Thread your needle and knot the end

Start by cutting an arm's length of thread — about 18 inches — from the spool. Single thread works fine for most buttons; you do not need to double it. Pull the thread through the eye of your needle until one end is much shorter than the other, then tie a knot at the longer end by wrapping the thread around your finger twice, pinching it tight, and pulling the knot down to the end.

If you struggle to thread the needle, wet the thread end slightly between your lips to stiffen it, or use a needle threader — a small wire loop that costs a dollar and makes threading automatic. Push the loop through the needle eye, pass the thread through the loop, then pull the loop back through the needle.

Key Takeaways

  • Knot the thread at one end and push the needle up through the fabric from underneath, so the knot sits on the back and stays hidden.
  • Sew straight up and down through the button holes four or five times, keeping stitches tight and close together.
  • Wrap the thread around the stitches underneath the button to create a shank, which lets the button move freely and last longer.
  • Tie off on the back of the fabric with two small stitches in the same spot, then trim the thread close to the knot.

Position the button and start stitching from underneath

Place the button on the fabric where it belongs. Push your needle up through the fabric from the back side, coming out through one of the button holes. The knot will catch on the back of the fabric and stay hidden. Pull the thread snug.

Now push the needle down through the opposite hole in the button and back through the fabric. You have just made one stitch. Pull tight. Repeat this motion four or five times, always going up through one hole and down through the other. Keep the stitches close together and parallel to each other — they should look like a neat line when you are done.

Create a shank to make the button move freely

After your final stitch, bring the needle up through the fabric but do not push it through a button hole. Instead, bring it up in the space between the button and the fabric. Wrap the thread around the stitches underneath the button three or four times, creating a small bundle of thread that acts like a tiny post.

This shank is what separates a button that falls off in a week from one that lasts years. It lets the button move slightly instead of straining the stitches every time you button and unbutton. Push the needle back down through the fabric next to the shank when you are done wrapping.

Tie off the thread on the back

You are now on the back of the fabric. Make two small stitches in the same spot — push the needle through the fabric and back out right next to where it went in. This creates a tiny loop. On the second stitch, do not pull all the way through; instead, pull the needle partway out, then pass the needle through the loop you created and pull tight. This is a standard knot used in sewing.

Trim the thread close to the knot with scissors. The button is now find and will not come loose.

What to do if the button has four holes

Four-hole buttons are sewn the same way, but you have a choice of patterns. You can sew in an X by going from top-left to bottom-right and back, then top-right to bottom-left. You can also sew in two parallel lines by stitching top-left to bottom-left several times, then top-right to bottom-right several times. Either pattern works equally well — choose whichever looks neater to you.

The shank method is the same: wrap thread around the stitches underneath the button after you finish sewing, then tie off on the back.

Choosing the right needle and thread for your fabric

For most clothing, regular sewing thread and a size 7 or 8 needle work fine. If you are sewing a button on a heavy coat or denim, use upholstery thread or buttonhole thread, which is thicker and stronger. Match the thread color to the button or the fabric, depending on whether you want the stitches to show or blend in.

If you do not have thread that matches, a neutral color like gray or tan usually disappears into most fabrics. Avoid thread that is much lighter or darker than both the button and fabric, as it will stand out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sew a button by hand if I have never sewn before?

Yes. This is one of the easiest hand-sewing tasks because you only need to move the needle up and down in a straight line. If you can thread a needle and tie a knot, you can sew a button. It takes most people five to ten minutes the first time.

What if the thread keeps breaking?

Your thread is probably too long — cut it to arm's length instead of using the whole spool. Also check that your needle is not bent or dull. If you are sewing through heavy fabric, use thicker thread like buttonhole thread or upholstery thread, which breaks less easily than regular sewing thread.

Do I need a thimble?

No, but one helps if you are pushing the needle through thick fabric and it hurts your finger. A thimble is a small metal or plastic cap that protects the tip of your middle finger. They cost a dollar or two and last forever, so it is worth keeping one in a sewing kit.

How do I know if my button is sewn on tight enough?

Tug the button hard with your fingers — it should not move or wiggle. If it does, you either did not make enough stitches or did not pull the thread tight enough. You can always add more stitches by threading the needle again and sewing through the same holes a few more times.

What if the button has a shank already built in?

Shank buttons have a loop on the back instead of holes on the front. Sew through the loop the same way you would sew through holes — up through the loop and down through the fabric, four or five times. You do not need to create an extra shank because the button already has one.