How to Sew on a Button by Machine

by erika on May 28, 2010

Sewing on buttons. The final step in many garments. The point where you might be thinking, "Hand-sewing?! I just want to be done!" Can sewing on buttons be made faster? Of course... do it by machine! Here are the steps to "Git 'er done".

First, remove your presser foot and lower the feed dogs on your sewing machine. Select a zigzag stitch that is as wide as the distance between the holes on your button, or choose Button from your Sewing Advisor. You may wish to use a size 60 or 70 needle if the holes on the button are very small. A finer needle will pass through more readily.

Place the button on your garment. Position the button under the ankle of your sewing machine and lower the presser foot. You want the ankle to land on top of the button and clamp it in place while it is being sewn.

Make sure you have long tails on your upper and lower thread. Slowly turn the hand wheel towards yourself. As the needle comes down check to see that it is going to land in the hole of the button. If necessary, reposition the button or make the zigzag wider. Continue to turn the hand wheel to form the first stitch. Keep turning and confirm that the needle will pass through the other hole safely.

Once you know that the button is positioned accurately, you can use your foot control to complete the sewing. Cut long tails when you finish, pull them through to the back and tie them off. You may wish to secure them with a dot of Fray Block. And you're done!

To sew a button with a shank, follow the above steps, but this time place a button reed between the button and the fabric. A button reed has various levels to allow you to make thread shanks of different sizes.

If you have a Husqvarna Viking, you will love the Button Sew-On Foot with Placement Tool. Instructions on using it may be found here. When you use this foot, the button is automatically placed in the right spot for sewing. A sliding button moves a retractable thread shank guide. I just love this foot! I used it exclusively when sewing the buttons on our Button penny Rug.

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