You need a needle, thread, and about five minutes
Sewing a button back on takes longer to find your supplies than to do the work itself. You thread a needle, push it through the button holes four or five times, wrap thread around the base to create a shank, and tie it off on the back of the fabric. The whole job is done before most people finish looking for scissors.
The only real choice you make is whether your button has two holes, four holes, or a shank (a metal loop on the back). The method is the same for all three—the difference is just which holes you use and how many passes you make.
Key Takeaways
- Thread a needle with about 18 inches of thread, knot one end, and push the needle up through the fabric from the back so the knot catches underneath.
- For a two-hole button, push the needle down through one hole and up through the other, repeating four to five times; for a four-hole button, create two parallel lines or an X pattern.
- After your final pass, bring the needle to the back of the fabric and wrap the thread around the base of the button two or three times to create a shank that lets the button sit away from the fabric.
- Tie off with two small stitches in the same spot on the back of the fabric, then trim the thread.
Gather your supplies before you start
You need a needle, thread that matches the button or the garment, scissors, and the button itself. If the button is still partially attached, you can work with it in place; if it is completely loose, hold it against the fabric where it belongs or have someone else hold it steady.
Thread color matters less than you might think. If you cannot find an exact match, thread that matches the garment is better than thread that matches the button, because the thread on the back of the fabric is what shows. For dark fabrics, dark thread disappears. For light fabrics, light thread does the same.
Thread the needle and anchor it to the fabric
Cut about 18 inches of thread and push one end through the needle's eye. Pull until the thread is even on both sides, then tie a knot at one end. A straightforward overhand knot—the kind you tie at the start of tying your shoes—works fine.
Push the needle up through the fabric from the back, about a quarter-inch away from where the button will sit. The knot will catch on the back of the fabric and stop the thread from pulling through. If you are working on a thin fabric and the knot slips through, tie a larger knot or make a small stitch on the back of the fabric first and anchor your thread to that.
Sew through the button holes in a pattern
For a two-hole button: Push the needle down through one hole, then up through the other. Repeat four to five times, always going down through the same hole and up through the same hole. This creates a tight X of thread across the button face.
For a four-hole button: You have two options. The first is to sew two parallel lines—down through the left holes, up through the left holes, then down through the right holes, up through the right holes. The second is to create an X by sewing diagonally from corner to corner. Either way, make four to five passes total. Four-hole buttons are sturdier, so you do not need as many passes as you might think.
For a shank button (the kind with a metal or plastic loop on the back): Push the needle up through the shank, then down through the fabric next to it. Repeat four to five times. The thread wraps around the shank instead of going through holes.
Create a shank so the button sits away from the fabric
After your final pass through the button, bring the needle to the back of the fabric but do not pull it all the way through yet. Wrap the thread around the base of the button—the part where the thread emerges from the holes—two or three times. This creates a small space between the button and the fabric, which keeps the button from putting stress on the thread every time you button and unbutton.
Once you have wrapped the base, pull the needle all the way through to the back of the fabric. The wraps will tighten and hold the button in place with a small gap underneath.
Tie off the thread on the back of the fabric
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 small loop of thread. On the second stitch, push the needle through the loop before pulling tight. This is a standard finishing knot and will not come undone.
Trim the thread close to the fabric. You are done. The button will hold through many wash and wear cycles because the shank you created absorbs the stress instead of the thread alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I do not have thread that matches?
Use thread that matches the garment rather than the button. Thread on the back of the fabric is what shows when the garment is worn. If you truly cannot find anything close, clear thread works in a pinch, though it is harder to see while you are sewing and can be brittle on some fabrics.
How many times should I pass the needle through the button?
Four to five passes is standard for a two-hole button. Four-hole buttons can get away with four passes because the load is split between two sets of holes. If a button falls off repeatedly, it is usually because the shank was not wrapped tightly enough, not because you did not sew enough passes.
Can I sew a button on by machine?
Yes, but only if your machine has a button-sewing attachment or a dedicated button stitch. Most household machines do not. Hand sewing takes five minutes and requires no special equipment, so it is usually faster than setting up a machine.
What if the button holes are too small for my needle?
Use a thinner needle. If you do not have one, a toothpick can help: push it through the button hole first to widen it slightly, then try the needle again. Do not force the needle, because it can bend or break.