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How To Sew on a Button

Posted by Joe Button on

It’s not uncommon to find yourself in a situation where you need to sew your own button back on. Maybe it’s after a generous feast or perhaps your dry cleaners sent back yet another shirt sans buttons. But fear not! Don’t waste time and money by visiting your tailor; sewing a button is simple and effective. There are two types of buttons; two or four hole and regular thread will work unless sewing onto a heavy coat. So, how do you sew on a button? Let’s dive right in.

Two Hole Button

1. Find a button similar or exact to existing buttons on your garment

2. Find thread that either matches the button or the shirt. Generally, match to the button colour

3. Thread the needle with equal lengths extending from both sides. A great tip is to double thread the needle to get it done quicker. You want at least 12 inches (30 cm) of thread.

4. Tie a knot at the end of a thread

5. Line button up on garment. You can make a small “X” of thread where you’d like it to be placed, or just be careful

6. From beneath the fabric, push needle through one hole in button

7. Pull the thread all the way through until the knot hits the back of the fabric. You don’t want any loose ends!

8. Sew needle through first hole and repeat in loops, avoiding crossing the thread, as it will create a bird’s nest on the backside of the fabric

9. Repeat this process until button is secure. Use at least 7 inches (18 cm) of thread

10. Finally, pull the needle through the fabric but not the button, then wrap around the base of the thread 6-8 times. Push needle through backside and make a couple stitches to secure thread. Tie this and cut off excess thread

Four Hole Button

Use the steps above but with a few modifications:

1. Definitely double thread for this button

2. Repeat steps 2-7

3. Sew diagonal opposite holes, or look at existing buttons and copy style used

4. Repeat sewing on these holes twice before switching to opposite side.

5. Insert needle through fabric but not button. Wrap thread around base of button

6. Push needle back down through and make 3-4 stitches to secure the thread

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