Sewing Buttons: 8 Steps to Sew Buttons

It can be tricky to sew buttons onto shirts, but if you practice and have patience, you'll be a pro in no time! Sewing buttons on your shirt can be done by hand or by machine, depending on the fabric. It's even possible to try some fun and creative variations on this classic sewing project once you've mastered the basics.

Types of Buttons

There are four types of buttons commonly used on shirts:

1. Flat buttons:

There are two holes in the button so that it can be sewn onto the shirt. Typically, they are made of plastic or metal.

2. Button-down collar:

Shirts with this type of button have two holes sewn into them. A small piece of thread is used to fasten the button through the fabric.

3. Hidden buttons:

Two holes are sewn into the shirt to attach these buttons. Although the button goes through the fabric, it cannot be seen.

4. Button-front:

Shirts with this type of button have two holes sewn into them. There is a visible button through the fabric.

How to sew a button?

Buttoning your sewing projects is an easy way to add a decorative touch. Sewing buttons is possible either by hand or by machine, and there are a few ways to do it. We'll show you how to sew buttons in 8 steps, along with some tips on how to do it.

1. Gather your basic sewing tools.

A few tools are required for button sewing. A needle, thread, and a pair of small scissors are required; these sewing supplies are included in most sewing kits.

• Needles: Any common sewing needle will suffice, and the thinner the better.
• Thread: You'll need around 12" to complete the process. Use 24′′ if you double your threads (to make them stronger and simpler to knot). Try to use thread that matches the color of the clothing, but black or blue are acceptable in a hurry.
• Button: If possible, utilize the original; otherwise, use whatever you can find. A backup set of buttons is usually placed on the inside of the lower front of most shirts. Some buttons have two holes, while others have four. The method presented here is for a four-hole button, although it may also be applied to two-hole buttons.
• Cutting tool: To cut the extra thread, use scissors, a knife, or something sharp. In a pinch, you can use your teeth.

2. Thread your needle.

Thread your thread through the needle's eye. Instead of leaving a tail and tying a knot at the end of a single thread, feed it all the way through the needle so that the two ends are equal in length, resulting in a double thread. Pull a few lengths of thread and wrap the tails of the thread around your index finger a few times before gently rolling off with your thumb to form a knot that connects the two ends of the thread.

Last thing before we begin? Check that the button is on the correct side! Its flat portion should match the cloth, and the ridged side should face up.

3. Put your button where you want it and poke up your needle.

Begin by poking up through the bottom of the cloth and into one of the button holes. Pull the thread all the way through the first time so the knot is fixed on the back of the cloth.

Choose a location for your button, ensuring sure it is on the correct side of the cloth. Thread a little x to guide your needle when you've decided where you want your button to go. Beginning on the reverse side of the cloth, thread the needle and stitch a little x as a reference for where the button will go. The x should be placed about where the buttonholes will be.

4. Place your button.

Basically, you thread up through the fabric of the first hole you started with and then down into the other side, tugging the thread tight each time. This action is repeated a number of times to ensure that it is completely secure.

Place your button on the cloth and align it with the smaller x. Begin by threading your sewing needle through the first hole of the button on the bottom of the garment. Angle your needle downward and draw it through the second hole after dragging the needle and thread through the cloth and buttonhole. Your needle and thread should emerge from the garment's underside.

Furthermore, keep in mind that you should enter the needle into the same approximate location each time to avoid poking holes at random.

5. Add a straight pin.

Put a straight pin or toothpick between the cloth and button, under the button and initial stitch, before sewing any further stitches. You will be able to sew the button onto the clothing too tightly if you use the pin.

6. Continue sewing the button.

Seven extra times through the button and clothing, or until the button is secure. Small buttons take less stitching than giant buttons, so if your button is very weighty, consider adding a few more stitches to keep it in place. Just thread the needle into the cloth for the final upward stitch.

7. Remove the straight pin.

To create the shank, remove the straight pin from the button's bottom and wrap the thread five or six times around the button's underside.

8. Complete the button with a knot at the back.

Feed the needle through the stitches on the back of the cloth and tie a knot by passing the needle through the loop to finish the thread. Repeat this process two or three times before severing the thread.

F&Q

How to sew a button on pants?

Sewing button-on pants are easy if you follow these 6 steps:
1. Use thread that matches the pants to thread a needle.

2. From the back side, push the needle through the fabric about 1/4 inch from the edge of the buttonhole.

3. Tie the two ends of the thread together in a knot after leaving a tail of thread about 6 inches long.

4. Push the needle through the backside of the fabric after wrapping the thread around the shank of the button (the part that goes through the buttonhole).

5. Make a knot on the back side of the fabric after tightening the thread so the button is snug against the fabric.

6. Leave a 1-inch tail at the end of the thread.

How to sew a button without a needle

There are a few ways to sew a button without a needle. You can use a safety pin, a paper clip, or a straight pin. Just thread the chosen item through the buttonhole and then through the button. Sew the button onto the fabric by looping the thread around the shank of the button and tying it off.

How to sew a 4 hole button?

The following steps will guide you through sewing a four-hole button:
1. Take a piece of thread about 18 inches long and cut it.

2. Knot the end of your needle after threading it.

3. Come out of the button through a hole in the back of the button with the needle inserted through the back.

4. Through the second hole, insert the needle and come out through the third hole.

5. Go through the fourth hole and out the back of the button with the needle.

6. Ensure that the thread is tight and tie a knot on the back of the button.

How do you sew a perfect button?

Despite the fact that there is no one perfect way to sew a button, there are a few key tips to help you achieve a professional-looking result.

1. To begin with, be sure to use the right size needle for your thread and button.

2. Secondly, ensure that the button is sewn evenly and looks symmetrical.

3. The last thing you need to do is to knot your thread securely on the backside of the button so that it doesn't come loose.

How long does it take to sew a button?

It takes about 30 seconds to sew a button.