Tips For Sewing a Stronger Button (Video)

Cityline

I can’t believe how many people don’t know how to sew on a button! I meet people all the time who tell me they can’t sew a button. Now I’m sure they’re exaggerating. I’m sure if they really needed to, they could figure out how to thread a needle and loop it around enough to keep the button in place at least for the day.

But let’s get real. We want to sew buttons that DON’T COME OFF!! I shared a few tips for sewing a button that will last on Cityline recently, plus a great tip for hiding the thread ends when you’re done so your finished button will look pro!

Watch it here…

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Host, Tracy Moore:

Are you constantly running to the dry cleaners to sew that hem or replace that zipper? Keep your money in your pocket and check out Denise Wild’s sewing tips.

Denise:

If you’ve got a closet full of little mishaps and things that you need to fix, just like I do, I’ve got some great solutions for you.

Let’s start with a button that’s going to fall off. I’m going to show you how to sew a button that doesn’t budge.

And one of the keys to starting is to take a quadruple-threaded needle. Put lots and lots of thread through; knot it at the end, that way you’ve got the strength here.

And you’re going to take something like this. It’s filled with bee’s wax; you can find this at the sewing supply store. Just pass the thread through; this gives the thread extra strength, extra stability and allows it to pass through the fabric even easier. If you don’t have something like that, you can use a taper candle from home.

So I’m starting between the two layers of fabric if you can do that, that way my knot stays inside and you won’t see it on the back of your garment, and then I’m going all the way through the button.

The next little trick is to take a toothpick or two and put it between the button and the fabric. So now that my button is nice and secure, I’m going to bring my needle back up to the right side of the fabric. Pull out my toothpicks and what you’ll see is there’s a separation between the button and the fabric.

You’re going to take your needle and wrap it around there about three or four times, and that creates what is called a shank. So, this little gap that we’ve created between the button and the fabric leaves room for your garment to wrap around over top.

So the last thing we’re going to do is hide the thread end. You’re going to take a little bit of fabric, wrap your thread around it to create a knot, and when you pull that through instead of cutting the thread right there. You’re going to enter the fabric right at your knot and exit it about an inch or two away. When you bring the thread out over this side, when you cut it down, your threads are going to disappear and you don’t have that extra space.

Host, Tracy Moore:

See, all the good stuff we used to learn in Home-Ec; that’s why we need it.

Tags: Button, Cityline, Hand Sewing, How-To, Press, Sewing Technique, Sewing Tip, TV, Video