Have you ever been traveling and realized that one of your buttons are missing from your favorite shirt? This is one of the most common sewing problems that everyone faces. Whether you are an avid seamstress or just someone who wants to attach a button, how to sew a button is a skill that everyone should learn to do properly.
In this article, I am going to outline all the proper steps to follow to sew a button correctly. Feel free to skim and move to the section that seems most relevant to you. This post contains affiliate links
Tools Needed to Sew a Button
First, you need to gather the equipment that you will need to sew the button. Most items that you need can be found in a basic sewing kit. If you are at a hotel, the front desk should be able to provide these items.
A basic sewing repair kit is great to have for a button emergency it will contain all the following items that are needed. This inexpensive one is available at Amazon.
- Needle
- Thread
- Button
- Straight Pin or Safety Pin
- Thimble – good to have, but not necessary
Mark the Fabric for Button Placement – How to sew a Button
Accurate marking for the button is key. The best way to mark the placement is by using the existing buttonhole (which is the opening the button will slide through). Begin by buttoning the remaining buttons or close the garment like it will be worn. Mark the middle of the buttonhole opening with a fabric marker. If you use an ink pen, that mark will not be removed, but will likely not be seen. Just be sure that the location is correct before using a permanent marker.
How to Sew a Button (Flat button, not shank)
Step 1: Threading the Needle
Begin by cutting a piece of thread that is about 24″ long. Anything longer than this length will tangle easily and be difficult to sew. Thread one end through the eye of the needle. A needle threader is great if you have one. Needle threaders tend to break really easily, so the more you have the better. They are often found in basic sewing kits. Then, pull the thread through eye until the ends of the thread are the same length.
Step 2: Tie a Knot in the Thread
Tying a knot in thread is really easy. In fact, it is hard to keep thread from knotting once it is off the spool. There are 2 ways to tie a knot in the ends of the thread. First, place the thread between your thumb and forefinger about 1″ from the bottom. Roll the thread in one direction until it knots. Then, pull the knot towards the ends of the thread. Secondly, you can tie a knot by placing the thread between your thumb and forefinger. Next, wrap the thread around your forefinger once. Then, repeat the same rolling motion and pull the know towards the end. Leave a tong tail behind the know. It will be trimmed after sewing.
Step 3: Prepare the Fabric Before Sewing the Button
This is a key step that I think most people skip. After you have successfully marked the button, I’m going to show you how to place a small “x” in the fabric to ensure good placement. After you have stitched the “x” in place, insert a straight pin or a safety pin through the middle of the “x”. This step ensures that the button is not stitched too tight to the garment. If you stitch it really tight, the garment does not lay properly and will pucker around the buttonhole.
Step 4: Stitch the Button in Place
Always begin on the underside of the garment. Place your needle on one of the points of the “x” that was made in fabric and pull in through. Next, place the button on the right side of the garment and bring the needle through one of the holes in the button. If you have a 2 hole button, pull the needle down through the other hole and to the back side of the fabric. Then go back up through the first hole and repeat the process a total of about 4 times. If you have a 4 hole button, you will need to make an x with the thread as shown in the video. Make the complete”x” about 3 to 4 times before preceding to the next step.
Step 5: Tie off the Thread
Before beginning this step, remove the straight pin or safety pin. Once the button is stitched in place, on the last stitch, bring the needle through the fabric, but do not go through the button. Then, wrap the thread 3 to 4 times around the bottom of the button. Then, pull the needle through the fabric to the underside. To tie off the thread, insert the needle into the backside of the fabric, but do not pierce all the way through to the top. As you pull the needle through, this will create a loop. Insert the needle back through the loop 2 to 3 times and pull tight. This will create a knot in the fabric.
Step 6: Clip the Excess Threads
Your button is now securely in place!! The last step is to trim the threads close to the knot. Be careful not to clip the knot.
I hope this helps! If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. I also have several other sewing posts for beginners. Check them out today!
Complete Guide to Sewing Machine Needles – Includes a free printable!!
Best Sewing machines for Beginners
Fabric Stash Inventory – Free Printable!
