How to sew buttons with a sewing machine? You can sew buttons onto fabric quickly and neatly using your sewing machine. This guide will show you how. It will cover getting your machine ready and the steps to sew buttons, both flat ones and those with shanks.
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Why Use a Machine for Buttons?
Sewing buttons by hand takes time. It can also be hard to make stitches look the same. Your sewing machine can do this job faster. It makes strong, even stitches. This is great for projects with many buttons, like shirts or coats.
What You Need
To sew buttons by machine, you need a few things.
- Your sewing machine.
- The button you want to sew.
- Matching thread.
- Your fabric.
- A marker or chalk (optional, to mark button spot).
- A button sewing foot. (This is key! Most machines have one or you can buy one).
About the Button Sewing Foot
A button sewing foot is a special tool for your machine. It holds the button in place while the needle stitches. It usually has a space or arms to put the button under. This foot is designed so the needle goes through the buttonholes correctly. It is very helpful for getting stitches in the right place. Using this foot makes sewing buttons by machine much easier.
Getting Your Machine Ready
Setting up your machine correctly is important. This makes sure your button is sewn on well.
Putting on the Right Foot
First, put the button sewing foot on your machine. Take off the regular foot. Attach the button foot. Check your machine manual if you don’t know how. Different machines attach feet in different ways.
Sewing Machine Settings for Buttons
You need special sewing machine settings for buttons. Do not use your regular straight stitch. You will use a zigzag stitch or a special button stitch if your machine has one.
- Stitch Type: Choose a zigzag stitch.
- Stitch Length: Set the stitch length to ZERO. This is very important! The fabric should not move under the foot. The needle will stitch in the same spot.
- Stitch Width: This needs careful setting. The stitch width must match the distance between the holes on your button. The needle needs to go into the left hole on one swing. It needs to go into the right hole on the next swing.
- Needle Position: Center needle position is usually best.
- Feed Dogs: You must lower or cover your feed dogs. Feed dogs are the little teeth under the foot that move the fabric. You don’t want the fabric to move when sewing a button. Most machines have a way to drop the feed dogs. Some machines come with a plate to cover them. Look at your machine manual.
This table shows common sewing machine settings for buttons:
| Setting | What to Choose/Do | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Stitch Type | Zigzag or Button Stitch | Needed to swing between button holes. |
| Stitch Length | Zero (0) | Stops fabric from moving. Keeps stitches in place. |
| Stitch Width | Match distance between button holes. Adjust carefully. | Needle must enter button holes. |
| Needle Position | Center (usually) | Good starting point for aligning with button holes. |
| Feed Dogs | Lower or Cover | Stops fabric movement. Allows needle to sew in one spot. |
| Thread Tension for Buttons | Set to normal or slightly loose. Test first. | Too tight thread can break. It can also pull too hard on the button. |
Adjusting Stitch Width for Button Sewing
Adjusting stitch width for button sewing is the most critical step after setting stitch length to zero.
- Put your button under the button sewing foot.
- Lower the foot. The button should sit flat.
- Turn the handwheel on your machine slowly. Watch the needle.
- See where the needle goes on its left swing. Does it go into the left button hole?
- See where the needle goes on its right swing. Does it go into the right button hole?
- Adjust the stitch width setting until the needle goes into the holes on both swings.
- Test this again by turning the handwheel slowly. The needle must not hit the hard button. It must go cleanly into the holes. Hitting the button can break the needle.
This setting needs to be just right for each button.
Thread Tension for Buttons
Setting the thread tension for buttons is also important. You want the top thread and bobbin thread to meet evenly inside the fabric.
- A tension that is too tight can cause the thread to break.
- It can also pull the button too tightly against the fabric. This makes it hard to button your garment.
Start with your normal tension setting. Sew a test button on a scrap of fabric. Check the stitches on the back. Are they even? Does the button sit nicely? If the thread breaks or looks strained, try lowering the tension slightly. If the stitches on the back look loose, try raising the tension slightly. A slightly looser tension is often better than one that is too tight.
Attaching Buttons With a Sewing Machine
Now you are ready for attaching buttons with a sewing machine. The steps are different slightly for flat buttons and shank buttons. Most machines are best for flat buttons (with 2 or 4 holes).
Sewing Flat Buttons by Machine
Here are the steps for sewing flat buttons by machine. These are buttons with holes going through them.
- Mark the spot: Mark where the center of the button should go on your fabric. Use chalk or a fabric pen.
- Place the button: Put the button on the mark.
- Position fabric: Place the fabric under the button sewing foot. Center the button under the space in the foot. The holes should line up with the needle area of the foot.
- Lower the foot: Lower the button sewing foot onto the button. The foot holds the button steady.
- Check needle swing: Before sewing, turn the handwheel by hand slowly. Make sure the needle swings into each button hole. Adjust the stitch width if needed. This is very important to avoid breaking your needle.
