Thread a needle, tie a knot, and push through from the back
Sewing a button by hand takes about five minutes once you have a needle, thread, and scissors. Start by cutting an arm's length of thread, then thread it through the needle's eye and tie a knot at the end. Position the button on top of the fabric where it fell off, push the needle up through one hole from underneath, then down through the opposite hole. Repeat this path four to six times until the thread is snug. Finish by wrapping thread around the stitches underneath the button to create a shank — this small space keeps the button from pulling tight against the fabric and snapping off again.
The entire process works the same whether the button has two holes, four holes, or a shank already built in. The only difference is the path your needle takes: two-hole buttons get one straight line of stitches, four-hole buttons get either two parallel lines or an X pattern. Both methods hold equally well.
Key Takeaways
- Cut thread about the length of your forearm, thread the needle, and tie a knot at one end before you start.
- Push the needle up through a hole from underneath the fabric, then down through the opposite hole, and repeat four to six times.
- Wrap the thread around the stitches underneath the button two or three times to create space between button and fabric, then tie off.
- A button with a shank (the metal or plastic post underneath) uses the same method but you skip the wrapping step.
What you need before you start
Gather a needle, thread that matches the button or fabric, scissors, and the button itself. The needle should be small enough to pass through the button holes without forcing — a standard sewing needle works for most buttons. Thread color matters only if the button will be visible from the back; if it won't be seen, any thread works.
If you do not have a needle, a safety pin works in a pinch, though it is slower. If you do not have matching thread, any color that is not bright white or black will blend better than you expect once the button is sewn down.
Threading the needle and tying the knot
Cut a length of thread about as long as your forearm. Pinch one end between your thumb and finger, then push the other end through the needle's eye. Pull until the thread is even on both sides, then tie a knot at one end by looping the thread around your finger, pulling it tight, and sliding the loop off your finger. The knot should be roughly the size of a pea — large enough that it will not slip through the button hole, but small enough that it does not catch on the fabric.
If the thread keeps fraying at the end and will not go through the needle, wet the tip slightly between your lips and pinch it to a point. If the needle eye is too small, try a needle with a larger eye, sometimes called a crewel needle.
Pushing the needle through from underneath
Hold the button in place on the fabric with one hand. From underneath, push the needle up through one hole so the knot catches on the back of the fabric and stops the thread from pulling through. The button should now be sitting on top of the needle.
Push the needle down through the hole directly across from the one you came up through. You should feel the needle point come out on the underside of the fabric. Pull the thread snug but not tight — tight enough that there is no slack, but loose enough that you can still move the button slightly.
Repeating the stitch four to six times
Push the needle back up through the first hole again, then down through the opposite hole. Repeat this same path four to five more times. Each time, pull the thread snug. You will feel the stitches getting tighter and the button getting more find. After five or six passes, the button should not move at all when you tug it.
If you are sewing a four-hole button, you can either repeat the same two holes four times, or create an X by stitching one pair of opposite holes, then the other pair. Both methods hold equally well — choose whichever feels easier to you.
Creating a shank to prevent the button from snapping
Once the stitches are tight, bring the needle up through one hole but do not push it back down through the fabric. Instead, wrap the thread around the stitches underneath the button two or three times. This creates a small space between the button and the fabric, which keeps the button from being pulled too tight and snapping off when you button and unbutton the garment.
After wrapping, push the needle down through the fabric one final time, but not through a button hole — push it down next to the button, between the stitches. Pull the thread to the back, tie a knot, and trim the excess. The knot should be on the back of the fabric where it will not be seen.
Buttons with a shank already built in
Some buttons have a metal or plastic post underneath instead of holes. These are called shank buttons. Sew them the same way — push the needle up through the loop or hole in the shank, then down next to it — but repeat only three or four times instead of five or six, because the built-in shank already creates the space you need.
Shank buttons are common on coats and dress shirts because the built-in space makes them less likely to snap under stress. If you are replacing a shank button, use a shank button as the replacement; if you are replacing a hole button, use a hole button.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the thread keeps breaking while I sew?
You are probably pulling too hard. Sewing a button should feel effortless — if you are straining, ease up. Also check that the thread is not frayed or knotted. If the thread is old or cheap, it may break no matter what you do; switch to new thread and try again.
Can I use a thimble to protect my finger?
Yes. A thimble worn on the finger that pushes the needle protects your skin from the needle point, especially if you are sewing many buttons or using a thick fabric. It is not required, but it does make the work faster and less painful.
How tight should the stitches be?
Tight enough that the button does not wiggle, but loose enough that you can still move it slightly with your finger. If the stitches are too tight, the thread may snap when you button the garment. If they are too loose, the button will fall off again within a few days.
What if I sew the button on crooked?
Cut the thread on the back and pull it out, then start over. It takes only five minutes, so there is no harm in redoing it. If the button is slightly crooked but still functional, you can leave it — most people will not notice.
Do I need to match the thread color exactly?
Matching is better if the button will be visible from the back or sides, but if the button sits on a seam or edge where the back is hidden, any thread works. Once the button is sewn down and the garment is buttoned, the thread is usually not visible anyway.