How to Sew Buttons for Beginners | GA015, by Glory Allan on YouTube. 3 min 10 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 10 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Cut about 45 cm (18 in) of thread and pass it through the needle. Pull the ends together so the thread is doubled, then tie a small knot at the end.
Mark the button spot with a fabric pen or pin so it lines up with the buttonhole on the other side. Push the needle up through the fabric from the back at that mark.
Lay the button on the mark and push the needle up through one hole from underneath. Check the button sits straight against its buttonhole before you go further.
Sew down through the opposite hole and back up again, repeating 4 to 6 times. Use a cross or two parallel bars for a four-hole button, and keep the stitches slightly loose.
For thick fabric like a coat, lay a toothpick or matchstick across the top of the button and sew over it. This holds a small gap so the button is not pulled flat.
Slide the toothpick out and pull the button away from the fabric. Wrap the thread around the stitches underneath 3 or 4 times to build a short shank.
Finish on the back of the fabric with two small stitches, then pass the needle through the loop to form a knot and pull it tight.
Trim the thread close to the knot. Fasten the button once to check it sits well and the stitches feel firm.
Tips and common mistakes
Always sew with doubled thread and a knotted end, since a single thread snaps sooner.
Match the thread to the fabric rather than the button, unless you want the stitches to show.
Do not sew the button tight to the fabric, or the buttonhole layer will not fit underneath it.
Needles are sharp, so keep your fingers out of the needle path and put the needle in a pincushion when you stop.
Questions
How much thread do I need for one button?
About 45 cm (18 in) folded double is plenty for a single button. Cut a little more if the button is large or the fabric is thick.
Can I sew a button on with a sewing machine?
Yes, most machines have a button foot and a setting that drops the feed dogs. For one loose button, hand sewing is usually faster than setting up the machine.
What is the difference between a shank button and a flat button?
A shank button has a loop on the back, so you sew through the loop instead of holes. A flat button needs the wrapped thread shank from step 6 to sit above thick fabric.
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.
