Comments on: How to Sew on a Button

By: penandra

penandra — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:50:02 +0000

An alternative to knotting the thread (a “no-no” for button sewing) is to fold the thread in half and thread the two loose ends through the eye of the needle (with a loop at the other end. From the back of the garment, pull the thread through the fabric, through the button, back through the fabric and through the loop of the thread. This will anchor the thread and doesn’t leave that little knot to irritate the skin.

Found your post while talking to a friend who was trying to coerce me to sew buttons for her. I sent her this link (and also pinned it to by Sewing Board on Pinterest)! Thank you.

By: Anthony Lewis

Anthony Lewis — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:35:42 +0000

I could have used this skill 20 years ago. I think I’ll give it a shot.

By: Ken

Ken — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 16:56:50 +0000

I was looking for ideas to put the space under a button for my wool/cashmere coat and never thought of spacing from the top of the button. Thank you kindly!

By: james

james — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:18:08 +0000

If you can, it makes a MUCH neater and firmer holding stitch if you pass the thread through beeswax before you begin stitching.

By: Marko

Marko — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 08:24:54 +0000

Thank you – I never knew about the “spacer needle”!

I might even have a suggestion to improve it: I grabbed a medium-sized safety pin that had the same diameter shank as the needles, but it won’t fall out in between the 1st and 6th loops… ;0)

By: SupaGlue

SupaGlue — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:52:04 +0000

I cheat! I use instant glue also known as super glue, when the shirt or coat is brand new, before the thread can loosen. Just a mere dollop on the threads at front of button.
Use constraint, not too much glue, just wet the threads, else you may glue the back of button to shirt. Try it on an old knock-about shirt first for proper technique.

By: Elissa

Elissa — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 19:29:32 +0000

I used to work in alterations and one small method of speeding up this process is, instead of just ‘doubling’ the thread we, how to say it, doubled it twice. I’m not even sure if there’s a technical name for it. What I mean is, double your thread before putting it through the needles eye. This will require using more thread of course. I never measure 24″ specifically, I just eye ball it.
By doubling the thread beforehand, once you essentially pull two ends of the thread through the needle eye, you will have four strands rather than just two. I hope that makes sense. =)

By: Quincy

Quincy — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 06:12:54 +0000

It is really useful. My mom taught me how to sew a button as a child, but in a different way:)

Sadly I think lots of men nowadays lost this skill or would turn to their wifes for that job that they think fundamental. I think this is useful when your wife is not around or you are travelling. Very good article, thanks for sharing that.

By: C. Ramos

C. Ramos — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 23:02:42 +0000

I wish I would have realized that skills like sewing, cooking, etc. are “survival” skills. I am paying to be taught how to sew now. These are the best instructions I’ve run across for sewing a button. Thank you.

By: Marty

Marty — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:46:03 +0000

Finally, sewing a button explained. I’ve got a tin filled with buttons that have popped off. Now if I can just match them to the right shirt. Thanks