Sewing on a button may seem elementary and it is simple, but there are some tricks you should know about button sewing.

Button placement

To find the correct spot to place your buttons, lap your garment edges once you have made the buttonholes. Match centers. For a horizontal buttonhole, put a straight pin straight down ⅛ inch from the buttonhole end. For a vertical buttonhole, place your pin ⅛ from the buttonhole top.

Sew-through button:

Take a tiny stitch at the spot where you will sew the button. Put a wooden match or a toothpick on top of the button so that a thread shaft will be formed as you sew; sew through the button’s holes several times and then remove the pick or match. Now, tightly wrap your thread around the thread under the button; this will form a strong thread shank, so that the constant on and off movement of buttoning and unbuttoning the garment won’t cause the button to come off. Finish by anchoring your thread with a few stitches.

Shank button:

Begin in the same manner as for a sew-through button, taking a little stitch to anchor the thread. Sew the button to the fabric with several small stitches and secure the thread.

Reinforcement buttons:

Sometimes it is a good idea to reinforce a button on a delicate fabric with a reinforcement button. Use a little, flat button and put it inside your garment. Sew through both buttons at the same time and fasten off as usually. If you are sewing a sew-through button in this way, don’t forget to form your thread shank by sewing over a toothpick or match as explained above.