Hand sewing buttons is such a simple technique, even if you’re a beginner, and a skill you can use time and time again. Yet, knowing how to sew on a button the right way is important, if you want them to stay on! We’re going to share our little tricks with you, with this easy, step-by-step guide to sewing on a button.

1: Thread your needle

Draw the thread all the way through until both ends meet and tie in a knot. This will make your thread doubly strong.

threading your needle

2: Attach button

Hold the button in place, insert the needle into the back of the fabric, and draw up through one of the buttonholes.

hold the button in place to attach to fabric

3: Make some space

Hold a pin across the top of the button and secure in place with a stitch.  You don’t have to do this, but it creates a bit of give in the thread to allow you to get it through the buttonhole nice and easily.

secure button in place with pin

4: Sew

Pass the needle through the fabric and back through the buttons holes eight times.

thread needle through button holes

5: Strengthen button

Insert the needle into the fabric and bring it out just behind the button.  Now wrap the thread around the stitches eight times.

step 5: Strengthen button

6: Fasten off

Bring the needle back to the back of the fabric and tie off.

fastening off thread

Learn more beginner sewing techniques