How to sew a button on shorts: a guide
Sewing on a button is a simple and practical skill that can help you extend the life of your clothes. Follow the steps below to attach a button securely to your shorts.
Materials you need
- A button (new or loose).
- Needle and thread (use a thread that matches the shorts or button).
- Sax.
- Possibly a sewing chalk or pencil to mark the location.
- (Optional) A thimble if you need extra protection.
Step 1: Preparation
- Place the shorts on a flat surface: Identify where the button should be. If the button has come off, you can often see traces of the old stitches.
- Mark the location (if necessary): Use a sewing crayon or a pencil to mark the buttonhole or the correct position of the button.
Step 2: Thread the needle
- Select thread: Cut a piece of thread about 40-50 cm long. Double thread the needle by pulling the thread through the eye of the needle and tying the ends in a knot.
- Safety tips: If the thread is too long, it can get tangled, so avoid using too much thread.
Step 3: Attach the thread to the shorts
- Stick the needle from the inside of the shorts to the outside, where the button should be.
- Pull through until the knot stops.
Step 4: Sew on the button
- Place the button: Put the button in the right place, hold it in place with your fingers.
- Sew through the holes:
- If the button has four holes: Sew diagonally (corner to corner) for extra strength, or straight across (parallel lines).
- If the button has two holes: Sew back and forth through the holes.
- Make 4-6 stitches per hole: Tighten the thread after each stitch so that the button is firmly in place, but not so tight that it cannot move.
- Create a wire "trunk" (for buttons that need room to move):
- Once you have sewn through the holes enough times, wrap the thread a few turns around the stitches under the button. This creates a gap that allows the shorts to be buttoned comfortably.
Step 5: Attach the thread
- Insert the needle through the fabric near the button and do not pull the thread all the way through, leave a small loop.
- Insert the needle through the loop and tighten to create a knot. Repeat 2-3 times to secure the thread.
- Cut off excess thread near the knot.
Step 6: Check the work
- Check that the button is securely attached and that it works with the snap hole.
