How to machine sew a button

Although it may not seem this way, machine-sewing buttons to your garment is not only easier, faster, but also stronger. One day I had virtually five minutes to go, and just discovered that a button was missing from a coat. I found the spare one attached to the label on the lining, but I had no time to look for the needle and sew it. I decided to use the machine. It took me less than a minute (OK, I admit that I had the right thread on the machine).

I will show you how to sew a button using your sewing machine it in a few steps.

1. First you will need a special presser foot, like the one in the picture above. Make sure the holes are right underneath and lower the presser foot.

2. Set the stitch length to zero.

3. The most important part is to adjust the width of your stitching to the distance between the holes in the button. You should check manually if the needle lands in the holes, otherwise, you will surely break the needle and perhaps damage the button  as well.

4. Start sewing. If there are 4 holes, you will need two rounds.

5. Leave the thread a bit longer, than usual. You will need it to secure the button by pulling the thread to the wrong side, so that it drags the other end. When both are on the same side, tie them together and snip the excess.

OK, these were just decorative buttons. If you need buttons to actually fasten, and your fabric is thick, you will need to place a needle between the holes, just like when you hand-sew a button.

Pity you can't do the same with shank buttons...