Thread your needle and anchor it with a knot
A single-hole button is faster to sew than a two- or four-hole button because you make fewer passes through the fabric. Start by cutting an arm's length of thread—about 18 inches—and threading it through the eye of your needle. Use a thread color that matches your garment, or choose a color close to the button if the garment thread is hard to find.
Tie a knot at the end of the thread by wrapping the thread around your index finger, rolling it between your thumb and finger to form a small loop, then pulling the long end through. This knot will sit on the underside of the fabric and keep your thread from pulling through as you sew.
Push the needle up through the fabric from underneath, coming out right next to where the button will sit. This is your anchor point. Pull the thread until the knot catches on the back of the fabric.
Key Takeaways
- A single-hole button requires you to pass the needle straight up and down through the same hole repeatedly, making 6 to 8 passes total.
- Keep tension even so the button sits flat against the fabric without puckering or tilting.
- Leave a small gap between the button and fabric on the last pass, then wrap thread around the shank to reinforce it.
- Finish by knotting the thread on the underside of the fabric and trimming the excess close to the knot.
Push the needle up through the button hole
Position your button over the hole you just made. Push the needle up through the single hole in the button, then straight down through the fabric next to it. You are creating a vertical line of thread that holds the button in place.
Pull the thread snug but not tight—if you pull too hard, the fabric will pucker and the button will sit crooked. The button should lie flat against the garment with no wrinkles around it.
Repeat this up-and-down motion 6 to 8 times. Each pass strengthens the hold. After the third or fourth pass, you will feel the button becoming find. Continue until you have enough thread passes that the button will not move when you tug it gently.
Create a thread shank for durability
A thread shank is a small gap of thread between the button and the fabric. It lets the button move slightly when you button and unbutton your garment, which prevents the thread from snapping under stress. To create one, place a toothpick or matchstick on top of the button before you start sewing, then sew over it. The toothpick lifts the button slightly so thread wraps underneath.
If you forgot to use a toothpick, you can still create a shank on your last pass. Instead of pushing the needle all the way through the fabric, push it only halfway through the button hole, then bring it back out the same hole without going through the fabric. This creates a loop of thread between the button and fabric.
Wrap the thread around this loop 2 to 3 times, pulling gently so the wraps sit snug against the shank. This reinforces the connection and makes the button last longer.
Knot and trim the thread
Push your needle to the underside of the fabric, coming out about half an inch away from the button. Make a small loop with the thread, then push the needle through the loop and pull tight. This creates a knot on the back of the garment where no one will see it.
Repeat the loop-and-knot one more time for extra security. Then trim the thread close to the knot with scissors—leave only a quarter inch of tail so the knot does not unravel.
Test the button by pulling it gently. It should not move or wobble. If it does, you can add more thread passes by re-threading your needle and repeating the up-and-down motion, then knotting again.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common error is pulling the thread too tight on each pass. This causes the fabric to bunch around the button and makes the button sit at an angle. Pull just hard enough that the thread is snug—you should be able to slide a fingernail under the thread without resistance.
Another mistake is not making enough passes. A button sewn with only 3 or 4 passes will come loose quickly, especially on a coat or jacket that gets buttoned and unbuttoned many times a day. Aim for at least 6 passes, and 8 if the button is on a frequently used garment.
Forgetting to create a thread shank is the third common error. Without that small gap, the thread bears all the stress every time you button the garment. The thread will fray and snap within weeks. A shank adds months to the button's life.
When to replace the thread instead of repairing
If a button has come loose and you can see the thread is frayed, discolored, or thin, remove the button completely and start fresh with new thread. Sewing over damaged thread will not hold well.
To remove the old button, snip the thread on the underside of the fabric with small scissors and pull the button away. Pick out any remaining thread bits with tweezers. Then follow the steps above to sew the button back on with fresh thread.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tight should I pull the thread?
Pull just tight enough that the thread does not sag between the button and fabric. You should be able to slide your fingernail under the thread without much resistance. If the fabric puckers or the button tilts, you are pulling too hard.
Can I use a single strand of thread or should I double it?
A single strand works, but doubling the thread (folding it in half and threading both ends through the needle) makes the button stronger and faster to sew. You will need fewer passes because two strands do the work of one thicker line.
What if the button hole is very small and the needle does not fit?
Use a smaller needle. If you still cannot fit it, try a needle with a smaller eye, or use a thimble to push the needle through without bending it. A bent needle is harder to control and may break.
How many passes do I need for a button on a coat versus a shirt?
A shirt button gets buttoned and unbuttoned once or twice a day, so 6 passes is usually enough. A coat button gets more stress, so aim for 8 passes. A button on a heavy winter coat may need 10 passes or even a second thread color layered over the first.
Can I sew a single-hole button with a sewing machine?
Yes, but it requires a button foot attachment and a machine set to a zigzag stitch. Hand sewing is faster for a single button and gives you more control over tension and thread placement.