Tutorial: How to Sew on a Button

There is one really important thing that often is forgotten when sewing on a button, normally there is a button hole that has to go around the button.  So the button can't be sewn right against the fabric, you have to give it a little space.  This space is called a shank.  Their are several different buttons, ones with holes, and ones without, but with built in shanks.  Those with holes need to have the shank created when you are sewing them on.  Here's a step by step how to...

1. Mark the spot the button goes. 

 2.  Place a pin over the spot to create a buffer between the fabric and the button

 3. Now take your needle and starting from the back, come up through the button holes.  To make this step faster, use a double thread instead of single.  it will be stronger and more secure.

 You should be sewing over the pin.

 Do you see the buffer?

 4. Now that you have gone up and down the holes for a while, bring your needle up through one of the holes.Remove your pin.

 5.  Bring your needle back through the hole, but not the fabric.

 6. Wrap your thread around the button 3-4 times

 7. Now tie a knot by creating a new wrap and putting your needle through the loop and pulling tight, repeat 3 times.  You are tying a knot, but you are also creating the shank for the button

 Are you seeing the shank form?

8. Cut your threads close the the shank.

Enjoy your new button.