How to sew a button

Father-in-law demonstrated to both of us how to sew on a button. DC had asked him to help mend a button that almost came off a shirt. Yes, 1 more lesson learnt from the elder! :) Now we know how to correctly fix a button (I hope)! :P

We should have taken a video of the demo! I managed to find this video on the Net but the method varies a little from father-in-law's method. Neverthess, it's a good enough demo:

What the video missed out: Before finishing off, you need to twist the cotton a few times around the threads between the button and garment, to form a tiny column of thread (called the "thread shank") for the button to sit on. This ensures a big enough gap to enable you to do the button up.

Sewing Sew-Thru Buttons
Use a double strand of thread. Knot the end. Take a small stitch on the right side. Take a second stitch in same place.




Bring needle and thread through one hole in button. Center button over stitch. Insert needle into another hole in the button and into the fabric. Pull through.





Slip a toothpick, needle, or pin between thread and button to form shank. Take 3 or 4 stitches through each pair of holes.








Bring needle and thread to right side under button. Remove toothpick, needle, or pin.




Wind thread 2 or 3 times around button stitches to form shank.





Secure thread in fabric under button by making a knot or several small stitches.






Extra Tip:
When sewing on a shank button and a two-hole sew-thru button, the shank or the holes should be placed in the same direction as the button hole.



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