How to Sew a Button on Male Dress Pants : Buttons & Sewing Tips, by eHowArtsAndCrafts on YouTube. 3 min 9 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 9 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Check the button and the fabric. Pick a thread that matches the pants, not the button, and cut about 60 cm. Thread the needle and tie a small knot at the end.
Find where the button goes. Use the old thread holes or the buttonhole on the waistband as a guide, and mark the spot with a pin.
Push the needle up through the back of the fabric at the mark, then through one hole of the button. Do not pull tight yet.
Lay a pin or toothpick across the top of the button. Sew through the holes in a cross or parallel pattern, going over the pin each time, about six to eight passes.
Pull the button up gently so the thread between button and fabric forms a short shank, roughly 2 to 3 mm tall. This is what lets the thick waistband fabric sit under the button.
Wrap the thread around the shank two or three times to strengthen it, then push the needle to the back of the fabric.
Make two or three small stitches under the button to lock the thread, then tie off and snip the tail. Remove the pin.
Button the pants and check the fit. Adjust the shank height if the button feels too tight or too loose.
Tips and common mistakes
Use a thimble on your thumb if the needle is hard to push through thick waistband fabric.
Do not sew the button flat against the fabric, or the pants will not button comfortably.
Match the thread to the pants, not the button, so repairs stay hidden.
Keep the needle in a pin cushion when you set it down so you do not lose it in the fabric.
Questions
What is a thread shank and why do I need one?
It is the short column of thread between the button and the fabric. On thick dress pants it gives room for the waistband to sit under the button.
Can I use a sewing machine instead?
Yes, if your machine has a button foot and a shank setting. By hand is easier for one button and gives you more control over the shank height.
The button hole is too small for my needle. What now?
Use a thinner needle or a finer thread doubled once. A slightly smaller needle still holds well for a light button.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
