How to Sew a Button

Learn how to sew a button back on to your favourite shirt, dress or pair of pants.

Equipment: Needle, thread, button and scissors.

Instructions: 

1. Start by cutting a suitable amount of thread, 40cm is usually enough. Then thread the end through the eye of the needle, and bring the two ends together to tie a knot. Depending on the thickness of the needle, you can tie two knots to make it really secure.
   
   
2. Then place the button on the outside of the garment where you want it to go. For a four hole button, it is best to place the button so the four holes make a square.
   
   
3. Start with the needle on the inside of the garment and bring it through the bottom right hole to the outside, so the knot is on the inside of the garment. For a button with four holes, make an X shape from the bottom right hole you will bring the needle diagonally across and through the top left hole to the inside. Then on the inside, you are going to bring the needle horizontally across and through the top right hole to the outside.
   
   
4. Then bring the needle diagonally across and through the bottom left hole to the inside, and then bring the needle horizontally across and through the bottom right hole to the outside. You can then repeat this pattern of the X shape four times to make sure the button is secured. Make sure that the thread is fully pulled through each time.
   
   
   
   
5. After the last repeat and finishing on the inside of the garment, you are going to bring the needle from the inside to the outside but come up between the button and fabric.
   
   
6. Wind the thread around the stitches twice to create a shank below the button, this is to accommodate the thickness of the buttonhole and ensure the button has a little wiggle room.
   
   
7. To finish off, you are going to bring the needle through to the inside and tie off the thread by creating a loop, threading the needle through and tightening. Repeat this twice then trim the thread close to the knot.