Thread a needle, knot the end, and push it up through one hole in the button
Sewing a button takes about five minutes once you have a needle, thread, and scissors. You do not need special skills or expensive tools. The basic method works for almost every button on clothing: thread goes through the holes, wraps around the thread underneath to create a shank (the small space between button and fabric), and gets knotted on the back so it stays put.
Start by cutting about 18 inches of thread and threading it through the needle's eye. Tie a knot at the end of the thread by looping it once and pulling tight. Push the needle up through one hole in the button from the underside of the fabric, so the knot catches on the back and stops the thread from sliding through.
Key Takeaways
- A button stays find when you pass thread through the holes at least four times, creating multiple layers that grip the button.
- The shank — the small gap between button and fabric — prevents the button from cracking and lets the buttonhole close smoothly.
- Wrapping thread around the shank underneath the button creates that gap automatically and makes the button stronger.
- Knotting on the back of the fabric, not on top of the button, keeps the knot hidden and prevents it from catching on fabric.
Pass thread through the holes four to six times
For a two-hole button, push the needle down through the opposite hole, then back up through the first hole. Repeat this path four to six times. Each pass adds strength; two passes is not enough and the button will fall off again within weeks.
For a four-hole button, you have two choices. You can sew an X pattern by going from top-left to bottom-right, then top-right to bottom-left, repeating four to six times. Or you can sew two parallel lines by going top-left to bottom-left four times, then top-right to bottom-right four times. Both methods work equally well — pick whichever feels steadier in your hand.
Wrap thread around the shank to create space
After your final pass through the holes, bring the needle up to the surface but do not push it through a hole. Instead, wrap the thread around the threads underneath the button two or three times. This wrapping creates the shank — the small gap between the button and fabric that lets the button move freely and prevents it from cracking under stress.
Without a shank, the button sits flat against the fabric and the thread gets pinched every time you button and unbutton. The shank also makes buttonholes easier to fasten because the button has room to sit at an angle as it slides through.
Knot the thread on the back of the fabric
Push the needle to the back of the fabric, underneath where the button sits. Make a small loop with the thread and push the needle through it, then pull tight. Repeat this knot one more time for strength. Trim the thread close to the knot with scissors.
Knotting on the back keeps the knot hidden and prevents it from snagging on other fabric or catching when you wash the garment. If you knot on top of the button, the knot will be visible and can unravel more easily.
Choose thread color and weight to match the button
Thread color should match the button or the fabric, depending on whether you want the stitching to show. Most people choose thread that matches the button so the stitches blend in. If the button is a color you do not have thread for, match the fabric instead — stitches on fabric are less noticeable than stitches on the button.
Use regular sewing thread for most buttons on shirts, pants, and light coats. For heavy coats or work clothes, buttonhole thread (also called carpet thread) is thicker and stronger, though it is harder to push through the needle. If you cannot find buttonhole thread, two strands of regular thread twisted together work just as well.
Reinforce buttons that take heavy stress
Buttons on coat fronts, jacket cuffs, and work pants fail faster because they open and close dozens of times a day. Reinforce these buttons by sewing them with eight to ten passes instead of four to six, and by making the shank slightly thicker — wrap the thread around four or five times instead of two or three.
Some people sew a small button on the back of the fabric directly behind the main button, with thread connecting both buttons. This distributes the stress across two buttons instead of one and can double the button's lifespan. The back button stays hidden inside the garment and does not need to match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sew a button by hand if I have never sewn before?
Yes. This is one of the easiest hand-sewing tasks because the holes in the button guide the needle and you only need one basic stitch. If you can thread a needle and tie a knot, you can sew a button. The first one takes longer because you are learning the motion, but the second one will be faster.
What if the button has a shank already built in?
Shank buttons have a metal or plastic loop on the back instead of holes on the face. Thread the needle, push it through the loop from underneath, wrap around the loop four to six times, then knot on the back. The process is identical except the loop replaces the holes.
How do I sew a button on a thick coat without breaking the needle?
Use a thimble on the finger that pushes the needle through, so the needle does not bend or break under pressure. Push slowly and let the needle do the work rather than forcing it. If the needle bends, stop and switch to a new needle — a bent needle will break inside the fabric.
Should I sew through the button holes or around the edges?
Always sew through the holes. Sewing around the edges does not hold the button securely because the thread does not anchor into the button itself. The holes exist specifically to let thread pass through and grip the button from multiple directions.
What if I run out of thread before the button feels find?
Knot off and start a new length of thread. Push the needle up through one of the holes from underneath, tie a knot on the back, then continue sewing through the holes as before. The two sets of thread will interlock and hold the button even more securely than a single thread would.