How to Sew Buttons on Shirts

Button, button...who's got the button?

It can be irritating to lose a button off a shirt or blouse that you want to wear. You pull your shirt off the hanger only to discover a button missing, and it's not in a place you can hide. With a little bit of planning, you can sew on your button in just a few moments and you're ready to face the day.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Buttons
• Needle
• Thread
• Scissors

1. Find the right button. This is easy if you remember to always put miscellaneous buttons in one place. Then, when you need one you can usually find one that is at least close enough.
   The button needs to be slightly smaller than the button hole. It also should have the same number of holes in it as the others on the shirt (2 verus 4 for example). Obviously, it should be the same color as the other buttons on the shirt.

2. Set the button in the right location. This is easy if the button has just fallen off, as there will be threads showing where it was. If you can't see where it was, simply line it up with the button hole.

3. Thread the needle with appropriate colored thread and knot the end of the thread.

4. Start by sticking the needle through from the backside (the side that won't show) of the fabric and pushing it through one of the holes in the button. Pull the thread all the way through until it catches on the knot. Hold the button still with your fingers and push the thread back down in a different hole than you brought the thread through initially. Repeat until you have gone back and forth at least 5 times.
   End with your needle and thread on the backside of the fabric. Make 2 tiny stitches next to the stitches you made to sew the button on, to make sure the thread won't work its way back through.

5. Snip the thread next to the fabric and you're done.

Tips & Warnings

• When you purchase new clothing, generally there are extra buttons in a small plastic bag attached to the item. Just get in the habit of always putting these plastic bags in the same place; when you need a button in a hurry, chances are you'll find the matching one very quickly. Hotels quite often leave small sewing kits for their guests along with the shampoo and shoeshine mitt---these are perfect for quick button replacements because they usually have a thread color that will work.