- Start sewing: Begin sewing using the zigzag stitch (length zero).
- Stitch Count: Sew about 6-10 stitches. This is usually enough to hold the button well. Fewer stitches might not be strong enough. More stitches might look bulky.
- Stop: Stop the machine. The needle should be out of the fabric and button.
- Lift foot: Lift the button sewing foot.
- Cut threads: Pull the fabric away. Cut the threads. Leave threads about 4-6 inches long. Do not cut them too short yet.
For 4-Hole Buttons
If your button has four holes, you usually sew two sets of stitches.
- Sew the first two holes (either the top or bottom pair, or the left or right pair).
- Sew 6-10 stitches as described above.
- Stop with the needle up.
- Lift the foot.
- Move the fabric and button slightly. Line up the other two holes under the needle area of the foot.
- Lower the foot.
- Check the needle swing again by hand.
- Sew 6-10 stitches for the second pair of holes.
- Stop, lift the foot, and cut the threads long.
You can sew 4-hole buttons in an ‘X’ shape or two parallel lines. Just position the button to sew the desired pairs of holes.
The Button Sewing Stitch
The button sewing stitch is almost always a zigzag stitch with a stitch length of zero. On some advanced machines, there is a specific stitch icon for buttons. This stitch is just a programmed zero-length zigzag. The machine might make a set number of stitches and then stop automatically. Read your machine manual to see if it has a special button stitch. If it does, use it, but make sure the stitch width is still set correctly for your button holes.
Securing Machine Sewn Buttons
After sewing the stitches, you need a way of securing machine sewn buttons. You have long threads from the needle and the bobbin.
- Pull threads: Pull the fabric slightly from the machine. Gently pull the top thread to bring the bobbin thread up through the fabric next to the button. You should now have two top threads and two bobbin threads on the top of the fabric, next to the button.
- Tie off: Tie these four threads together in a secure knot. A square knot or a few double knots will work. Tie them right next to the button. This stops the stitches from coming undone.
- Optional: Wrap a Shank: For flat buttons, you often need a thread shank. This creates a little space between the button and the fabric. It makes buttoning easier.
- Do not cut the threads after tying the knot.
- Thread the threads onto a hand sewing needle.
- Bring the needle down through the fabric near the button.
- Bring it back up near the button, but just outside the stitching area.
- Wrap the threads tightly around the stitches under the button (between the button and the fabric). Wrap 5-10 times. This builds the thread shank.
- Take the needle back down through the fabric.
- Secure the threads on the back of the fabric with a few small hand stitches or knots.
- Trim the threads.
- Trim threads: If you did not make a thread shank, simply trim the threads close to the knot tied in step 2. Make sure the knot is secure first.
Using a thread shank makes the button stand up slightly. This is especially helpful on thicker fabrics or when using thicker buttonholes. Some button sewing foot designs include a small bar or “spacer” pin at the front. You sew over this spacer. This automatically creates a small space for the shank as you sew. After sewing, you pull the button forward off the spacer, and wrap threads around the stitches if needed. Check your foot for this feature.
How To Machine Sew Shank Buttons
How to machine sew shank buttons? Shank buttons do not have holes through the top. They have a loop or bar on the back. Machine sewing these can be tricky or impossible on some machines.
- Many standard button sewing foot designs are made for flat buttons. They hold the button flat against the fabric.
- Shank buttons cannot lay flat. The shank lifts them up.
Most sewing machine methods are not designed for shank buttons.
- Some very advanced or special industrial machines might have a way.
- For home sewing machines, it is usually better to sew shank buttons by hand. Hand sewing allows you to place the needle through the shank loop and secure it properly.
If your machine manual does show a way to sew shank buttons (it’s rare for home machines), it might involve a special foot or setup. But generally, stick to hand sewing for shank buttons for the most secure attachment.
Let’s assume for this guide that you are sewing flat buttons, as this is what home machines are designed for.
More Tips for Machine Button Sewing
- Test First: Always test on a scrap of your fabric with the same button. Check the stitch width, tension, and how the button sits.
- Use Stabilizer: For stretchy or delicate fabrics, put a small piece of stabilizer under the fabric where the button goes. This helps the stitches stay neat and strong. Tear-away or cut-away stabilizer works well.
- Needle Choice: Use a standard needle size that works with your fabric and thread. A size 80/12 or 90/14 is often fine. Make sure the needle is not bent or dull. A bent needle is likely to hit the button and break.
- Thread: Use good quality all-purpose sewing thread. You can use regular thread or buttonhole twist thread for extra strength, but buttonhole twist might be too thick for some machine needles or button holes.
- Button Placement: Mark button placement carefully. Use a ruler and tailor’s chalk or a disappearing ink pen. Make sure buttons line up with buttonholes.
- Practice: Practice makes perfect! Sew some practice buttons before working on your final project.
