Reattaching a button is one of the most useful hand-sewing skills and takes only a few minutes once you know the steps. This covers a standard flat button with two or four holes, so it stays put through plenty of use.
What you'll need
- A needle
- Thread matching the garment
- The button
- Scissors
Step by step
- Thread and knotCut about 60 cm of thread, pass it through the needle, and bring the ends together so you sew double. Tie a knot at the end of the doubled thread.
- Anchor the threadFrom the back of the fabric, push the needle up through where the button belongs and pull until the knot catches. A small stitch here locks it in place.
- Position the buttonHold the button over the spot and bring the needle up through one hole. Rest a matchstick or toothpick on top between the holes to keep a little slack.
- Stitch through the holesSew down through the opposite hole and back up, repeating six to eight times. For a four-hole button, make an X or two parallel bars across the pairs.
- Create the shankRemove the matchstick, lift the button, and wrap the thread several times around the threads under it. This shank gives room for the fabric to sit when buttoned.
- Knot and trimPush the needle to the back, tie off with two small knots against the fabric, and snip the excess thread close to the knot.
Handy tips
- Doubling the thread makes the button far more secure and saves time.
- The matchstick spacer creates a small shank so a thick fabric can close without straining the button.
- Save spare buttons that come with new clothes; they are the easiest exact match if one is lost.
FAQ
Why does my button pull the fabric tight?
It has no shank. Leave a little slack by stitching over a matchstick, then wrap the thread underneath so the button sits slightly proud of the fabric.
How many times should I stitch through a button?
About six to eight passes through the holes is plenty to hold firmly without bulking up the thread. More than that adds little strength.
What if I don't have matching thread?
A close colour works fine, and for many buttons a neutral like grey or a shade near the fabric is barely noticeable once sewn.