How to Sew on a Button (Beginner friendly tutorial)
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Whether you're fixing a favourite shirt or giving new life to an op shop fin, sewing on a button is one of the most useful (and easiest!) sewing skills you'll ever learn. Follow this simple, step by step guide, perfect for total beginners, and you'll be confidently stitching on buttons in no time.
What You'll Need
- A needle
- Thread
- Scissors
- The button you want to sew
- The item of clothing
Step 1: Thread the Needle
Cut a piece of thread roughly the length of your arm.
Fold it in half and thread both loose ends through the needle, then tie them in a knot at the bottom. (This makes your stitching stronger and easier to manage)
Step 2: Position the Button
Place your button where you want it, usually right over the spot where the old one fell off. If its a shirt, line it up with the buttonhole to make sure the placement is correct.
(Tip: Use a fabric marker or pencil to mark the spot if needed)
Step 3: Make a Secure Anchor Stitch
From the inside of the fabric, push your needle up through the button position.
Pull until the knot catches.
Make two or three small stitches in the same sport to secure your thread before attaching the button.
Step 4: Start Sewing the Button
Place your button on the fabric and push the needle up through one of the holes.
Pull the thread tight, then go down through the opposite hole.
If your button has four holes, sew two opposite holes first (making an "=" shape), then repeat with the other two (making an "x" or another "=")
Step 5: Wrap the Thread Under the Button
Bring your needle up between the button and the fabric (not through a hole)
Wrap the thread around the stitches 3-5 times to create a sturdy base (this keeps the button sitting nicely and makes it less likely to fall off)
Step 6: Knot and Finish
Push the needle back through to the inside of the fabric. Make a couple of small stitches on the inside to secure your thread.
Tie a final knot, trim the excess thread, and voila!! Your done!