buttonhole stitch

American  

noun

Sewing.

1. a looped stitch used to strengthen the edge of material and keep it from raveling, as around a buttonhole.

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buttonhole stitch British  

noun

1. a reinforcing looped stitch for the edge of material, such as around a buttonhole

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Etymology

Origin of buttonhole stitch

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

In the blanket stitch, feather stitch, herringbone, chain and buttonhole stitch the new thread must come out through the last stitch.

From Handicraft for Girls A Tentative Course in Needlework, Basketry, Designing, Paper and Cardboard Construction, Textile Fibers and Fabrics and Home Decoration and Care by McGlauflin, Idabelle

A large eyelet may be cut out and worked around with the buttonhole stitch.

From Handicraft for Girls A Tentative Course in Needlework, Basketry, Designing, Paper and Cardboard Construction, Textile Fibers and Fabrics and Home Decoration and Care by McGlauflin, Idabelle

The entire figure is then carried out, both solid filling and openwork, with fine stitching, the buttonhole stitch being most generally employed.

From Lace, Its Origin and History by Goldenberg, Samuel L.

The fourth example shows two lines of spaced buttonhole stitch fitting neatly the one into the other and forming a solid line.

From Embroidery and Tapestry Weaving by Christie, Grace

The netting is nine holes wide, the stitches employed are point d'esprit and point de feston, the edge is in buttonhole stitch, the netted ground is cut away outside the scallops.

From Beeton's Book of Needlework by Beeton, Mrs. (Isabella Mary)