So you’re running out the door and your realize that your shirt is missing a button!
It happens, it’s ok! You can fix it quickly, even without owning a sewing machine or knowing any basic sewing skills.
Here’s a video showing how to do it, and below is a quick overview and step by step guide.
How to sew a button on a shirt, the video:
When going out:
First of all, as a mother I’m obligated to say that its a good idea to check your clothes before you go out to an event that requires you to wear a button up shirt. I know most of what you wear is t-shirts, so anything with a button up must be a little more special.
But, it’s probably too late for that now, and you’re frantically looking for how to fix this shirt button. Here goes…
Where to place the button:
You’ll see if you can identify where the old button was. This makes it easy as a starting point in placing the new button on the shirt. Often you can still see traces of the original stitches that held the old button.
If you can’t identify where the old button was sewn, then you can use the button hole to figure out the right placement. You’ll just button up all of the other buttons and then line up the button hole with the missing button area. Use a pencil to make a very tiny mark where your button would ideally lay. This is the placement for your new button.
Oh wait, but where are you getting this spare button?
Well, check the inside of your shirt. Sometimes companies place extra buttons on the inside of the shirt for you in case of a lost button.
If your shirt doesn’t have a replacement button, then you can find one in a sewing kit at the convenience store.
Here’s a link to an Amazon kit that comes with pre-threaded needles, a safety pin, and some extra buttons. What comes in the kit is typically a small button but it should pretty much match up with a standard button down shirt.
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If you’re reading this while you’re out already, just run to a convenience store (CVS or Walgreens) and they have little sewing kits there. Once you’ve bought a sewing kit, keep it in your car for the next emergency. And you may want to buy an extra and leave it in your suitcase in case you ever need it while travelling
Thread the needle:
If you don’t have a pre threaded needle, you’ll take thread and cut a piece about a foot long (12 inches of thread). If you don’t have anything to measure with, just cut a piece that’s about as long as the space between your wrist and your elbow. You want enough thread to be able to move the needle up and down easily through the fabric.
Thread the needle by inserting the thread through the eye of the needle. Sometimes when you do this, the thread will fray and make it difficult to get the thread through the opening. That’s why you often see people put the end of the piece of thread in their mouth before sewing. This little bit of moisture helps hold the thread and keep it from fraying when you put it through the eye of the needle.
Knot the thread:
You need to be sure to knot the thread before you start sewing. This way your thread doesn’t come up through your fabric. You need to knot it so it’ll anchor that first stitch. I usually create the knot in my thread by simply twisting the tail end of the thread into a tight bundle and rubbing it in between my index finger and thumb. You can see this best in the video. This simple movement really does create a tight knot that stays in place.
Start sewing:
Place the button in the correct position , where you want it to end up.
First steps. From the underside of the button and the backside of the fabric, you’ll poke the needle into the shirt and up through one of the holes in the button. Most commonly you’ll be working with a four-hole button, although occasionally you’ll have a two-hole button. (The 2-hole button
Anyways, bring that needle and thread up through the hole and pull it snug. Then you’ll turn that needle around and push it down from the front side through another hole of the button to the back side of the shirt. Obviously, don’t put it into the same first hole that you used. I like to work diagonally, so maybe place it in the hole diagonal to where you started.
Now use the opposite hole and come up again, and then again go down in the hole diagonal to where you came up. You’ll start to form an “x” shape with the thread if you’re using a 4-hole button. I like the x shape although you could also choose to run parallel stitches if you like that look better.
Repeat step:
Just keep coming up through the back of the fabric into the holes of the button and then cross shape and back down from the front to the back.
Repeat this a couple of times. You’re doing it! This is how to sew a button on a shirt. Isn’t it easy?
Finishing up:
You won’t use all of the button thread you have in the needle. You’ll feel when you’ve secured it enough.
The next step will be to knot your thread so that your button doesn’t come loose again.
Here’s how I do it. I basically make a tiny stitch on the underside of the fabric and then I put the needle through the loop I create when making the stitch. Sometimes I do this more than once, creating just a couple of little stitches or just going under the existing thread a few times.
The final step. At this point, you’ll still likely have ends of the thread left over. If some little scissors came in your sewing kit, you’ll just use those, but if they’re not there, I use my teeth to cut that extra thread as best as I can.
That’s it!
Interesting button info:
Button Placement–male vs female
Did you know that buttons are placed on the right side on men’s shirts but that they’re placed on the left side on women’s garments?
Types of Buttons
Two-hole flat buttons are great for lighter fabrics and are usually attached with the holes lined up parallel to the fabric edge. Four-hole flat buttons are better for thicker fabric, as the extra holes make for a stronger attachment.
A shank button is one that has the hole hidden in the back, rather than being visible.
I hope this helped provide a quick fix if you find yourself needing to sew a simple button on to your favorite shirt. These basic techniques can save you time and money. After all, you don’t need a new shirt or a professional tailor. Just 5 minutes and a sewing kit!
Now that your button is fixed, I’m sure you look amazing! And now you know how to sew a button on a shirt!
Have a great time wherever you’re going!
View more tutorials from Mom from the home page.
And if you’re interested in other tutorials regarding home decor or investing in home flipping, you can visit me on my main site at MarciaSocas.com
