Sewing question - fastening on gents cardigan

[alisonsvintagechicboutique]

I have been asked to add some fastenings to a gents cardigan.  Have enclosed a pic.  Already has 4 perfectly good buttons lower down but wants to have a higher fastening (maybe two) up nearer collar so as not to expose too much manly chest lol!!  

Cardi is wool and has a rustic look so was thinking a toggle but would need to create a loop somehow or a buttonhole - I dont have a sewing machine so would have to make by hand.  

Any ideas please for doing this or making an alternate fastening that might suit.  

Thank you in advance 

[aernethril]

Have you got a toning bit of wool that you could crochet a chain with to make a fastening for a toggle button - just sew the ends of the chain firmly just inside the edge of the left hand side and the toggle on the right?

[wizilizi]

A toggle would look good.  I am no sewer though, so can't help with technique

My Mum was good at this sort of thing, & she used to crochet the loops for toggles, I think

Have you a bit of the wool the cardi is knitted in?  If you don't, maybe some sort of rolled leather loop would work?

I am sure someone will come along with proper knowledge shortly!!!!

[alisonsvintagechicboutique]

Thank you both.  I have no clue how to crochet thought lol.  I did just find these on Ebay and they look quite good (171168631457) and price is for two.  I am assuming just stitch them on.  Be nice to make something from scratch but not sure if I am clever enough!  

[aernethril]

Any type of softish cord would do then - it's just a question of making sure the ends are firmly attached to the edge which could easily be done with some basic sewing stitches.

I'm not sure how those things would work - presumably you do sew those flat bits to the sides of the cardigan.

I'd recommend finding a small scrap of say cotton fabric (about 10p piece sized) and placing one each on the underside of the garment where you're sewing the toggle and loop if you use them.

That way, the 'pull' is not directly on the wool itself.

[alisonsvintagechicboutique]

That's very good advice - thank you Aernethril.  

[captainbovine]

if you get a piece of wool, then take another piece, put the ends together and then take one piece of wool and make blanket stitches pushing them together and keeping the bottom edge of the stitch in a line. You end up with a chain, sew the edges firmly together on the back of the item. I do this when wanting a fastener for a button.

I hope I explained that properly .... do you get what I mean?

[brynteg11]

You could sew on large press studs which wouldn't show when fastened but would keep the wrap over part in place.

[ilove2patch]

That is what I would do Bryn.

[chickengrandma-2008]

That was my first thought but didn't want to sound like a defeatist!!  

[alisonsvintagechicboutique]

Thank you Capt Bovine, I do get what you mean.  I may go down the handmade route either on this cardi or on future pieces I do think this kind of fastening looks nice.  

Had not thought of press-studs - may have been a good idea had I not already mentioned the toggle idea to him lol!.  

[ilove2patch]

I think if it were all toggles it would look right but not sure about buttons & toggles.

[alisonsvintagechicboutique]

I know - I might take the buttons off totally and sew up the button holes as would look better.

[**forum-decorum**]

Hi alison.

The cardigan looks as though it is knitted in a fairly loose knit, I reckon you could in a good postition add another button hole by parting the loose stands to a large enough whole and with some cotton the same colour match as  the other bottonhole stitching, stitch by hand round the hole in tiny blanket stitch, then just replace the buttons with matching ones.

[fishpieface]

How about just a couple of little poppers?  If he's going to do the cardi up most of the time

they will do the trick but won't show.

Or a safety pin!