Thread a needle, knot the end, and push up through the underside of the fabric where the button sits
Sewing a button on pants is a straight task: you push a needle and thread through the button holes four or five times, then find the thread on the back of the fabric. The whole job takes about five minutes once you have a needle, thread that matches your pants, and scissors. You do not need a sewing machine or special tools.
The reason to do this yourself rather than take pants to a tailor is cost and speed. A tailor charges five to fifteen dollars per button. Doing it at home costs almost nothing and takes less time than driving somewhere.
Key Takeaways
- Use thread that matches your pants color, and a needle small enough to pass through the button holes without forcing.
- Knot the thread at one end, push the needle up from the back of the fabric, and pull the thread tight so the knot catches underneath.
- Pass the needle through one hole and out the opposite hole four to five times, keeping stitches parallel and snug.
- Wrap the thread around the stitches on the front of the button two or three times to create a shank, then push the needle to the back and knot it off.
- Trim the thread close to the knot on the back side so it does not unravel.
Gather thread, needle, scissors, and the button
You need thread in a color that matches your pants. If the original button came off with thread still attached, use that thread. If not, buy a spool of all-purpose thread from a fabric store or drugstore in a shade as close as possible to your pants color — navy, black, khaki, or whatever your pants are. A single spool costs two to four dollars and will sew dozens of buttons.
Use a needle with an eye large enough that you can thread it without struggling, but small enough to fit through the button holes. A standard sewing needle works for most pants buttons. If you do not have a needle at home, a pack of assorted needles costs one to three dollars. You also need scissors to cut the thread.
Have the button itself — either the one that fell off or a replacement. If you lost the button, buy a replacement that matches the other buttons on your pants. Bring a pants leg to the store so you can match the size and color.
Thread the needle and tie a knot at the end
Cut about 18 inches of thread from the spool. Pull one end through the needle's eye. The two ends do not need to be even — one can be longer than the other.
Tie a knot at the end of the thread by making a small loop, pulling the thread through it, and pulling tight. The knot should be roughly the size of a pea. This knot will catch on the back of the fabric and keep the thread from sliding through.
Position the button and push the needle up from underneath
Lay your pants flat on a table or your lap. Find the spot where the button should sit — usually where the old button was, or where a matching button is on the other side of the fly or waistband.
Hold the button in place with one hand. With the other hand, push the needle up through the fabric from the back side, coming out through one of the button's holes. Pull the thread until the knot catches on the back of the fabric and stops. The button should now be sitting on top of the fabric with the thread coming up through one hole.
Stitch through the holes four or five times
Push the needle down through the hole directly across from where it came up — if the button has four holes, go diagonally across; if it has two holes, go straight across. Pull the thread snug but not so tight that you bend the button or pucker the fabric.
Push the needle back up through the first hole again. You now have one complete stitch. Repeat this motion four or five times, always going through the same two holes in the same direction. Each stitch should be parallel to the last one, and the thread should sit snug against the button without slack.
After the final stitch, push the needle to the back of the fabric but do not go through a button hole — instead, push it through the fabric right next to the button, coming out on the back side.
Wrap the thread around the stitches to create a shank
On the back of the fabric, you now have several parallel threads running from the button down to where your needle is. Wrap the thread around these stitches two or three times, going around the bundle of threads like you are wrapping a package. This wrapping is called a shank, and it creates a small space between the button and the fabric so the button can move slightly when you button and unbutton your pants. Without a shank, the button sits flat and the thread breaks faster.
After wrapping, push the needle through the fabric one more time to anchor the wrapping, then bring it back out on the back side.
Tie off the thread and trim
Make a small loop with the thread on the back of the fabric. Push the needle through the loop and pull tight to create a knot. Do this twice — two knots are more find than one. Trim the thread close to the knot with scissors so the end does not unravel.
Turn the pants over and check the button. It should sit flat on the fabric, move slightly when you wiggle it, and feel find. If the thread is loose, you can always go back and add another stitch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the button has four holes instead of two?
Stitch through the holes in an X pattern: top-left to bottom-right, then top-right to bottom-left, repeating four or five times. The shank and knot-off work the same way. Four-hole buttons are slightly stronger because the thread crosses more of the button's surface.
Can I use any color thread?
Matching thread is best because it blends in. If you cannot find an exact match, choose a shade slightly darker than your pants rather than lighter — dark thread is less noticeable than light thread on dark fabric. For a quick fix, you can use any thread you have, but the stitches will show.
How tight should I pull the thread?
Pull snug enough that there is no slack, but not so tight that you bend the button or pucker the fabric around it. If the fabric wrinkles when you pull, ease off slightly. The thread should feel firm but not strained.
What if I break the thread while sewing?
Tie off what you have with a knot on the back, trim it, and start over with a fresh needle and thread. Push the new needle up through the same holes and continue stitching. The old stitches will stay in place under the new ones.
Do I need to use the exact thread that came with the pants?
No. The original thread is long gone if the button fell off. Any all-purpose thread in a matching color works just as well and costs less than a dollar.