Additional information for "Footprints" by Lyn Lackey, Creative Needle, May/June 2004

EMBELLISHED BUTTONHOLES Add personal charm and creativity to buttonholes with embellishments. After sewing the buttonhole, change to an open or clear embroidery foot. Select an embroidery motif from the decorative stitch menu and sew decorative pattern around the buttonhole, on either side or at each end. Sewing the motif first and then stitching the buttonhole on top is another option. Sew a sample of the chosen motif to verify size and placement of motif in relation to the buttonhole.
To create eyelash buttonholes: Fold a length of decorative cord or thread to form loops, secure to buttonhole placement line and sew buttonhole over the thread. Loops may be snipped or not depending on the look desired.
CORDED BUTTONHOLES Buttonholes stitched over cord offer an option for very heavy fabrics as well as a way to add stability to buttonholes on knit fabrics. High points of wear and stress on children’s clothes can also benefit from a corded buttonhole. The cord gives the buttonhole a more pronounced look so it is a good choice when using buttonholes as a design element or a focal point of a garment. This technique can be applied to any rectangular buttonhole. Match needles to fabric, slightly loosen needle tension and use a fine cord such as perle cotton #8, crochet cord, embroidery floss, or gimp cord. An all-purpose polyester thread usually works best for stability and strength.  The loop of cord should be placed at the end of the buttonhole that will take the most stress, usually the upper end or one nearest the edge of garment.  Some buttonhole feet are designed to hold cord during the stitching process. To position the cord, put needle down in fabric at the exact start of the buttonhole and raise the presser foot. Hook center of the cord over center toe of the foot and pull ends to the back of the machine under the foot. Cord will lay in grooves under the foot and allow foot to move freely over the stitches.
After stitching the buttonhole, pull ends of the cord to move loop into the buttonhole. For woven fabrics, pull tight enough to pucker the buttonhole slightly. Trim ends of the cord and flatten the buttonhole, making cord ends disappear inside each bead. For knitted fabrics, thread ends of the cord to wrong side and tie to secure.

See "Footprints", Creative Needle, May/June 2004 for the first part of the article.