Sewing on a Button

What you will learn

• Anchoring thread
• Sewing through holes
• Making a thread shank

Materials and tools

• Button
• Hand-sewing needle (sharps, size 5 or 6)
• Heavy-duty or all-purpose polyester thread, doubled, 36 in (90 cm) cut length
• Toothpick, matchstick or pin
• Chalk
• Scissors

Before you start

• Mark the button position with chalk, in line with the buttonhole.
• Double the thread and knot the two ends together.

1. Bring the needle up from the back at the marked spot. Take two small stitches in the same place to anchor the thread, then bring the needle up.
2. Pass the needle up through one hole of the button and slide the button down the thread to the fabric. Place a toothpick, matchstick or pin on top of the button between the holes.
3. Two-hole button. Push the needle down through the second hole and into the fabric. Bring it up through the first hole again. Repeat 4 to 6 times, sewing over the spacer.

4. Four-hole button. Sew an X, going diagonally from one hole to the opposite hole, then through the other pair. Or sew two parallel bars. Repeat 4 to 6 times.

5. Remove the toothpick or pin. Lift the button away from the fabric so the stitches stand up and form a short stem of thread.
6. Make the shank. Bring the needle out under the button, between the button and the fabric, and wind the thread tightly around the stalk 4 to 6 times. Cover the whole stalk.

7. Push the needle to the back through the fabric. Take two small stitches there and tie a knot. Bury the tail between the layers and snip.
8. Check that the button can reach through the buttonhole. The stalk length should equal the thickness of the layers when buttoned.

Tips for a neat result

• Use a spacer so the shank is not too tight.
• Doubled thread is stronger, but it can tangle, so run it through beeswax.
• Sew the button at the same height as the buttonhole.

Common mistakes and fixes

Check your result

• The button sits slightly above the fabric on a firm stalk.
• The button passes through the buttonhole and lies flat when buttoned.

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