Sewing Basics: How to Sew on a Button

Hey there fellow crafters!

I thought this month we'd take it back, WAY back, back to the super-basics. Maybe it's the anticipation of fall, knowing school and classes have started, or maybe it's the fact that a lot of people seem to have a deep, dark secret that I can't help but share...

We have quite a few people- of all ages- confess to us that they don't know how to sew on a button.

Now this is silly (and maybe a little sad- you be the judge)- but never fear! Craft Happy is here! Here's our fail-safe tutorial about sewing on a button, so take heed, make notes, and practice practice, practice!

First, here is a list of things you will need to successfully put a button back on an article of clothing:

button-sewing tools

-sewing needle
-thread
-scissors
-button

cut that thread

Now that you've assembled all your necessary tools, the next step is to thread the needle. I like to cut a long piece of thread (around 16ish inches) and thread the needle with this.

Once the thread is through the eye of the needle, make the ends of your thread match. We're going to tie these into a knot!

(ok- you kids that I've taught in the past who somehow don't know how to tie a knot- pay special attention to this)

pull the thread ends to tighten

Take the two ends and wrap them around a finger (I choose to use my pinky finger). Work this little circle off the tip of your finger, and take the two ends and put them through the finger-circle you created. Pull. Ta Da! You have a knot. Do this multiple times (hopefully, in the same place) to make a nice fat knot. Trim the long ends (but don't cut TOO close to your knot!)

You are ready to sew!

line up your button with the button hole

At this point, we need to figure out where, exactly, your button needs to go. Place the button loop or button hole over the place where it would normally line up if buttoned shut. Take your needle and thread from the INSIDE of the garment and work at it until the needle is coming through the button hole in just the place you want it.

Now, move the button hole or loop out of your way. Grab that button and stick the needle through one of the holes. Go through another hole (from front to back), and then back from the outside of the garment to the inside, where you started. I try to aim the outgoing and ingoing needle/thread at the same place, so you aren't left with crazy stitches on the inside of your garment.

Sew through the holes of the buttons a few times, to make it very strong (we don't want to have to do this again soon, do we?).

Finally, tying the knot. Breathe deep, you're almost there.

put the thread through its own loop & pull

Finish on the inside of you garment. Take your needle and go back through the stitches you can see (and maybe a little bit of the garment fabric too), but instead of pulling tight, put your needle THROUGH the little circle you created when you put the needle through the stitches. Pull THIS tight. Hooray! At this point, you have a knot. Feel free to do this another time or two to make sure your button stays put.

Trim your thread, put your needle back in a safe place (like a pincushion), and enjoy! You've learned a basic sewing step. Thanks but no thanks, mom- I got this one from now on.

Ready to take your skills to the next level? Join us for a sewing class this fall! You're so ready.