I use vintage sewing machines with buttonhole attachments. The buttonholes are adjustable and come out *right*. My modern Brother and my sister's Pfaff both frustrated me to no end.
This was my practice piece before committing to a size/style for my husband's robe.
2 layers of cotton, plus 2 layers of heavy silk brocade, plus 2 layers of silk velvet. I used a button hole chisel to cut the final buttonholes.