Sewing Buttons, a Quick Guide

It occured to me that in this age of computerized, techie, ready to wear automation that the fine art of sewing on a button was one that may be lost.

Doing a little research I found that there were many queries on how to do this simple task.  You know, I think we have given up a lot in the modern day.  Activities like sewing on buttons, ironing, and even darning socks forced our grandmothers and great grandmothers to sit down, and relax for a few moments.

Whether you want to embrace the simple life or you just need a button put back on the shirt you want to wear to work…you can easily do it with thesde instructions.

Decide what kind of button you are working with.  For coats, suit coats and jeans you will want heavy duty, button thread.  For blouses, dresses, dress shirts etc. you will want a regular sewing thread.

Cut approximately 2 feet of length.  Push one end through the eye of the needle (the hole at the top) and then bring the ends together and tie a knot.  This will have the needle in the middle of the thread and you will be sewing with two strands.

Remember that you will need a bigger knot for the heavy duty thread.

1. Insert the needle into the garment through the right side of the garment.  Pull the thread tight.  The knot will be just where you want your button to cover.
2. Place the button over the knot and push the thread up through the wrong side of the fabric, pushing it through the hole in the button.
3. Push the needle through an adjacent hole in the button and down through the fabric.  For two holed buttons  your thread will look like this on top:   -    for four holed buttons it will look like either this: X  or this: =    Your choice.
4. Make about ten stitches through the holes and secure the thread with a knot on the wrong side.
5. Nice job!

image:SXC