Sew a Button: The Ultimate Guide

Buttons: they’re small, round, and, let’s be honest, often lost! Fear not, for the art of button sewing is just a needle and thread away. Whether your button has made a great escape from jeans, shirts, or your favorite jacket, this delightful tutorial will guide you through sewing one back on like a pro. So, grab those materials and let’s get to it!

Step 1: Locate the Button Area

First things first, where did that pesky button go? Identify the spot where it has vanished, leaving your garment with an unsightly gap. If you’re lucky, you might even find it lurking under the couch or in the depths of your washing machine! Now that you’ve pinpointed the battlefield, it’s time to make some marks.

Step 2: Mark the Fabric

Take your button and place it on the fabric directly over the buttonhole area. Using some tailor’s chalk—because we’re fancy like that—mark the fabric right below the buttonhole. This will be our handy guide as we proceed. A little chalk goes a long way in avoiding a needle-poking tragedy!

Step 3: Prepare Your Thread

Now it’s time to get your thread ready! Cut a piece of thread about an arm’s length. More is always better than less, unless you enjoy running out halfway through. Next, thread your needle like a pro. Slide it down the thread until it hangs in the center, with two equal lengths dangling. Don’t tie any knots just yet—patience, young grasshopper!

Step 4: Tie the Knots

Time for some knot tying! Securely tie the two loose ends together, and then tie an extra knot over that for good measure. This is like a bouncer for your thread—no slipping through here!

Step 5: Poke It Up

With your threaded needle in hand, poke that needle through the fabric from the backside, right where the chalk mark is. Pull that thread nice and tight so the knot catches on the fabric, holding everything in place. We’re officially in button-attach mode!

Step 6: Thread Through the Button

Select one of the holes in the button—any hole will do at this point! Let it fall onto the fabric like a confetti party for your garment. Push that needle through the buttonhole that’s opposite the one you just threaded, making sure to keep it strictly button to button! No fabric involved here, folks!

Step 7: Pull and Repeat

Next, wrangle that needle back through the fabric right next to the original hole. Tighten the thread until the button rests flat against the fabric. Easy peasy! Now we’re going to continue weaving—go back up through one of the remaining open holes of the button. Pull it taut, and repeat the process for the last empty hole.

Step 8: Create a Strong Base

Once you’ve threaded through those holes as if you’re mastering the art of button sew-ializing, you’ve effectively sewn in the button. But hold on—before you pop the champagne, we need to secure it. Slide the needle through the loops of thread on the underside of the fabric without snagging the garment. Slow and steady wins this race!

Step 9: Finish with Flair

Leave a bit of slack in the thread, then draw the needle through the loop to form a nice, tight knot. For good measure, let’s make a second knot to ensure this button stays put. Once you’re satisfied, clip off any thread that’s hanging out too much. Don’t let it overshadow your hard work!

Step 10: Button Test!

Last but not least, take a moment to admire your handiwork and check the stability of that button! Pull, tug, and give it some love. If it’s secure, congratulations! You’ve successfully sewn on a button, and now you can strut around proudly in your reinforced attire.

And if all else fails, just remember: at Salvation Repair, we’re here to help with all your repair needs! Whether it’s a project you want to tackle yourself or you’d rather leave it to the professionals, you can schedule a repair for anything that goes awry.