Make do & mend: How to sew on a button
There are a few simple little fixes that can give well worn clothes a brand new lease of life.
One easy repair is to replace a missing a button. Our friend Julia from @upcyclefashion has created a step-by-step guide showing how to sew on a button so an older child, (or you!) can have a go at mending a damaged garment so it can be worn again, and again.
What you'll need:
- a spare button
- some sharp scissors
- needle and thread
- a little helper if you have one!
How to sew on a button
1. Get your replacement button ready.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0258/8147/7195/files/step1_a2d85d76-33e2-4b24-8fef-fac1512f18d6_480x480.jpg?v=1610988602)
2. Choose your thread colour and thread your needle making a strong knot at the end.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0258/8147/7195/files/step5_14dc5413-38b1-41d0-a438-e2fc5c1d2c7d_480x480.jpg?v=1610988895)
3. Position the button on the garment. Make sure its aligned to the rest of the
buttons. Push the needle through the hole from back to front.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0258/8147/7195/files/step6_a1bb25a6-e13d-441b-9bdf-43e79d7b4f25_480x480.jpg?v=1610988918)
4. Thread the needle all the way through and ensure the finishing knot is holding well.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0258/8147/7195/files/step7_f31f28c1-b394-400a-a08b-c588094ae252_480x480.jpg?v=1610988960)
5. Now, push the needle down on the hole diagonal to the first one you chose.
Make sure the thread goes all the way through and out the other side.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0258/8147/7195/files/step8_c62753a4-6381-4f7a-887f-75df0c153614_480x480.jpg?v=1610988984)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0258/8147/7195/files/step10_f886a621-22e5-4238-8ea9-03aac7e59239_480x480.jpg?v=1610989029)
6. Thread the needle through the same hole you started with and pull it all the way through.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0258/8147/7195/files/step12_480x480.jpg?v=1610989073)
7. Pass the needle on the same diagonal hole as before.
Threading the same holes twice we ensure the button doesn't move around.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0258/8147/7195/files/step13_79bb33c3-e458-476b-928e-c54746d05120_480x480.jpg?v=1610989095)
8. Once two diagonal holes are ready, thread the needle once more on the next empty button hole and thread it all the way through.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0258/8147/7195/files/step16_f2b373c0-66f0-464a-b7de-2c4a5d45c273_480x480.jpg?v=1610989169)
9. Push the needle diagonally through the opposite hole and pull all the way through.
Make sure to do a few more threads on each side to ensure the button is held on tightly. ...
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0258/8147/7195/files/step18_e81edbb0-7a1b-4d69-8118-64ed01a3361e_480x480.jpg?v=1610989220)
10. Once finished, make a small knot on the back side of the button and give it a little pull.
If you can feel the button is tightly placed then it is ready.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0258/8147/7195/files/step19_480x480.jpg?v=1610989245)
Now your button is properly sewn on and you can wear your mended piece over and over again!
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0258/8147/7195/files/step20_d3614c0d-1a88-4516-b7d9-5b9a8489692f_480x480.jpg?v=1610989265)
..
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0258/8147/7195/files/step21_480x480.jpg?v=1610989298)
Show us your shiny new buttons @littlegreenradicals!