Job Sheet 2.

1-3

Title: HOW TO SEW BUTTONS

Performance Objective:

1. To sew buttons correctly.

2. To perform the procedures correctly.

Supplies/Materials:

 A similar or matching button (if not the original)

 Thread that has a length of 24 inches (of the same color)
 Two needles
 A pair of scissors
 A seam ripper

Steps/Procedures:

Before You Start

*Use your hand seamer to carefully remove the loose

button (unless the button has already come off).
Next, thread the needle

*Wrap the thread around your index finger and

form an X-shape. Pinch the X in between your
thumb and index finger.

*Then slide your index finger back – letting the

thread roll forward. Bring your middle finger down
in the front, pulling the thread with your other
hand.

*You’ll be left with a solid knot for your new button

thread which won’t come undone – and is large
enough to avoid slipping through the fabric.
Step #1

Starting on the back side, pass the needle through

your fabric and bring it to the front. You should be
carefully following 4 designated holes that match
the holes on your button.

Step #2 and #3

Continue passing the needle through the front and

diagonally to the back, and then diagonally back to
the front – until you form an X-shape on the
fabric.

Step #4

This newly formed X-shape becomes the precise

mark for where you’re going to sew the button.

Now place the button on top of the X-mark. Then

take the second needle and place it on top of the
button.

This is a crucial part of forming the shank (part of

the thread that’s looped around under the button
to make it secure and easier to fasten).

Step #5

Pass the thread through the back once again, going

through the first of the 4 holes on the button itself
– passing over the second needle. The string
should head diagonally toward the second hole.
Step #6

Push the first needle all the way through each of

the holes on your button. Pull the thread taut
every time. Follow the exact same pattern you used
in forming the previous X-mark.

Step #7

You’ll need to go through all the 4 holes (both

front-to-back and back-to-front) approximately 6
times.

For the first couple of passes, you’ll have to hold

the button and the second needle with your
fingers. But eventually, both of them should be
held tightly in place by the thread.

Step #8

Place a pin or toothpick above the button across

the button's center and hold it there until the next
stitch helps keep it in place.

Step #9

Once you’re done making all of the passes, pull the

first needle all the way through the back. You can
now remove the second needle – because it’s time
to create the shank.

 If you want two parallel lines of thread showing,

choose the next hole that is opposite the first.

Step #10

Wrap the remaining string tightly around the

threaded area underneath the button. You should
give it around 5-6 full loops in total.
Step #11

Step #12

Step #13

It’s time to finish the whole thing up with a few

knots. Pull the needle through to the underside of
your clothing once more.

Step #14

Push the needle back down through the material.

Step #15

Create a good knot by passing the needle through

the loop that was just formed at the back. Pull the
string tightly.

Step #16

Double-knot the thread to keep it extra secure.

Step #17

Once you’ve done these final knots, use your scissors to cut
off any excess thread.

Tips
 Some sewers prefer to secure the thread to the cloth with a few stitches
before beginning to sew on the button.
 Double thread your needle, if you want to reduce the number of times
you have to thread the holes to secure the button.
 If you are replacing a 4-hole button, look to see how the other buttons
are sewn on the garment. Use the same stitching pattern (crossed or
parallel) used on the other buttons.
 Make sure you've threaded at least 5 inches (12.7 cm) of thread.
 You can thread two pieces of thread through the needle, doubling each
and so using four threads at once, to really speed up the process.
 Another way to knot the thread at the end is to take a tiny stitch on the
wrong side, pull it almost down to the fabric, and then put the threaded
needle through the loop before pulling it tight. If you do this twice in the
same spot, that is a double-knotted thread. Then you can cut off the
thread close to the knot.
 Ordinary thread is fine, but there is such a thing as button thread. It is
thicker and stronger than regular thread. If the buttons you are sewing
need extra strength, such as on a coat, try button thread
 Button thread is often easier to use if you run it through bee's wax after
threading your needle. In fact you can even use quadrupled button
thread, which is great for overcoat buttons.
 It is also a good idea to try to match the color of the thread used on
existing buttons. Some shops specialize in buttons, if they don't have the
existing button match, they should have something very near to it. If you
are stuck with using a near match consider replacing all the buttons with
you near match, that way your garment will look much better.
 For buttons that get heavy use, try wrapping the long thread of the needle
tail around the threads that hold the button, at least 4 or 5 times, tightly,
then force the needle and thread through the tight bunch of threads that
you have created. Try pushing the needle parallel to the button's holes,
to avoid resistance. Use a thimble for pushing the needle. (The reason for
this is simple: thread wear will cause the button to fall off sooner, unless
you wrap the exposed threads with a protective wrap.) Once you have
 forced the needle through, push it back into the cloth, and tie it off with
the long tail that you left at the starting knot. When you wrap the
threads, the button will be more secure, and the thread that holds it in
place will last much longer.
 Keep back of button as neat as the front by looking to see that you are
not creating a bird nest of thread. Keep threads coming in and out at
approximately the same area.

Warnings
 Take care not to poke yourself with the needle. If you are sewing heavy
fabric, use a thimble to push the needle.

Assessment Method:
 Demonstration
 Interviews/Questioning