You need thread, a needle, and the button itself
Sewing a button takes about five minutes once you have the right materials. You need a needle, thread that matches your shirt (or close enough), the button, and scissors. If the button came off with a thread shank — the small plastic or metal post underneath — keep that. If you lost it, the button will still work without one.
The hardest part is threading the needle. Cut about 18 inches of thread, wet the end slightly to make it pointy, and push it through the needle's eye. Pull the thread so one end is about 4 inches long and the other is about 14 inches long. Tie a knot at the longer end.
Key Takeaways
- Thread your needle, tie a knot at one end, and push the needle up through the shirt from the back so the knot catches underneath.
- Pass the needle through one hole of the button, then down through the opposite hole, and repeat this path four to six times to build strength.
- Wrap the thread around the base of the button two or three times to create a shank, then push the needle to the back and tie off.
- A button sewn this way will last through dozens of washes if you use thread that matches the shirt color.
Push the needle up from behind the shirt
Place the button where it belongs on the shirt. From the back of the fabric, push your needle up through one of the button's holes. Pull the thread until the knot catches on the underside of the shirt. The button should now be sitting flat against the fabric with your needle poking through one hole.
If the button has four holes, pick two that are diagonal from each other — top-left and bottom-right, or top-right and bottom-left. If it has two holes, you will straightforward go back and forth between them.
Sew through the holes four to six times
Push the needle down through the opposite hole in the button. You are now on the back of the shirt again. Push the needle back up through the first hole. You have completed one pass.
Repeat this path four to five more times. Each pass should go through the same two holes. As you sew, the thread will build up underneath the button and hold it firmly. You will feel the button getting tighter against the shirt. Stop when you have made five or six passes — more than that wastes thread and does not add strength.
Wrap thread around the base to finish
After your final pass, bring the needle to the back of the shirt but do not push it through a hole. Instead, wrap the thread around the base of the button two or three times. This creates a small shank — a gap between the button and the shirt that lets the button move freely when you fasten it.
Push the needle to the back of the shirt one last time, between the button and the fabric. Tie a knot on the underside, close to where the thread emerges. Trim the excess thread with scissors.
Use thread that matches your shirt color
Thread color matters more than you might think. If your shirt is blue, use blue thread. If you use white or black thread on a colored shirt, the stitches will be visible from across a room. Most fabric or craft stores sell thread in dozens of colors for less than a dollar per spool.
If you cannot find an exact match, choose a color slightly darker than the shirt rather than lighter. Dark thread is less noticeable than light thread on most fabrics.
Buttons with shanks need different handling
Some buttons come with a built-in shank — a hollow post on the back instead of holes. You sew through this post rather than through holes in the face of the button. The process is the same: push the needle up through the shank, then down, and repeat five or six times. You do not need to wrap thread around the base because the shank already creates the gap you need.
Shank buttons are common on coats and heavier garments because the built-in gap helps them withstand repeated buttoning and unbuttoning.
Reinforce buttons on jackets and coats
Buttons on outerwear take more stress than buttons on a regular shirt. If you are sewing a button on a coat or jacket, make your passes slightly thicker by using two strands of thread instead of one. Double-thread your needle by cutting a longer piece, threading it through the needle so both ends are even, and tying a knot at both ends.
You can also sew a small reinforcement button on the back of the fabric, directly behind the main button. This spreads the stress across a larger area and keeps the main button from tearing through the fabric. The reinforcement button does not show from the front.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the button has four holes instead of two?
Pick two diagonal holes and sew through those two only. You can sew an X pattern (top-left to bottom-right, then top-right to bottom-left) or a parallel pattern (top-left to bottom-left, then top-right to bottom-right). Either way works equally well. Stick to one pattern so the stitches look neat.
Can I use any thread, or does it have to be sewing thread?
Use sewing thread, which is made to withstand washing and wear. Regular craft thread or embroidery thread will fray and break quickly. Sewing thread is inexpensive and lasts through dozens of washes.
How do I keep the knot from coming untied?
Tie two knots instead of one — pull the thread tight, make a knot, then make another knot right on top of it. This double knot almost never comes loose. You can also seal the knot by running a tiny dab of clear nail polish or fabric glue over it, though this is rarely necessary.
What if I sew the button on too tight and it cracks?
You pulled too hard while sewing. If the button cracks, remove it by cutting the thread on the back and replace it with a new button. When you sew the new one, pull the thread snug but not so tight that you feel resistance. The button should move slightly when you tug it.
Do I need to sew through the shank if the button already has one?
Yes. The shank is just a post — it still needs thread running through it to attach the button to the shirt. Sew through the shank the same way you would sew through holes, making five or six passes.