Hi! My name is Mary Volk and today I'm going to teach you how to sew on a button.

If you are hopeless with a thread and needle and really need to sew on that button that popped off, I can help. I will go over how to sew on a button step by step, from threading the needle to tying the final knot. I’m the sewing guru I my family, and if there is ever a ripped shirt or teddy bear with a lost eye, they bring it to me. Tons of people throw away their shirts because they don’t know how to fix the lost button, but after this you will be able to whip out your thread and needle and fix it in a jiffy.

Step 1: Gathering the Materials

First off we will gather our supplies. These will include a basic needle, some thread and the button. Usually embroidery thread is used, as it is cheap and can be in many colors. These can be found at craft stores like Hobby Lobby or at Walmart. If the button that is being replaced is on a shirt, I would recommend taking the shirt to the store and finding matching thread. The needle can be a basic embroidery needle, just nothing that say tapestry or darning. Those needles are dull and will not penetrate fabric as well as embroidery or basic sewing needles.

Step 2: Prepping the Materials

Now that all the supplies are gathered, it is time to prep

them. Cut about six inches of thread. It should be long enough that the button can be completely sewn on without stopping for more thread, but not too long otherwise the thread will be tangled.

The next step in preparations is to separate the thread. This makes it easier to thread the needle, and to sew. Take the embroidery thread and look at the end of it. There should be several strands of thread. Take one of those and gently grasping the rest of the thread, pull upwards. I have also seen it where people pull outwards, either way is fine.

Second, knot the thread. A classic knot at the end of the thread will be fine, it just has to be big enough to stay under the fabric when tugged. This helps keep the button on longer and during sewing it helps so that the thread does not slip out.

Once the thread is knotted, it is time to thread the needle. Take the end that is not knotted and insert it into the eye (the hole opposite the pointy end). I often wet the thread with my mouth and flatten it with my finger or the needle. Try different methods of what works.

Now that the needle is prepped, it is time to begin sewing.

Step 3: Sewing on the Button

First, place the button in its desired position.

Second, take the needle and puncture the fabric from the bottom and thrust the needle upwards. It is important that the needle starts at the bottom because that is where the knots will be. The needle should have gone through one of the holes of the button, if not then just remove the needle and try again. Third, after the thread has gone through the button hole, take the needle and put it in the button hole diagonal to the one that you just sewed. Fourth, pull the needle down to tighten the thread. The needle should be at the bottom of the fabric again. Fifth, move the needle to the hole beside the one that was just sewed and push the needle through it. Sixth, insert the needle into hole diagonal to the hole that was just sewed as was done in the third step. This should create an X shape on the button.

Step 4: Finishing the Project

Repeat this for about five or seven times or until the button is secure. Make sure to look out for tangles underneath the button. Tangles shorten the thread and make it difficult to sew. To prevent tangles, give a gentle pull after each stitch, this prevents the thread from tangling and tightens stitches. If tangling does happen, try and de-tangle the snarl. If that doesn't work, knot the thread above the tangle and cut the snarl off.

Once the button is finished being sewed on, it is time to knot the final product. All knots must be on the bottom of the fabric, so bring the needle to the bottom of the fabric. I usually hook the last stitch with my needle, creating a loop. I run my needle through the loop and pull. This creates a basic knot. I like to make two of these knots just to ensure its security.