How to Sew on Removable Buttons

Removable buttons do not work on women's coats due to the coat design.

Removable buttons provide a way to press a uniform jacket without working around the buttons, and also a way to simplify altering jacket size without making individual holes in the jacket for each button. Removable buttons are added to a garment by sewing a fabric button strip, matching the jacket, to the edge of the jacket where the individual buttons would normally be placed. If the strip is properly attached, the buttonholes will completely hide the button strip.

Things You'll Need

• Hanger (optional)
• Ruler
• Tailor's chalk pencil
• Removable button strip, color matched to the jacket
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine threaded with black or navy blue thread

Instructions

1. Hang the jacket with the shoulders squared and the tops of the pockets aligned, or spread the jacket neatly on a table. Place a ruler across the tops of the pockets to check if they are straight and make any necessary adjustments.

2. Close the jacket, line up the buttonholes with the new button placement. The marks can either expand the jacket slightly, or take it in depending on the wearer's needs.

3. Poke the tip of the tailor's chalk pencil through each button-hole, and lightly mark the length of each button-hole.

4. Fold the side of the jacket with button-holes out of the way, and line the ruler up so it is centered and running up the jacket's mid-line.

5. Take the buttons out of the strip, position the strip over the marked side of the jacket, lining up the empty holes made by the buttons and the chalk marks.

6. Cut the strip 1/2 inch above the top button-hole, and 1 inch below the bottom button-hole.

7. Position the strip on the jacket, pin the strip down with straight pins, and top-stitch 1/8 inch from the edge of the strip, along the edge away from the opening and closest to the sleeve.

8. Set the sewing machineon a medium-length stitch. Sew horizontally across the strip on each end and center a line of stitches between each button hole.

9. Remove the pins and replace the buttons.

Tips & Warnings

• The fabric strips for removable buttons are prepared with a fold, so a single line of top-stitching completes both the seam the finished edge.

• Do not sew both sides of the fabric strip to the jacket, or you will not be able to insert the removable buttons. Also, be extra careful to sew the strip on the side away from the opening, closest to the sleeve. If you sew the wrong side the strip will cause gaps between the button-holes.

References

• Marlow White: Button Strip Instructions
• Sewing & Craft Alliance: Top-Stitch