Sewing a button on a jacket takes about five minutes once you have the right thread and needle
A loose or missing button on a jacket is one of the easiest clothing repairs you can do yourself. You need thread that matches your jacket, a needle, scissors, and the button itself — if it's still attached but loose, you're starting ahead. The basic method is the same whether your button has two holes, four holes, or a shank (a small stem on the back): you anchor the thread to the jacket, pass it through the button multiple times to find it, then knot it off on the inside.
The whole job takes longer to read about than to actually do. Most people finish in under ten minutes, and the button will hold through normal wear for years.
Key Takeaways
- Match your thread color to the jacket, not the button, so stitches blend into the fabric rather than standing out.
- Use a needle small enough to pass through the button holes without forcing it, and thread it with a length about as long as your forearm.
- Anchor your thread inside the jacket with a small knot, then pass the needle through the button holes four to six times before knotting off on the inside.
- A toothpick or matchstick placed under the button while you sew creates space for the thread to move, which makes the button sit better and last longer.
Gather your materials before you start
You need a needle, thread, scissors, and the button. If the button is missing, you can use a replacement button from a craft store or a button salvaged from an old garment you no longer wear — the size and hole count matter more than the exact color, since you'll be using jacket-colored thread.
For thread, pick a color that matches your jacket fabric, not the button. If your jacket is navy and the button is black, use navy thread. The stitches will be nearly invisible against the jacket. Thread comes in small spools at any drugstore or fabric store for a dollar or two. Buy a spool of the right color rather than trying to match a single strand — you'll use it for other repairs later.
For the needle, use one small enough that it passes through the button holes without forcing. A size 7 or 8 needle works for most jacket buttons. If you don't have a needle at home, a basic sewing kit from a drugstore costs a few dollars and includes needles, thread, and scissors all together.
Thread the needle and anchor it to the jacket
Cut a length of thread about as long as your forearm — roughly 18 inches. This is long enough to sew the button securely without running out, but short enough that it won't tangle as you work.
Thread one end through the needle's eye and pull it so the two ends are even. You now have a doubled thread, which is stronger than a single strand. Tie a small knot at the end by looping the thread around your finger, pulling the loop tight, and sliding it off. The knot should be about the size of a pea.
Position your jacket so the button hole faces you. Push the needle through the jacket fabric from the back side, coming out right next to where the button will sit. Pull the thread until the knot catches on the inside of the jacket. The knot stays hidden, and your thread is now anchored.
Sew through the button holes four to six times
Place the button on top of the hole you just made. If your button has two holes, you'll sew straight across from one hole to the other. If it has four holes, sew in an X pattern — top-left to bottom-right, then top-right to bottom-left — or in two parallel lines. Either pattern works equally well.
Before you start, slip a toothpick or matchstick under the button, laying it across both holes. This creates a tiny gap between the button and the jacket fabric. Sew over the toothpick, not under it. This gap lets the thread move slightly when the button is buttoned and unbuttoned, which reduces strain and makes the button last much longer. Without the gap, the thread can snap from the constant pressure.
Push the needle up through one hole in the button, then down through the other hole, pulling the thread snug but not tight. Repeat this four to six times. You should see the thread building up in the holes. After the fourth pass, remove the toothpick by sliding it out to the side.
Knot the thread on the inside of the jacket
After your final pass through the button, push the needle to the back of the jacket and bring it out through the fabric about a quarter-inch away from the button. Do not go back through the button holes — you want the needle to come out in the jacket fabric itself.
Loop the thread around the needle twice, then pull the needle through the loops. This creates a knot on the inside of the jacket. Repeat this knot one more time for security. Trim the thread close to the knot with scissors.
Test the button by pulling on it gently. It should not move. If it feels loose, you can add another pass through the holes, but usually four to six passes is enough.
Buttons with shanks need a slightly different approach
A shank button has a small stem on the back instead of holes drilled through the front. You sew through the shank rather than through the button face. The method is almost identical: anchor your thread, pass the needle through the shank loop four to six times, then knot off on the inside.
The advantage of a shank button is that the stem naturally creates the gap you would otherwise make with a toothpick, so the button moves more freely. Shank buttons are common on suit jackets and dress coats. If your jacket originally had a shank button and you're replacing it, look for a shank replacement rather than a hole button — it will sit and wear the same way the original did.
When to sew versus when to take it to a tailor
Sew the button yourself if it's loose or missing and the holes in the jacket fabric are still intact. This repair takes minutes and costs nothing beyond thread you probably already have.
Take the jacket to a tailor if the holes themselves are torn or enlarged, if the button is cracked or broken beyond use, or if the area around the button is damaged. A tailor can reinforce the holes or move the button to a stronger spot on the fabric. This usually costs between five and fifteen dollars, depending on your area and the tailor.
For expensive jackets — leather, wool dress coats, or anything you wear often — a tailor's work is worth the cost because they can match thread perfectly and reinforce the repair so it lasts. For everyday jackets, sewing it yourself is perfectly fine and will hold for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular sewing thread or do I need special thread?
Regular sewing thread works fine for jacket buttons. All-purpose polyester thread from any drugstore is strong enough. Avoid embroidery thread, which is thicker and harder to pass through button holes. Match the color to your jacket fabric, not the button.
What if I don't have a toothpick — can I skip that step?
You can, but the button will wear out faster. A toothpick, matchstick, or even a thin piece of cardboard creates the gap that lets the thread flex. Without it, the thread bears all the stress every time you button and unbutton. The toothpick step takes five seconds and adds months to the button's life.
How do I know if my thread is strong enough?
Pull on a length of thread with both hands. If it snaps easily, it's too weak — but all-purpose sewing thread from a store is designed for garment repair and will hold. If you're worried, use doubled thread (which you're already doing) or make an extra pass through the button holes.
What if the button keeps coming loose after I sew it?
The knot on the inside may not be tight enough, or you may not have made enough passes through the holes. Sew it again, this time making six passes instead of four, and tie two knots on the inside instead of one. If the holes in the jacket are enlarged or torn, the button won't hold — that's a job for a tailor.
Can I sew a button on a leather jacket?
Yes, but carefully. Leather doesn't hold thread the way fabric does, and puncturing it creates permanent holes. Use a needle that's slightly thicker than usual so the holes don't enlarge. If the button is loose on a leather jacket, a tailor is the safer choice because they have tools to reinforce the holes and prevent tearing.