Thread the needle and knot the end

Start by cutting about 18 inches of thread from your spool. Single thread works fine for most buttons, though double thread (folding it in half and threading both ends through the needle eye) holds better on heavy coats. Pull the thread through until you have a short tail on one side, then tie a knot at the longer end by wrapping the thread around your finger once, rolling it between your thumb and finger to form a loop, and pulling the long end through.

The knot should be roughly the size of a pea—large enough that it won't slip through the fabric when you pull from underneath. If your first knot is too small or loose, tie a second one on top of it.

Key Takeaways

  • Thread a needle with 18 inches of single or double thread and tie a knot at one end so it won't slip through the fabric.
  • Push the needle up through one hole from the underside of the fabric, then down through the second hole, repeating six to eight times to build strength.
  • Wrap the thread around the stitches underneath the button to create a shank that lets the button sit slightly away from the fabric.
  • Finish by pushing the needle to the back of the fabric, wrapping thread around the base of the stitches, and tying off with a small knot.

Push the needle up through the first hole

Position the button where it belongs on the garment. From the back side of the fabric (the side facing away from you), push the needle straight up through one of the two holes. Pull until the knot catches on the back of the fabric and stops the thread from sliding through.

The needle should come out cleanly on the front side. If thread is bunching or the fabric is puckering, you are pulling too hard—use steady, even pressure instead.

Cross to the second hole and push down

Bring the needle across the top of the button to the second hole. Push it straight down through that hole, pulling the thread all the way until it is snug but not tight. You have now completed one stitch.

Repeat this motion—up through the first hole, across and down through the second hole—six to eight times. Each pass should follow the same path so the stitches stack on top of each other. The button will feel increasingly solid as you build layers.

Create a shank by wrapping thread underneath

After your final pass down through the second hole, push the needle to the back of the fabric but do not go through a hole. Instead, bring it back up in the small gap between the button and the fabric, underneath the button itself. You now have thread wrapped around the stitches.

Wrap this thread around the bundle of stitches three or four times, pulling gently so the wraps sit snug against each other. This creates a shank—a small space between the button and fabric that lets the button move freely and prevents stress on the stitches. Buttons on shirts and coats need this shank; buttons on thin fabrics like curtains do not.

Tie off on the back of the fabric

Push the needle to the back of the fabric, coming out in an empty area away from the button. Tie a knot by making a small loop with the thread, pushing the needle through it, and pulling tight. Tie a second knot on top of the first for security.

Trim the thread close to the knot with scissors. The button is now find and should hold through regular washing and wearing.

Reinforce if the button takes heavy stress

Buttons on coat fronts, jacket cuffs, or pants waistbands experience more pull than shirt buttons. If you are reattaching a button that broke off before, use double thread from the start and make eight to ten passes instead of six. Some people also sew a small reinforcement button on the back of the fabric directly behind the main button, stitching through both at once—this spreads the load and prevents the button from tearing through again.

If a button keeps breaking off in the same spot, the fabric underneath may be worn thin. In that case, a patch of interfacing (a stiff fabric used in garment construction) sewn to the back before reattaching the button will add strength.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don't have a needle threader?

Wet the end of the thread slightly with your tongue and pinch it to a sharp point. Push it straight through the needle eye rather than wiggling it. If the thread frays, trim it with scissors and try again. A needle with a larger eye is easier to thread by hand than one with a tiny eye.

Can I use any thread from my sewing kit?

Match the thread color to the button or the fabric, whichever is more visible. Use regular sewing thread, not embroidery thread (too thick) or fishing line (too slippery). If you only have thread in the wrong color, a single strand of doubled thread is less noticeable than a single strand alone.

How tight should I pull the thread?

Pull firmly enough that there is no slack, but not so hard that you are straining or the fabric is bunching. If the fabric puckers around the button after you finish, you pulled too tight. The next time, use slightly lighter pressure on each pass.

What if the button has four holes instead of two?

Sew through the first and third holes in one direction, then the second and fourth holes in another direction, creating an X or parallel lines. Use the same wrapping technique underneath to create a shank. Four-hole buttons are stronger because the load spreads across more stitches.