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How to Sew On a Button and Basic Hand-Mending

Follow the steps below to sew on a button and handle a few basic mending fixes.

  1. Prepare your thread and needle

    Cut a length of thread about as long as your arm in a color close to the garment, thread the needle, and tie the two ends together in a knot so you're sewing with a doubled thread.

  2. Mark the button position

    From the inside of the fabric, push the needle through once at the spot where the button was, or where you want to place a new one, to mark your starting point.

  3. Sew through the holes in a crossing pattern

    Pass the needle up and down through the button's holes, forming an X or parallel-lines pattern for a four-hole button, repeating 5 to 6 times to anchor it firmly.

  4. Create a thread shank

    Leave a small amount of slack between the button and the fabric as you sew β€” this shank keeps the fabric from puckering and lets the buttonhole close comfortably once the button is fastened.

  5. Finish with a secure knot

    On the inside of the fabric, wrap the thread around itself a few times to form a small knot, then trim the excess thread close to the knot.

  6. Mend a small tear with a running stitch

    For a small split seam, use the same basic technique with a running stitch β€” passing the needle in and out at even intervals β€” to close the gap quickly and neatly.

Always sew with doubled thread

Buttons take a lot of stress from being fastened and unfastened repeatedly, so sewing with a doubled strand rather than a single one is standard practice. Since a short leftover thread makes tying off awkward, it's worth cutting a generous, arm's-length piece from the start.

Why the shank matters

If a button is sewn on flush against the fabric with no slack at all, fastening it pulls the fabric taut and makes the buttonhole sit awkwardly. A simple trick is to sew over a toothpick or matchstick placed under the button, then slide it out afterward β€” that gap becomes your shank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do two-hole and four-hole buttons need different techniques?

The basic method is the same, but a four-hole button can be sewn in a parallel-lines pattern or an X pattern depending on how the holes are arranged. Either way, the key is passing through each hole multiple times for a secure hold.

Does the thread color need to match exactly?

If you can't find an exact match, the closest shade you have works fine. Tying off and finishing your knot on the inside, out of sight, also helps a slightly off color go unnoticed.