Buttonholes on 38th St. June 28, 2006
by Diva Georgene
I guess Galaxy on 38th St. between 7th and 8th Ave. in Manhattan’s Garment Center doesn’t need the designer’s buttonhole business anymore. I was in despair until I found Jonathan’s on the same side of the street closer to 8th Ave.
Ostensibly an embroidery business at a storefront level, they do a land office business making buttonholes. I’ve seen people lined up with everything from duvet covers to fine men’s suits. You can see a lot of different designer lines coming thru here, as many sample studios do not have industrial buttonhole machines. To avoid that ‘loving hands at home’ look, a professional buttonhole is necessary.
It’s hard to find a Reece style buttonhole anywhere anymore. Stand in line, pick your thread color, and wait. Or if you have a big bag o’ stuff, drop it off and come back in 30 minutes.
Great service, and when you need it, you really need it.
Those of you who live in proximity to New York City will appreciate this service - get your buttonholes done, and shop the Garment Center for fabric while you wait. Did I mention that Spandex House is almost directly across the street?
See their website www.jonathanembroidery.com . I was able to get heatset rhinestones added to an embroidery done in China, when my supplier forgot to put them on the sample. Thanks to Sunny at Jonathan’s I was able to look like a hero!
So we’re talking same-day service on buttonholes, Georgene? That’s something to keep in mind, even for those of us who get to NYC only occasionally. And now….what’s a Reece buttonhole?
Karla, that is the really nicely finished buttonhole that a circular hole shape at one end, narrowing to point at the other. You see them on all fine men’s suits, and good coats. Jonathan’s makes them with cording under the buttonhole thread, so they are very secure.
I’m green with envy! As you can imagine, we don’t have places like this in Florida.
Oh Georgene, you are my hero! I’m saving all my buttonholes for when I get to New York!
Wow, this is great to know. I can save up my buttonholes and let my husband drop them off when he goes to NYC on business. Ya think? Yeah, he’s never gone to the garment district and bought me fabric, either!
Wow! Georgene, I never knew about this spot! Guess I worked in the wrong end of the garment district - just know all the button spots, not the buttonhole spots! *giggle*
I have always wondered what that buttonhole shape was called…
I cannot imagine the luxury of having the buttonholes made. Oh my!
Mary Beth, I’m with you.
And I agree w/Georgene; a beautifully tailored jacket is still noteably home sewn if it has zig-zag buttonholes, which is all my New Home can do. I’ve tried to work around it by doing bound buttonholes, but I can’t claim to have achieved professional quality on those, either. :rolleyes:
But I guess that’s really the only option for those of us not within commuting distance of a buttonhole shop, so I’ll just keep practicing those teeny little welts….
Thankyou! I am taking my next jacket there! I never knew what a Reece buttonhole was either. I can remember in highschool taking a jacket I made to a local tailor for buttonholes, but not any more!
Reece makes various buttonholers. I have one that makes “fishtail” buttonholes (used mostly on men’s suits). It’s for sale, only I don’t want to fiddle with shipping it.