathers attaches the buttons to the cards with a pipe cleaner. Maybe I should just look at a hardware store for some small cotter pins. I have read on How To that I should be sewing on an under button on the inside. I happen to have a bag of black four-hole buttons I got at a thrift shop years ago. I may try that first before making holes in the jacket.

I get small cotter pins and thin plastic washers to back them up, at the hardware store. I don't have photos, but basically it's; Button /jacket shell/ washer /cotter...

[piperdbh]

I happen to have a bag of black four-hole buttons I got at a thrift shop years ago. I may try that first before making holes in the jacket.

I'd try that first. That's probably the simplest fix.

[sydnie7]

Here's a source I found for button cotter pins:

Highland Express calls them "button bolts."

Not really sure that cotter pins would stop them from rotating. They are more about being able to remove buttons prior to dry-cleaning, or swap button styles for different situations. I think Father Bill's suggestion should work to stop or inhibit rotation.

[Mark's Mom]

I really appreciate all the advice. I have sewed a few on using the four-hole back buttons and it has helped. By using this and the advice of Father Bill, sewing through the back button in a way to have the thread act as guy wires, this has helped to line them up much better. Thanks so much!

[chrisupyonder]

Here's how mine are fixed...



They can rotate but are a very tight fit so don't with normal use.

The lining then covers the rings.

Chris.

[Pleater]

The slot washers and rings are called batchelor's buttons - as they require no sewing.

I used to have them on my lab coats.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: