Learning how to sew a button back on takes about five minutes once you know the steps, and you only need a needle, some matching thread and the button itself. Thread a doubled length of thread, anchor it to the fabric with a small stitch, then sew back and forth through the button’s holes six to eight times before tying off underneath. The exact method changes slightly depending on whether you’re dealing with a 2-hole, 4-hole or shank button, which we’ll cover one at a time below, along with the small tricks that stop a button falling off again within a week.
What you need before you start
You don’t need a sewing machine or a big kit to sew on a single button. A needle, thread that roughly matches your fabric colour, small scissors and the button itself will cover almost every job. A basic haberdashery sewing kit from somewhere like Hobbycraft or Wilko typically costs somewhere between £3 and £15 depending on how many extras it includes, and it’s a sensible one-off buy if you don’t already own a needle and thread.
If you’ve lost the original button, check inside the garment first. Many shirts and coats come with a small spare button sewn to an inside seam or hem, specifically for this situation.
How to sew a button with 2 or 4 holes
This is the method most people are looking for when they search how to sew a button, since flat buttons with holes are by far the most common type on shirts, coats and trousers.
- Cut a length of thread around 45 to 60cm long, then thread it through your needle so both ends meet, giving you a doubled thread for extra strength.
- Tie a small knot at the joined ends so the thread won’t pull through the fabric.
- Push the needle up from the wrong side of the fabric at the exact spot the button needs to sit, so the knot ends up hidden on the inside.
- Sew a tiny stitch or two on the same spot to anchor the thread before you introduce the button, effectively creating a small “X” or dot to work from.
- Place the button over the anchor point, then bring the needle up through one hole from underneath.
- Lay a spare pin, matchstick or toothpick across the top of the button, between the two holes you’re using, before you continue stitching. This creates a small gap called the “shank” once you remove it, which stops the button sitting too tight against the fabric and makes it easier to do up.
- Sew down through the opposite hole and back up through the first, repeating this six to eight times for a 2-hole button. For a 4-hole button, do the same for one pair of holes, then repeat for the second pair, either in parallel lines or a criss-cross pattern.
- Remove the pin or matchstick, then pull the button gently away from the fabric to create some slack in the stitches underneath.
- Wrap the thread around those underneath stitches three to five times to build the thread shank properly, then push the needle through to the wrong side of the fabric.
- Tie off with a small knot close to the fabric, then trim the excess thread.
Getting the tension right
A button sewn on too tightly will sit flat against the fabric and struggle to fasten properly, while one sewn too loosely will wobble and come off again quickly. The pin or matchstick trick in step 6 solves most of this problem on its own, so don’t skip it even though it feels like an extra step.
How to sew on a shank button
Shank buttons don’t have visible holes through the front. Instead, they have a small loop underneath, usually made of metal or plastic, and the method is slightly different.
- Thread and knot your needle the same way as above, with a doubled length of around 45 to 60cm.
- Bring the needle up from the wrong side of the fabric at the button’s position.
- Slide the needle through the shank loop, then push it back down into the fabric right next to where you came up.
- Repeat this six to eight times, keeping each stitch close together so the button sits securely and doesn’t swivel.
- On your final pass, bring the needle up through the fabric but not through the shank, then wrap the thread around the stitches beneath the shank a few times for extra strength.
- Tie off underneath with a small knot and trim the thread.
Using a sewing machine instead of hand-sewing
If you’re working on several buttons at once, or you’d rather avoid hand-sewing altogether, most home sewing machines can reattach a flat button. Set your machine to a zigzag stitch with a width matched to the distance between the button’s holes, and drop the feed dogs or set the stitch length to zero so the fabric doesn’t move under the needle. Tape the button in place first to stop it shifting, then turn the handwheel manually for the first stitch or two to check the needle is lining up correctly with both holes before letting the machine run. This works well for flat buttons but isn’t suitable for shank buttons, which still need to be done by hand.
Common mistakes that make a button fall off again
A few small errors account for most repeat repairs. Using a single strand of thread instead of a doubled one is the biggest one, since it roughly halves the strength of every stitch. Skipping the pin or matchstick step is another, since a button sewn flat against the fabric puts far more strain on the thread every time it’s fastened.
Not anchoring the thread properly at the start is a third common issue: a knot that’s too small can simply pull through thin fabric, taking your stitching with it. Finally, using thread that doesn’t match the fabric’s fibre type (a very fine thread on thick denim, for instance) tends to snap sooner than thread matched to the weight of the material.
FAQS
How do you sew a button by hand for beginners?
Thread a doubled length of matching thread around 45 to 60cm long, anchor it with a small knot and stitch on the fabric, then sew through the button’s holes six to eight times using a pin or matchstick underneath to keep the tension loose, before wrapping and tying off underneath.
How much thread do you need to sew on a button?
Around 45 to 60cm of thread, doubled through the needle, is enough for one button with room to spare for tying off securely.
What is the pin trick when sewing a button?
Placing a pin, matchstick or toothpick across the top of the button while you stitch creates a small gap underneath once removed, stopping the button sitting too tightly against the fabric and making it easier to fasten.
Can you sew a button on with a sewing machine?
Yes, for flat 2-hole or 4-hole buttons. Use a zigzag stitch matched to the hole spacing, drop the feed dogs, and turn the handwheel by hand for the first stitch to check alignment before running the machine.
How many times should you stitch through a button?
Six to eight passes through each pair of holes is generally enough for a secure, long-lasting repair without making the button too stiff to use.
What’s the difference between a shank button and a flat button?
A flat button has two or four holes stitched directly through the front, while a shank button has a loop underneath that you sew through instead, with no visible stitching on the front of the button.
Why does my sewn-on button keep falling off?
The most common causes are using a single thread instead of doubled thread, skipping the spacer trick that gives the button room to move, or not anchoring the starting knot firmly enough on thin fabric.
