How to make perfect loops: 8 tricks and tips

The presence of a fur coat in the wardrobe determines the status of a woman, makes her elegant, stylish, and self-confident. However, you can improve the appearance of the product, giving it even more sophistication and individuality. To do this, it’s enough just to alter the buttons on a fur coat,” choosing a more worthy option, fortunately today there is a large choice.

What types of buttons are there for fur coats?

It should be noted that a fur coat is decorated with a small number of decorative elements, since this thing is self-sufficient in itself. Follow the rule: the more expensive the fur coat, the more elegant the buttons should be. There are two general types of products on the market:

• restrained and laconic. They are selected to match the tone of the fur product, and they only unobtrusively emphasize the woman’s style;
• catchy and bright. Decorative elements on such buttons serve as decoration for a fur coat. This unique version of decor is selected for the product with special care, trying not to overdo it and not disturb the harmony of the outfit.

Designers develop one-piece, exclusive models of buttons, make them from precious metals, and decorate them with rhinestones and stones. In production, products are made from an alloy of brass and zinc, then coated with silver, gold or platinum

The variety of buttons is amazing. They are distinguished by their shape, which can be round, oval, elongated, in the form of flowers or other elements. By the types of materials from which they are made. For example, wooden or glass, metal alloys and sprayed, plastic and fabric. They are complemented with rhinestones and precious stones. You can also make a button yourself, but for this you need to have a certain talent and taste in order to realize your idea.

Whatever option you choose, remember, if you sew on beautiful buttons for a fur coat, they will be relevant and help create an unforgettable image, combining the design of a handbag or fasteners on boots into a single whole. They can breathe life-giving air into a fur coat model that has served for more than one season.

Buttons for fur coats: varieties and features

Buttons on mink coats most often have a decorative function, since inconspicuous hooks sewn on the reverse side are used as fasteners. They can be located near the collar and hood, on the sleeves. There are different types of buttons for fur coats:

• in shape - elongated, round, oval, square and fancy;
• according to the material of manufacture - wooden, covered with leather or fabric, plastic, glass, metal, etc.;
• according to the method of sewing onto the product - with 2 or 4 holes, with a leg or a spike;
• Based on the presence or absence of design , models decorated with precious and semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals, rhinestones, and sputtering are distinguished.

When choosing a button to decorate a mink coat, you need to focus not only on the appearance of the accessory, but also on whether it matches the fur. So, for example, blue or green items will look ridiculous on a shiny brown mink.

Types of buttonholes

Buttonholes are sewn using straight or zigzag stitches. Any machine can generally make four types of buttonholes. Higher-end machines offer more choice in terms of functionality and aesthetics of hinges.

Rectangular loop

The rectangular buttonhole can be made on any machine. This is a standard buttonhole designed for medium-thick fabrics. The wide zigzag at the ends gives it a rectangular shape.

Rectangular loop

Linen loop

Since the clothes loop is designed for thin, very thin and delicate fabrics, it differs from the previous one in that one end is rounded. On your machine, this loop may have both ends rounded. This type of loop is sewn with a tighter zigzag than a rectangular one, and is less suitable for thick fabrics: the machine may slip on them and make stitches in place.

Linen loop

For such loops, take thin threads and thin needles: a universal needle of size 60 or 70, or a microtex needle of size 70.

Embroidery threads for the thinnest fabrics

For thin and very thin fabrics, use special embroidery threads as the bobbin thread: they are very delicate and well suited for sewing buttonholes.

Loop with eye

The loop is characterized by the presence of an eye at one of the ends. Such keyhole-shaped loops are used for medium and thick fabrics, as well as for large buttons, especially on jackets and coats. Using threads for stitching, they can be done on the thickest fabrics, for example, wool. Place these loops horizontally so that the button stem is inside the eye.

Loop with eye

Elastic loop

The elastic loop is useful for stretchable materials and knits. The zigzag stitch follows the stretch of the fabric. To tighten the loop, you can use twisted threads.

Elastic loop

Topstitched buttonhole

This loop is a rectangle made with a straight stitch. Use this technique for buttonholes with a raw cut, for example on natural and artificial leather, treated and coated fabrics, felt, etc.

Topstitched buttonhole

Its purpose is to strengthen and decorate the hole in the material. As with any other buttonhole, baste first and then cut the hole using a ripper or razor blade. To highlight the buttonhole, use thread in a contrasting color.

