Buttonhole stitches

Buttonhole or blanket stitches also catch a loop of the thread on the surface of the fabric but the principle difference is that the needle does not return to the original hole to pass back to the back of the fabric. In the classic buttonhole stitch the needle is returned to the back of the fabric at a right angle to the original start of the thread. The finished stitch in some ways resembles a letter "L" depending on the spacing of the stitches. For buttonholes the stitches are tightly packed together and for blanket edges they are more spaced out. The properties of this stitch make it ideal for preventing raveling of woven fabric. This stitch is also the basis for many forms of needle lace. Examples of Buttonhole or Blanket Stitches.

Blanket stitch
Buttonhole stitch
Closed Buttonhole stitch, the tops of the stitch touch to form triangles
Crossed Buttonhole stitch, the tops of the stitch cross
Buttonhole stitches combined with knots:
Top Knotted Buttonhole stitch
German Knotted Buttonhole stitch
Tailor's Buttonhole stitch

satish ........... 17 July