Buttonhole stitch

[2] Traditionally, this stitch has been used to secure the edges of buttonholes.

[3] In addition to reinforcing buttonholes and preventing cut fabric from raveling, buttonhole stitches are used to make stems in crewel embroidery, to make sewn eyelets, to attach applique to ground fabric, and as couching stitches.

Buttonhole stitch scallops, usually raised or padded by rows of straight or chain stitches, were a popular edging in the 19th century.

The buttonhole stitch appeared on the Jane Bostocke sampler (1598) which is the earliest, signed sampler known to date and is presently housed in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

[4] Examples of buttonhole or blanket stitches include:

Embroidery with stems in buttonhole and leaves in detached buttonhole stitch, worked in natural perle cotton on cotton-linen fabric , United States , 1990s.
Buttonhole stitch in embroidery
Raised buttonhole scallops, from Isabella Beeton 's Beeton's Book of Needlework [ 1 ]