How to Sew On a Button – Step by Step

What you need

Simple tools will get you far:

• A needle and thread in a colour that matches the other buttons.
• Scissors.
• A toothpick or matchstick to make the thread shank.

How to sew the button on

Take it slowly, and finish off well so the button does not come loose again.

1. Thread the needle and tie a double knot at the end of the thread.
2. Sew a couple of stitches from the back up through the fabric where the button will sit.
3. Sew up and down through the buttonholes 5–6 times. Lay a toothpick on top, between the button and the thread, as you sew.
4. Remove the toothpick, wind the thread a few times around the stitches under the button to make a 'shank', and secure with a couple of knots on the back.

The thread shank that keeps the button in place

On thick fabric, such as a coat or suit jacket, the button needs a little room under it. The thread shank lifts the button up from the fabric, so the buttonhole has space when you fasten it. Without a shank the button strains and comes loose more easily.

Lost the button? Move one from a hidden seam

If you have lost a button and cannot find a match, take one from a spot that does not show – such as low on the inside or a spare button – so the visible set still matches. If you would rather not, we can attach or replace buttons for you. You order online, and you see the price before you order.

Frequently asked questions