Translation Request – Attaching a button placket

This translation was requested by Courtney, who needed help with Step 1 of dress h from this book.

Step 1 is the attachment of the button placket. I had never sewn one of these before, but I’ve always been curious to how it actually works. The instructions from the book are translated below,

click on image above for a larger picture

The main problem with the instructions is on the 3rd diagram from the left. The instructions are quite brief but it doesn’t exactly show you what to do with the triangular portion of the seam allowance cut from step 2. I used some scrap fabric to simulate the pieces above but couldn’t really figure out how to sew the bottom edge neatly or what to do with the triangular bit from the seam allowance.

So I did a search in Japanese and found this site with really clear instructions of how to make this type of button placket. Worth a look even if you are not making this dress.
http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~ange-s/lesson/lesson2.html

Note that the pattern in the tutorial is slight different with the pattern above. The tutorial is using normal cotton, so the raw edges need to be tucked in and the steps are slightly different to incorporate the folding of the raw edges. In this pattern however, it is using knit fabric, so the placket fabric can be attached without dealing with the raw edges. The top stitching is also done differently.

Nevertheless, the tutorial is really helpful in figuring out the missing steps and learning how to sew a button placket of this sort in general.

I hope this helps you Courtney! and I’m glad I found the Japanese tutorial which demystifies the whole process for me as well! Thank you!