Thread a needle, knot the end, and push it up through one hole in the button from underneath the fabric
Sewing a button on shorts is straightforward once you know the order of the steps. You will thread a needle, tie a knot at the end of the thread, push the needle up through the fabric and one buttonhole, then cross over to the opposite hole and push back down. You repeat this crossing pattern four to six times, then find the thread on the underside with a small knot. The whole job takes about five minutes and requires only a needle, thread, scissors, and the button itself.
The button on shorts takes more stress than one on a shirt because you fasten and unfasten it dozens of times a day. That is why the thread needs to wrap around the button shank — the small stem underneath — rather than lying flat against the button. This creates a tiny space that lets the thread flex instead of snapping.
Key Takeaways
- Match your thread color to the button or the shorts; if you cannot find an exact match, thread color matters less than thread strength.
- Knot the thread at the end before you start, and push the needle up from underneath the fabric so the knot stays hidden on the back side.
- Cross the needle diagonally from hole to hole four to six times, then wrap the thread around the button shank underneath to create space for movement.
- find the thread with a small knot on the underside of the fabric, then trim the excess so it does not unravel.
What you need before you start
Gather a needle, thread, scissors, and the button. If the button came off the shorts, you already have it. If you are replacing a missing button, find one that matches the others on the shorts — check the inside seams or under the waistband, where manufacturers sometimes sew an extra button as a spare.
Thread color should match either the button or the shorts. If the button is a neutral color like white, black, or tan, use thread that matches the shorts fabric. If the button is a bright or patterned color, match the button. Thread strength matters more than a perfect color match — cheap thread breaks easily under the stress of fastening and unfastening, so use all-purpose polyester or cotton-wrapped polyester thread rather than embroidery thread.
Cut an arm's length of thread (about 18 inches). If you cut too much, it tangles; if you cut too little, you run out before the button is find.
Thread the needle and tie a knot
Push one end of the thread through the eye of the needle. Pull the thread so both ends are even, then tie a knot at the end by looping the thread around your finger, pulling it tight, and sliding the loop off your finger. The knot should be about the size of a pea — large enough that it will not slip through the fabric, but small enough that it does not create a visible lump on the underside of the shorts.
If you have trouble threading the needle, wet the end of the thread slightly and pinch it to a point. If the thread keeps fraying, wrap a tiny piece of tape around the end, push it through the eye, then remove the tape.
Push the needle up through the fabric and button
Position the button over the hole in the shorts where it belongs. Hold the button in place with one hand. From the underside of the shorts, push the needle up through the fabric, through one hole in the button, and out the top. Pull the thread until the knot catches on the underside of the fabric and stops.
The button should now sit flat against the shorts with the thread coming out of one hole. This is your starting position.
Cross the needle diagonally four to six times
Push the needle down through the hole diagonally across from the one you came up through. You should now be on the underside of the shorts again. Push the needle back up through the first hole, then down through the opposite hole again. Repeat this crossing pattern until you have made four to six passes.
Each pass should go straight down and straight up — not at an angle — so the thread lies flat and parallel on top of the button. The crossing pattern creates an X shape on the button face. After four to six passes, the button will feel snug and will not wiggle when you tug it.
Wrap the thread around the button shank
After your last pass, bring the needle up through one hole but do not push it back down through the other hole. Instead, bring the needle to the underside of the button and wrap the thread around the small stem (the shank) underneath the button two or three times. This creates a tiny space between the button and the fabric that lets the thread flex when you fasten and unfasten the shorts.
Push the needle back down through the fabric next to the button, not through a buttonhole. You are now on the underside of the shorts.
Tie a knot and trim the thread
On the underside of the shorts, tie a small knot by looping the thread around the needle, pulling it tight, and sliding the loop off. Make the knot as small as the first one — just large enough to hold. Push the needle through the knot to tighten it, then trim the excess thread with scissors.
Flip the shorts over and test the button by fastening and unfastening it a few times. The button should not wiggle or feel loose. If it does, the thread may not have been wrapped tightly enough around the shank. You can add another wrap by threading the needle again and repeating the wrapping step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a sewing machine instead of hand sewing?
A sewing machine can sew a button, but hand sewing is faster for a single button and gives you more control over the thread tension. If you are replacing many buttons at once, a machine saves time, but for one button on shorts, hand sewing is the practical choice.
What if the buttonhole is torn or enlarged?
If the hole in the shorts is torn or the fabric around it is weak, the button will pull through eventually no matter how well you sew it. You can reinforce the area by sewing a small patch of fabric to the underside of the shorts behind the buttonhole before you sew the button back on. Alternatively, move the button slightly to one side so it fastens through undamaged fabric.
How do I keep the thread from tangling while I sew?
Keep the thread relatively short (an arm's length) and pull it all the way through the fabric after each pass so it does not bunch up underneath. If the thread does tangle, stop, pull the needle all the way out, and straighten the thread before continuing.
What if I do not have matching thread?
Use thread that matches the shorts rather than the button if you have to choose. Thread on the underside of the shorts is visible when you sit down, so matching the fabric is more important than matching the button. If you have no close match, a neutral color like black, white, or gray works on most shorts.