How To Fix a Button

13 Jan

in At-Home Projects, Sewing, Sustainable

One of the most common problems you may encounter with older, worn out clothes is the issue of buttons falling off or being torn off easily. While it’s annoying to realize your favorite shirt or jacket is missing a button, you should know that it’s a pretty easy problem to fix! In this blog post I will walk through the steps of fixing a button. Here are a few things to consider before you begin:

If you’re a beginner, I recommend starting with a few practice runs on spare fabric. This task can be easily mastered with just a little bit of practice.
In this tutorial I’ll be attaching a four-hole button, but the technique I’m using can be easily adapted to attach a two-hole button.
If you don’t sew often, but would like the basic tools for fixing clothes, I highly recommend purchasing a small sewing kit like the one below. They are very inexpensive and can be purchased online or in retail stores like JoAnn or even Target.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Needle (any basic sewing needle will work)
20” thread
Button (either the original or a button of similar size/color)
Scissors to cut excess thread

Pick out a color of thread that will blend in well with the garment you are fixing. If you don’t have the original button, pick out a button that looks similar to the one that fell off.
Cut approximately 20” thread. Thread the needle so that there is an equal amount of thread on either side of the eye. Tie a knot near the end of the string. It may help to tie a few overlapping knots in the same place, because you’ll want the knot to catch on the fabric.

3. Locate the spot on your garment where the button will be replaced.

4. On the right side of the fabric, poke a hole and send the needle through to the other side. Bring it back through to the right side about 1/4” from where it entered. Pull the string until the knot stops you. Trim the excess thread.

5. Pull the string through one of the holes of the button. Cross over to the hole diagonal of it, and push the needle through onto the wrong side of the fabric.

6. Make an “X” by threading the buttons in this diagonal pattern. Bring the thread up in one corner of the button and back down in the other corner, then across to work on the other diagonal. Repeat 4-5 times for each diagonal, alternating every stitch.

7. To secure the button, you will need to create what is called the “shank”. First, bring the needle through to the right side just under the side of the button. Wrap the thread 3-4 times around the space in between the button and the fabric. When you are done, poke a hole close to where the needle came up and go back to the wrong side.

8. To finish attaching the button, find a stitch on the wrong side and bring the needle under it. Do not pull the needle all the way through, but pause when you have created a loop like the one below. Pull the needle through the loop to create a knot, and pull it tight. Repeat this 3-4 times.