Troubleshooting Machine Button Sewing
Sometimes things go wrong when troubleshooting machine button sewing. Here are common problems and how to fix them.
| Problem | Possible Cause | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Needle breaks | Needle hitting the button. | Stitch width is set wrong. Adjust the stitch width carefully so the needle goes into the holes. Turn handwheel slowly to check before sewing. |
| Stitches don’t go in holes | Stitch width wrong or button not centered. | Adjust stitch width. Make sure button is centered under the foot. Lower feed dogs! |
| Button stitches look loose | Tension too low or stitches not tied off well. | Check thread tension settings. Make sure feed dogs are down. Tie off threads securely on the back. |
| Button stitches look too tight | Tension too high. | Lower the thread tension slightly. Test on scrap fabric. |
| Fabric moves while sewing | Feed dogs are not lowered or covered. | Lower the feed dogs! Or use the feed dog cover plate that came with your machine. |
| Machine won’t make stitches | Stitch length not set to zero. | Set stitch length to zero. This tells the machine to stitch in place. |
| Thread breaks often | Tension too high, poor quality thread, or bent needle. | Lower tension. Use better thread. Change your needle. Check that needle is not hitting the button. |
| Button is not secure | Not enough stitches or threads not tied off. | Sew 6-10 stitches per set of holes. Tie off threads securely on the back with a knot. Consider adding a thread shank. |
| Button is too tight on fabric | No thread shank made or thread tension too high. | If needed, make a thread shank (wrap thread around stitches under button). Lower tension. Use a spacer bar on your foot if available. |
Most issues come from not setting the stitch width correctly, not lowering the feed dogs, or incorrect tension. Check these first! Always test on scrap fabric before sewing on your project.
Machine vs. Hand Sewing Buttons
Both machine and hand sewing can attach buttons.
- Machine sewing: Is fast, makes stitches look uniform, good for flat buttons and many buttons at once. Might not work for all button types (like many shank buttons). Requires machine setup and special foot.
- Hand sewing: Works for all button types (flat, shank, toggles). Gives more control over placement and tightness. Good for small numbers of buttons or delicate fabrics. Is slower and stitches might not be perfectly even.
For most standard garments with flat buttons, machine sewing is a great option. For special buttons or fine fabrics, hand sewing might be preferred.
Conclusion
Sewing buttons with your machine is a useful skill. It can save you time and give a professional finish to your projects. The key steps are setting up your machine correctly with the right button sewing foot and sewing machine settings for buttons. Remember to set your stitch length to zero, adjust the adjusting stitch width for button sewing to match your button holes, and lower your feed dogs. Practice sewing flat buttons by machine on scrap fabric first. Learning how to machine sew shank buttons is usually not possible on home machines; those are best hand-sewn. Always tie off your threads for securing machine sewn buttons. If you run into problems, use the troubleshooting machine button sewing tips.
With a little practice, you’ll be attaching buttons quickly and neatly with your sewing machine!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use my regular presser foot to sew buttons by machine?
A: No, you really need a button sewing foot. A regular foot does not hold the button steady in the right place. This makes it hard or impossible to get the needle to go into the button holes. You risk breaking your needle.
Q: What is the best thread tension for sewing buttons?
A: Start with your normal tension. A slightly lower tension is often better than one that is too tight. Too tight tension can break thread or make the button too tight on the fabric. Test on a scrap.
Q: How many stitches should I sew for each button?
A: About 6 to 10 stitches per set of holes is usually enough. This makes the button secure but not overly bulky with thread.
Q: Do I need to lower the feed dogs?
A: Yes! This is critical for machine button sewing. Lowering or covering the feed dogs stops the fabric from moving. This allows the needle to stitch in the same spot (stitch length zero) to go through the button holes.
Q: My needle keeps hitting the button and breaking. What’s wrong?
A: Your stitch width is not set correctly. The needle is hitting the hard plastic or shell of the button instead of going into the holes. Stop and carefully adjust your stitch width. Turn the handwheel slowly by hand to watch the needle go into each hole before sewing.
Q: How do I make a thread shank by machine?
A: Most home machine button sewing setups do not automatically create a thread shank. Some special button sewing foot designs have a small bar to sew over, which helps. Otherwise, you can sew the button flat and then use the long threads left after sewing to wrap around the stitches under the button by hand. Then tie off the threads securely.
Q: Can I sew large buttons with my machine?
A: Yes, as long as the distance between the holes fits within your machine’s maximum stitch width. Some very wide buttons might exceed this. Also, make sure the button fits under the button sewing foot.
Q: What if my machine doesn’t have a button sewing foot?
A: Most modern machines come with one. If yours doesn’t, you can usually buy a generic or brand-specific button sewing foot that fits your machine model. Check your machine manual or the manufacturer’s website. Without the correct foot, machine sewing buttons is very difficult.