How to sew a button to a mink coat?

To sew an element to a fur coat of any fur yourself, you need to stock up on the materials necessary for the work:

• threads to match the fur, a long needle;
• decorative and lining (flat, small) button;
• with a match.

Process step by step:

1. The place where the button will be sewn must be cleared of any remaining threads, if any.
2. A thread folded in half is threaded through the needle and a knot is tied.
3. The wrong side of the button is applied to the inside, through its hole a needle and thread are brought out to the front side of the fur coat.
4. A decorative element is applied to the wrong side, under which a match is placed.
5. The thread and needle are brought out to the wrong side, making a loop over the match. The action is repeated 10 to 15 times.
6. Once again, when the thread and needle are on the front side, the match is removed and the thread is wrapped around the “leg” formed from the loop about 5 times. Thanks to this, a leg is formed that will prevent the fur from being wrinkled while using the decorative element.
7. Secure the structure from the wrong side by pulling the needle through the hole and tightly tightening the loop.

While working, you need to make sure that no fur fibers get under the seam and straighten them as necessary. The direction of the pile must also be taken into account, since the fur may become wrinkled when attaching the fasteners.

Making a buttonhole manually

To sew a buttonhole manually, you only need to have the sewing machine perform a zigzag stitch. Making a buttonhole in manual mode is performed by such machine models as the Chaika sewing machine, Podolsk 142, Veritas 8014 sewing machine and some modern economy class machines costing less than 5,000 rubles.

To make a buttonhole, use a regular zigzag foot. Moreover, such machines do not have another special foot for the buttonhole. Making buttonholes by hand on a sewing machine is not very convenient, but if you have no other choice, you can try. Be sure to mark the loop with chalk or baste this section of fabric with contrasting threads.

What mistakes should you avoid?

When starting to work on decorating a fur coat with a new fastener or altering an old one, it is important to choose the right needle. Too thick will damage the inside of the mink; too thin will not be able to penetrate it.

Also, don’t forget about the back button. Its presence will help avoid unnecessary stress on the fur. This is especially true for elements that are sewn on for permanent use. If the fastener is not strengthened from the inside out, it will eventually be torn out “with meat”.

If several buttons are altered at once during the work process, you need to do several fittings. Those who do not do this risk starting the work all over again, since without control, the fasteners can move and change their location under the weight of the fur.

If the inside is cracked on the reverse side, you can use a small piece of genuine leather as a sealant. Before starting work, it is laid between the core and the back button.

In order not to spoil the appearance of such an expensive and presentable fur product as a mink coat, buttons and fasteners for it must be selected with special care. It is better to avoid too bulky and elaborate designs, as they will not only worsen the appearance, but also spoil the fur around it.

Even the highest quality and most expensive things can eventually become unusable, completely or partially, and they often do this at the most inopportune moment. So, when trying to hang a mink coat on a hanger, its owner may find that the loop is completely torn (photo).

Features of manual buttonhole sewing

Adjustment of the stitch width and length of the zigzag stitch is done manually. Set the stitch length in the range from 0.3 to 1 mm, select the thread tension on a prototype, but usually from 1 to 5, that is, less than half. Install a zigzag foot on the machine, as already mentioned, with a wide narrow slot. Set the adjustment knob to the following position. To sew the sides of the buttonhole: stitch width - 0.2 cm.

Cross bartack: maximum width - 0.5 cm. When performing cross bartack, do not forget to set the stitch frequency to “0”.

How to sew a loop

Replacing a loop on a fur coat yourself is quite simple. To do this, you just need to know how to handle a needle and have on hand:

• thimble;
• scissors;
• silk cord;
• needles and threads;
• pins.

If there were no loops on the clothes initially, they can be made. It is important to remember that the loop must be strong and tight enough to support the weight of a heavy fur coat. If made well, it can last for more than one season.

