How to sew on a button!

Sewing on a button is very simple once you know how to do it! I'll teach you how to sew on both shank and flat buttons so you're covered anytime one falls off. :)

Step 1 Types of buttons.

Flat buttons are the most common kind - they're what you'll find on dress shirts and most clothing. They have two or four holes, depending on the style.

Shank buttons have no holes on top, but they have a small protrusion on the back that is hollow at the end. They're more often found on dresses and coats.

Comments

[rainbowkisses]

on my husbands yard shirts and my eldest boys school shirts and youngests pjs, i use dental floss as thread they are as rough as guts with buttons. Oh i also use it for sewing limbs etc on teddy bears when i make them. Great tutorial!!

[Ice Angel]

Thanks for the tutorial! Now I'll be sewing buttons like a pro. Any chance for such a great tutorial on sewing seams? Mine just never seem to hold very long... (",)

[Silver Buttons]

How could I not have thought of the toothpick trick?? Very good idea, will try it when I sew some new buttons on my shirt.

As you can tell from my user name, I love buttons! =]

[Labyrinth]

Tip-top Jess, thanks for the pointers.

[mgcasella]

I've been sewing for a while and I thought I knew how to sew a button pretty well. I have been forever humbled :-)

[axiesdad]

Nice 'ible. I didn't know the toothpick trick, always just tried to leave a little slack in the passes. You don't say anything about anchoring the thread at the beginning. Do you just leave an inch or so not pulled through and then snip it off when you are finished? I usually fasten mine with a few passes through the cloth before I start through the button; maybe that's just overkill.

[jessyratfink]

I always knot the end of the thread several times so it'll catch the first time you pull the needle through the fabric. I guess I probably should add that. :)

[MTJimL]

Guess I'm weird; I usually start it on the front, then pass it back to the front before I run it through the button. Like axiesdad said, probly overkill.

[MTJimL]

Hey, I think I can even do it. And ditto for the toothpick. Also you write with care and are easy to read and follow. That's refreshing on the Net these days. Can't wait to read your I'able on sewing.

[TygerCub]

Very well written and illustrated. Thank you for such simple, useful instructions.

[phase90]

The toothpick is just the thing I have been missing all these years! Excellent.

[Helder4u]

nice :)

[ChrisJones2102]

Thanks for the pointers. My mother taught me to sew on my buttons, but she never taught me about the toothpick. That's an excellent way to create the spacing between the button and the fabric.

[MsJaxFla]

Excellent instructions. You can always make money teaching sewing. Smart gal that you are!

[cernenwein]

I use dental floss instead of thread for buttons that come off a lot.

[jessyratfink]

That's a fantastic idea. Never would have thought of that!

[laxap]

I had an approximate knowledge before.

Now with parts three, I know how to finish the job properly. Thanks.

[doxsys]

Very nice! Thanks -- I've been looking for improvements to my technique, and the toothpick is a great idea.

[PixyMcCrafty]

Thank you. In my efforts to become domesticated somehow I missed acquiring this skill. The toothpick should save me from sewing the same button on repeatedly :D

[scoochmaroo]

I have also had success by putting the toothpick on top of the button when sewing instead of underneath. Sometimes a bit easier to control, but same effect either way. Thanks for this tutorial!