Part 6 of my ‘Vintage Embroidery And Sewing Techniques’ series with two 1950s samplers with fabric button loops, seam finishes, and a fabric-covered belt buckle.

The first sampler is for a skirt or dress with self-fabric button loops at the side.

The button loops are set in between the outer fabric and a self-fabric strip, so both sides are pretty with invisible hand stitches. (See sampler 2 for detail pictures)

There’s a waistband at one side of the sampler. The waistband is sewn with tiny stitches by machine; the hooks are covered with bias binding.

The waistband is just attached at the top, then folded to the wrong side and pressed (the crease in the picture) – the typical waistband finish of nearly all skirts my grandmother (a dressmaker) has sewn.

The sampler shows different seam and hem finishes; all are sewn with a slip stitch or blind stitch, so that no stitches are visible on either side. There’s also a placket which is bound with bias binding with invisible hand stitches on one side.

The sampler also has a self-fabric-covered belt buckle. The belt buckle is completely covered with fabric on both sides. The fabric is joined at the back of the buckle with tiny overhanding or overcast stitches. The buckle is attached with some hand stitches.

The second sampler has button loops and imitation pearl buttons.

Here‘s a tutorial about how to make fabric button loops.

The button loops are set in between the outer fabric and a strip of fabric, as on the first sampler.

The raw edge of the fabric strip is turned under and finished with slip stitches by hand.

Some more drawings which my grandmother sketched in 1951.

Here you’ll find part 5 and part 7 of the 1950s vintage sewing techniques series.

If you’d like to see some more pictures or have a question about the samplers, please post a comment below.