Hooks for fur coats

You can alter the loops on a fur coat by following the step-by-step instructions:

1. To make loops on a fur coat, you need to cut a piece from a cord 3-4 cm long. To avoid thread shedding during the process, the cut piece is burned on both sides with a match or lighter.
2. On a fur product, they find a fold line connecting the neckline and collar, where a loop that had become unusable was previously sewn. If it was not there before, find the center of the collar and attach a pin to the fabric under it.
3. After a suitable place has been selected, sew on a loop. The distance between the edges of the cord should be at least two centimeters so that a finger does not fit freely under it.
4. You can hide the pieces of cord by opening the seam connecting the lining and collar.
5. You need to sew the loop to the collar, capturing the inner part. If the lace is attached only to the lining, then it will not withstand the weight of a heavy fur product, it will tear very quickly and you will have to contact the studio for cosmetic repairs.
6. In order not to spoil the fur, you should try to avoid through stitches.

Advice! To be absolutely sure that the loop on the fur coat will not break at the most inopportune moment, you can use a small piece of metal chain instead of a silk cord. Sew it on, just like the cord, lightly grabbing the skin by the links, leaving 2-3 cm of distance between them (photo).

Replacing hooks in a fur coat in a studio in Moscow

• Primastyle
• Elektrodnaya street, 2с12, 3rd entrance, 3rd floor
• +7

What types of fastenings are there?

Making or altering a loop on a fur coat turned out to be very simple. In order to correct the situation with a damaged fastener, you need to find out what the fastenings on a fur coat can be like:

1. Buttons. The simplest and most common way to fasten any clothing is with a button threaded into a buttonhole. They are attached to the right, outside or inside the product. Decorative buttons can be used as decoration. On mink coats, only buttons are used as fastening, since another type of fastener can ruin the delicate fur.
2. Hooks. Durable and reliable hooks, if they are made of metal, almost never break. Plastic products are not particularly durable and can break after 2-3 months of constant opening and closing. The advantage of hooks is their invisibility, so they always match the color of the fur coat.
3. Rivets. Used as an additional means of fastening at the top and bottom of outerwear. The rivets hold the edges of the fur coat well, preventing the hem from falling open due to strong winds and when walking. It is unlikely that you will be able to sew a rivet on your own without special skills.
4. Velcro. An unreliable fastener option that is extremely rarely used when sewing such expensive wardrobe items as a fur coat. However, if there are still Velcro on the fur coat, replacing them if they fail is very simple.

Preparation for repair

If the hook on a fur coat is broken, it needs to be repaired or replaced with a new one. This procedure does not require any special skills or knowledge, and the only requirement is to be able to sew so that the work is done accurately and accurately.

First of all, you need to prepare the tools that will be used:

• A piece of elastic fabric.
• Small hooks - small ones can come unfastened, but large ones look ugly.
• Needle with thread. It is best to buy a triangular needle, which is used for working with leather products.
• Stationery or furrier's knife. If you don't have them, you can use nail scissors.

General recommendations:

• The needle should be thin and long.
• You need to buy a thick thread, if you can’t find one, you can use a regular one, folding it in half or four.
• Threads and hooks must match in color so that they are practically invisible in appearance.
• If you buy new hooks, you need to check the mechanism for fastening them. It should not be tight or complicated, because in winter your fingers freeze and a heavy mechanism will not be appropriate.
• Upon completion of the repair work, take care of the pile by restoring its position with a brush.

Important! Before restoring matted fur, it must be moistened with a solution of warm water and glycerin.

How to replace a button

As already mentioned, buttons are the most common fastenings on fur clothing. If a button comes off or there is a need for additional fastening of the sides of a fur coat, you need to know how to sew it on correctly.

For work you will need the following items:

• gypsy needle;
• matches;
• scissors;
• thick thread;
• decorative button for attaching to the front of the product;
• small button for fastening on the inside.

Buttons for fur coats

Important! An additional button is needed to remove the load from mink or other skins. Its presence will prevent ruptures and damage to the fur at the attachment point.

Step by step process:

• the attachment point of the torn button is cleaned of thread residues;
• a thread folded in half is attached to the surface of the fur coat;
• a small button is applied to the wrong side and the thread is pulled through it to the front side;
• a decorative button is applied to the fur and a needle and thread are passed through it;
• a match is placed under the outer button and, making a loop over it, the thread is brought to the wrong side (this is necessary so that the sewn button does not wrinkle the fur in the future);
• this action is repeated at least 10 times;
• the match is pulled out;
• the thread is wrapped around the resulting stem at least 5 times;
• fasten the thread from the inside out and cut it.

