How to sew a button is a life skill we all need to know.
Here is the thing. It doesn’t matter if you are a Guy, a Girl, a 14-year-old boy or girl. At some point in your life, you are going to need to know how to sew a button.
Maybe that time is right now. And that is why you are here today.
I am glad!! Let’s get into button sewing 101.
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WARNING: This tutorial comes with an unnecessary introduction of my own reflection and introspection that nobody really asked for.
But is funny!
As you might already read on the intro of this article this post is not directed only to my lovely seamstress audience.
I wanted, and I truly hope this humble message gets to a lot of readers.
Because I woke up with a reflective mind today. And it all came down to a button.
But if you want to skip the gossip and go straight to the tutorial be my guest 😉
The importance of knowing how to sew your own darn Buttons.
All right, all right!!
As I said in my Instagram story yesterday, this tutorial might come with a little romantic or dramatic point of view and reflection.
But sometimes life is like that.
A lot has changed in the past couple of decades. The roles of a household and the task of each member of a family changed and is still changing not stop.
When at some point of history men would go to work and make the money. Wife would stay at home and took care of the children, food, mending, cleaning and… Well, you know where I am going with this.
But today… Oh, Sandra!! Today “we young people” have it all!!
Women can go out to be CEOs while hubby stays at home. Or both will have jobs. Some might be staying at home moms/dads. There’s entrepreneurs, small businesses, weird and alternative ways to make money no one ever thought before.
Because there are no more barriers. Because we have rights, technology at the point of our fingers, opportunities and a drive that make wonders!!
And in all of this, we forgot.
We forgot we still need the basics to survive.
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The Forgotten Basic Skills
Nobody told me.
When I was growing up and I was told I could be anything I wanted, that I would also need to learn how to take care of myself.
In every way.
I was born and raised with amazing security and self-love, confidence in the fact that I would be the best at whatever I wanted and break barriers.
And at my teen years, I was decided to live by that expectations and standards.
Up to the point where I refused to wear anything pink or look ladylike. (don’t worry I am clearly over that stage now) Because that was the expected color for a woman.
And along with this ridiculous example was the theme of cooking.
Recommendation for this tutorial:
Why should the women have to be the one who cooked?
I hate cooking! Everyone that knows me is aware of this. And not only I hate it, but I am also terrible at it.
I am the kind of person the can burn water.
In fact, I am writing this as I pull out of the oven a delicious burned and uncooked (my specialty) freaking cauliflower.
And the thing was that I was so focused on being the best at my career and life goals that I thought cooking was a waste of my time.
And sorry Dafhtne, but that is just plain stupid.
I am sitting here alone in my house starving. Waiting for hubby to come from work and help me fix my mistake.
All because I refuse to learn a basic skill in life: feed myself.
Because hubby won’t be able to make dinner every day and I can’t survive on pre-cooked meals, fast food, and instant noodles.
It doesn’t matter if you are a man, a woman or a dolphin.
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We all need to know the basics.
If you are reading this article because a button just dropped out of your shirt and mommy or wifey is not near you to help because she is rocking the world elsewhere…
Awesome. You just signed up to learn a basic skill that will help you to stand up for yourself.
Today you will be able to say: I am an “insert job description here” and I can sew my own darn buttons.
And this is the end of my reflection for today. Let’s get to the tutorial.
How to Sew a Button (Video Tutorial)
Today I am going to teach you a simple way to sew 3 types of buttons:
-Skip to the step by step picture tutorial.-
How to sew a button general instructions:
- Thread a needle with about 8” long thread and make a knot at the end.
- Pass the needle through from the top to the bottom and up again. This should leave a very small dot (stitch) at the back.
- Insert the needle to one of the holes to the button to the next one and repeat step 2. Do this 5-6 times.
- Wrap the thread under the button to make a space between it and the fabric.
- Make a double knot under the button.
Pstt… Buy 800 buttons on Amazon for oh so cheap!!
How to sew a 4 Hole Button Tutorial
4 Hole Buttons are mostly used in Button Down Shirts, especially for Men. This button is a flat type and is the most common one next to the 2 hole button. Materials are mostly acrylic, metal, and wood and you can find them in any kind of colors. They are easy to sew by hand, but you can also use your sewing machine to do so.
- Thread a Needle of about 8″ thread length and pass it through the top of the fabric to the back and up again.
- Make sure that the stitch at the back remains small like a dot, so it would look cleaner.
- Place a toothpick or a big needle between the button and the fabric. Pass the needle through the top right hole to the bottom left hole. Repeat 2 or 3 times. And then do the same with the other 2 holes.
- Remove the big needle and wrap the thread around the bottom of the button 6 times.
- Make a knot under the button.
How to sew a 2 Hole Button Tutorial
2 Hole Buttons are more used in women garments, such as blouses, dresses, and even button-down shirts. They appear to be more delicate and also come in a variety of colors and materials. The best way to sew a 2 hole button is to sew the thread horizontally like in the picture. This will give it more stability and strength.
- Pass your threaded needle through the top of the fabric to the back and up again.
- Check that you only leave a small stitch on the back like a dot.
- Place a big needle between the button and the fabric and sew the button passing the thread from one hole to the other horizontally around 5 times.
- Wrap the thread around the button 4-5 times
- Make a knot under the button
How to sew a Shank Button Tutorial
Shank buttons have a loop under them, so the thread won’t be visible on the front of the button. These are mostly used for women blouses and dresses but you can also see them on a bigger version on coats, pants and more.
- Again here you’ll have to thread your needle and pass it through the front of the fabric all the way to the back and front again.
- Pass the needle to the loop of the button and repeat step one and two for about 6 times.
- Making sure your button is standing straight, make a knot at the bottom of the button.
I really hope you enjoyed this tutorial as much as I enjoyed putting my “philosopher” thoughts into it.
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