Sewing on Buttons

In this video Miss Sew demonstrates how to correctly place and sew on a 'Sew through' button, including how to create a thread shank, creating a gap between the button and the fabric.

[@lriveglia]

This is the most helpful video I have yet to see for placing and sewing on buttons - thank you!

[@HouseofMissSew]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment 😊

[@auggie1790]

Thank you. You sure make it look easy. What about jean buttons...what kind of thread ? Thank you

[@HouseofMissSew]

Jeans buttons are usually the type that are hammered on, so no thread required. If they're a 'sew through' button, you can use any type of thread but you may choose topstitching thread that matches with the thread used on the jeans.

[@frankjanvari8650]

hello very nice lady great video I wish you would film how to sew a button using the sewing machine please OK? thank you very much

[@HouseofMissSew]

Thank you for your feedback - I'll add this to my very long list 😊

[@SparkyOne549]

I did not know about the 3mm gap from the top. I do prefer that look, and buttons don’t slip out that way either. Thanks so much! I love your tutorials, I am still learning after many years.

[@HouseofMissSew]

Thank you so much for your comment :)

[@SparkyOne549]

@@HouseofMissSew You’re very welcome.

[@sandralark8058]

How did I not even know how to hand sew buttons properly??!! Can you create a 'thread shank' using your auto buttonhole foot on a machine?!

[@HouseofMissSew]

I think you’re not alone. Whenever I show my students this technique, nearly every one of them says that they’ve been sewing on buttons wrong their whole lives! 😂 If you’re sewing on buttons by machine it will depend on your machine and the type of foot you’re using as to whether you need to add a toothpick or other item to create the slack for the thread shank. Some presser feet have this built in.

[@sandralark8058]

@@HouseofMissSew Thanks Julia. I made a simple rectangular cape (with Flavia rescued wool and blush pink bamboo jersey, both from FG!) The buttons are along one shoulder/arm, so they hang differently to a shirt for instance, but do slip undone quite easily! The buttons are thin shell ones and the holes are parallel to the edge (I copied an Earth Squared check tweed cape design) - perhaps they need to be perpendicular instead? Or thicker buttons? (My finished item is heavier than theirs and they have smaller shell buttons) My machine is a Janome 230DC, using Satin Stitch F foot for button sewing - there's not anything in the manual about creating a thread shank though...

[@HouseofMissSew]

@@sandralark8058 You're right - you could use thicker buttons which may help to stop them coming undone as easily. I think the buttonholes you've sewn (parallel to the edge) probably look better on this type of garment and should work to hold the cape in place but I guess perpendicular ones may work better with thinner buttons. I have a similar machine and the same style of button sewing using the zig-zag foot and a satin stitch. I've not use it that much to sew on buttons and generally do these by hand but I'm going to try this year to perfect my machine sewing skills to perfect the technique and maybe I'll convert to using the machine! You could try using a flat narrow bodkin under the button that would fit in between the holes in the button and raise the button slightly to allow you to create the thread shank. I've tried this with a rounded tool like a toothpick / cocktail stick but the button moves off it too easily. I've seen others use scotch tape or other tape to fix the button and toothpick in place so this could be another idea.

[@sandralark8058]

@@HouseofMissSew Thanks for those suggestions for holding the button in place Julia - I'll try them. Oh, once you've set up the machine for your button it's so quick and easy, plus much neater (although now I've learnt how to make the first knot my hand-sewn buttons might be a bit neater!) I've not wanted to go back to hand-sewing, it'll take me forever, but the set up is fiddly. The only difficulty is lining up the position of the button with a mark that you can still see under the foot. BTW, would you use some interfacing under the buttons and/or buttonholes?

[@HouseofMissSew]

@@sandralark8058 I always use interfacing under the buttonholes and buttons, even if a pattern doesn't suggest it. I find that both areas need extra stability: to hold the stitches for the buttonholes and to hold the weight of the buttons. 😊