Button sewn to a fur coat

Important! During the work process, it is necessary to straighten the fibers caught under the thread. It is necessary to take into account the direction of the pile, which should not break when attaching a new button.

A button on a leg is attached in the same way as a flat one. The only nuance that needs to be taken into account is the need to ensure free movement of the element along the fur. To do this, the threads located under the leg are wrapped several times before being secured.

A fur coat, by definition, cannot be cheap, but, unfortunately, it can look quite good.

Repairing a hook on a fur coat without replacing it

Reasons why hooks may not hold a fur item in the pile:

• Incorrect hook size. If the fittings are small, they will not hold the fur product well and need to be completely replaced.
• The threads are partially torn. In this case, it is enough to alter the hook by making additional stitches or re-sewing the hook.
• The hooks became loose over time. If the mechanism itself is broken, then you need to squeeze it with pliers. This must be done carefully, otherwise the part will break and will need to be replaced.

How to choose a fur coat: tips

What to look for when buying a fur coat? We have selected 8 signs of a fur coat that you should not wear!

Large mother of pearl button

In the 90s, there wasn’t much to choose from when choosing a fur coat - then the “flyaway” fur coat with a single huge mother-of-pearl button in the collar area was very popular. But two decades have passed since then - today this model looks out of date and old-fashioned, so when choosing a fur coat, look for “the same one, but without mother-of-pearl buttons.”

First aid: how to hide the consequences of stormy holidays with makeup

Combination of different furs

A fur coat sewn from pieces of different fur (especially if the main part and, for example, the sleeves and collar are different) looks very strange - as if it had been damaged in a dry cleaner, and you decided to “creatively” and sewed on sleeves from another fur product.

Decor

How to choose the right fur coat? A fur coat is an expensive thing, so self-sufficient that it doesn’t need excessive decoration. Various metallic leather inserts, “decorations” and “precious stones” spoil the beautiful fur and instantly cheapen the look.

Bad cut

A fur coat that resembles a Cossack burka is the mistake that your wardrobe needs least of all. You don't want your fur to resemble a grizzly bear on the hunt, do you?

Laces sticking out of the hood

... And not only from the hood, as we recently found out using the example of Russian stars. We still ask ourselves the sacramental question - why does a fur coat have laces in the hood at all? This is not a down jacket!

"Body parts"

Heads, paws and other parts of unfortunate animals left as a “decorative” element on a fur coat can only cause horror. We are not cave people to wear something like a skin instead of a fur coat!

Size matters

A huge floor-length fur coat, which is especially “comfortable” in the subway (and equally “comfortable” for you and those around you), is not the most practical purchase. If you travel by car, then the question of the urgency of this thing becomes even more acute.

Choosing fasteners for a fur coat

The following are used as a fastener for a fur coat:

• Hooks with rings. Their system comes in three types: with a movable and a fixed or fastened element.

Important! The product can be made of plastic or metal. Naturally, metal has higher strength, so it is better to give preference to it. Plastic fittings are relevant only if the fasteners are sewn to a fur vest or short fur coat.

• Decorative fasteners in the form of hooks and clips. Decorative elements are additional decoration; most often they are used for short-pile fur products.
• Buttons.

Recommendations:

• If you use public transport to move around the city, it is better to buy fastening hooks that will not come undone under the pressure of other passengers.
• The most popular option is a metal hook with a movable tongue, as it has an attractive appearance and good reliability. They are usually used for short and long fur coats; the length of the pile can be any.
• When using a decorative hook, it is important not to overdo it, because there should only be one. It is better to place such a hook at the top and use it as a brooch or reinforcement for the hood.

On a note! You can improve the appearance of a plain fur item by using a shiny accessory with stones. The size of the decoration can be any, the main thing is to match the style of the fur coat or fur vest.

Video master classes

https://youtu.be/rERT-6OS8YAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb—4uah8do
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If you can’t do the procedure yourself, you can contact a fur studio.

The material showed that sewing hooks to a fur coat is not at all difficult. You don't need any special skills to fix fasteners. It is enough to know how to handle a needle and thread, then the quality of the repair will be no worse than in the studio. Mink, in principle, like any fur coat, is not cheap and is purchased for a long time. In order for a fur coat to last longer and maintain its original appearance, you need to take care of it and make repairs on time. The exception is cases when the product is fairly worn out or has gone out of fashion. Then it is better to think about buying a new thing.