Removing fake buttons holes from sleeve?

razl · Aug 27, 2010

I'm looking at a RTW suit that has fake buttonholes on the sleeves which are about 1.5 inches too long for me. With that much to shorten, I don't think it would be successful at the shoulder - so can the buttonholes be removed and redone higher up the arm? I suspect not, but thought I'd ask.

Appreciation in advance!

Slickman · Aug 27, 2010

If there's no real hole cut on the sleeve then a good tailor should be able to shorten the sleeves and re-stitch the buttons back on, if there are holes already cut on the sleeves, then the only way to shorten would be from the shoulder and that's a huge project and require a really experienced tailor, if it is at all possible

BerryWall · Aug 27, 2010

Some sham sleeve buttonholes will leave a permanent mark when removed, depending on how the sham was sewn and the type of coat fabric. A skilled tailor can assist you in your decision.

jblazing · Aug 27, 2010

Originally Posted by razl

I'm looking at a RTW suit that has fake buttonholes on the sleeves which are about 1.5 inches too long for me. With that much to shorten, I don't think it would be successful at the shoulder - so can the buttonholes be removed and redone higher up the arm? I suspect not, but thought I'd ask.

Appreciation in advance!

I don't think so. The tailor will generally just leave you with less buttons on the suit sleeve (in my experience).

mic · Aug 27, 2010

Please clarify: do you mean that the fake buttonholes are just stitching that's been added under the button?
I think it would depend on the tailor. I have to have an inch taken off the sleeves of a jacket with this type of stitching and am not sure what will happen.

Am considering actually having him construct working buttons if it's not too expensive.

Sanguis Mortuum · Aug 27, 2010

Fake (non-working) button-holes can easily be moved, or removed and replaced with working ones. I guess it's possible some stitchmarks could be left on certain fabrics but on most it won't be a problem.

Depending on how much you're shortening the sleeves by you can remove a button from the end then optionally add it back on above the others. You could remove and redo all of the buttons if necessary, but in most cases I expect that would be overkill.

Mr.K · Aug 27, 2010

A good tailor should be able to remove them. Just ned to be careful, they do sometimes leave marks, just depends on the fabric.

rlx · Aug 27, 2010

I have them removed all the time on wool suits without problem. I suppose on a light colored cloth or on cotton, marks would be apparent.

CutandSew · Aug 27, 2010

Originally Posted by rlx

I have them removed all the time on wool suits without problem. I suppose on a light colored cloth or on cotton, marks would be apparent.

I've had this done on cotton jackets and there are definitely marks where the stitching used to be.

ceriano · Aug 18, 2018

My tailor damaged my suit jackets sleeve as he was removing the false stitching. Any suggestion on how to fix this? Should I go with 2 large buttons to cover the mess?

mlstein · Aug 18, 2018

The large buttons look bad. Long ago every town had specialists in invisible reweaving who could fix such defects. A few still exist though I don't know of any offhand, and if your tailor is an honorable person he or she should pay for you to send the jacket off for repairs.

dieworkwear · Aug 18, 2018

I use these guys for reweaving. They can probably fix that hole for you so the repair looks nearly invisible.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/french-american-reweaving-co-new-york-2

ceriano · Aug 18, 2018

dieworkwear said:
I use these guys for reweaving. They can probably fix that hole for you so the repair looks nearly invisible.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/french-american-reweaving-co-new-york-2

Do they have a website? Can I mail it to them?

letsgofire · Aug 18, 2018

Without a Trace in Chicago should be able to help here.

dieworkwear · Aug 18, 2018

ceriano said:
Do they have a website? Can I mail it to them?

I don't know if they have a website. I usually just call them.

And yes, you can mail items to them.

Removing fake buttons holes from sleeve?

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