Button Sewing Guide: How To Sew On A Button With A Sewing Machine

Can you sew a button with a sewing machine? Yes, you absolutely can! Many people think you need to sew buttons by hand, but using a sewing machine is often faster, easier, and creates a very strong hold. This guide will show you how to do it, step by step, using the right tools like a sewing machine button foot and the correct sewing machine settings for buttons. You’ll learn how to attach buttons by machine, including how to machine sew a 4-hole button, and even how to use machine sewing to repair a loose button.

Why Sew Buttons with a Machine?

Sewing buttons with a machine offers some great perks compared to hand sewing.

It’s Quick: Once your machine is set up, sewing on a button takes just a few seconds. This is a huge time saver if you have many buttons to sew, like on a shirt or coat.
It’s Strong: A machine stitch is usually very strong and less likely to unravel than hand stitches. The machine makes tight, even stitches.
It Looks Neat: Machine-sewn buttons often have a clean, consistent look. All the stitches are the same length and tension.

Essential Tools You Will Need

To sew buttons by machine, you need a few key things.

A sewing machine (most modern machines can do this)
A sewing machine button foot (this is often included with the machine)
Matching thread (the best thread for sewing buttons machine is usually strong polyester)
A sewing machine needle (a standard universal needle works well for most fabrics)
The button you want to attach
The fabric or garment

Grasping the Button Sewing Foot

The sewing machine button foot is a small, special foot. It does two main jobs:
1. It holds the button in place while you sew.
2. It often has a rubbery or grippy surface to stop the button from slipping.

There are different kinds of button feet. Some have a little clamp to hold the button shank (the loop on the back). Others are flat with a space for the needle to go back and forth. Most common machines use a flat foot that lets you sew buttons with holes. Check your machine’s manual to see which foot is recommended and how to attach it. Using a button sew foot makes this job much simpler and more accurate.

Choosing Your Supplies

Let’s look closer at picking the right thread and needle for sewing buttons with your machine.

Best Thread for Sewing Buttons Machine

The thread you use matters. You want thread that is strong and will last.

Type: Polyester thread is a popular choice. It is strong, resists stretching, and holds up well to wear and washing. Cotton thread can work, but it might not be as strong or colorfast.
Weight: A standard all-purpose thread (like 40 weight) is usually fine. For heavier fabrics or buttons, you might want a slightly thicker thread, but make sure it fits through your machine’s needle and the button holes easily.
Color: Match your thread to your fabric or the button color. You can also use a contrasting color for a decorative look.

Sewing Machine Needle for Buttons

For sewing buttons, a standard universal needle is usually perfect.

Size: A size 80/12 or 90/14 needle is a good starting point. If you are sewing onto very fine fabric, you might go smaller (70/10). If the button holes are very small or the fabric is thick, a slightly larger needle might be needed, but make sure it fits through the button holes easily without forcing it.
Type: A universal needle is designed for general sewing on many fabric types. If you are sewing onto knit fabric, a ballpoint needle might be better to avoid snagging.

Make sure your needle is sharp and not bent. A dull or damaged needle can skip stitches or break the thread.

Preparing Your Machine and Fabric

Before you start sewing, you need to get everything ready.

Getting Your Machine Set Up

This is a key step for sewing machine settings for buttons.

Thread the machine: Thread your machine with the chosen thread. You’ll only need thread in the top. For sewing buttons, you usually do not need bobbin thread. The stitch just goes back and forth through the button holes and sits on top of the fabric. Check your machine’s manual to confirm this, but for the zigzag button stitch, the bobbin is typically bypassed or not used.
Attach the button foot: Remove your standard presser foot and snap or screw on the sewing machine button foot.
Lower the feed dogs: This is very important! The feed dogs are the little metal teeth under the presser foot that move the fabric. When sewing a button, you do not want the fabric to move. You want the machine to sew in the same spot. Find the lever or button on your machine that lowers the feed dogs. Check your manual if you can’t find it.
Choose the stitch: Select a zigzag stitch. This is the most common button sewing stitch.
Set the stitch length: Set the stitch length to zero (or the lowest setting possible). This tells the machine to stitch in place.
Set the stitch width: This is the most important setting for button sewing. The stitch width needs to match the distance between the holes on your button.

Setting the Stitch Width Precisely

Setting the stitch width correctly ensures the needle goes down into the button holes on both sides of the zigzag swing.

Check manually first: Put the button under the button foot where you want to sew it. Lower the presser foot.
Turn the handwheel: Slowly turn the handwheel on the side of your machine towards you. Watch the needle.
Adjust width: As you turn the wheel, the needle will swing from side to side. Adjust the stitch width setting until the needle goes neatly into one hole on the left swing and neatly into the other hole on the right swing. It should not hit the button itself. Do this several times, checking both the left and right swings carefully. This might take a few tries to get just right.

Preparing Your Fabric

Mark where you want the button to go on your fabric. You can use a fabric marker, chalk, or a pin. Make sure the mark is clear.

The Step-by-Step Guide: How to Attach Buttons by Machine

Now that everything is ready, let’s attach buttons with machine tutorial. This process works for most 2-hole and 4-hole buttons.

Sewing a 2-Hole Button

Place the fabric: Put your fabric under the button foot, with the button mark centered under where the button will go.
Position the button: Place the button on the mark. Line up the two holes horizontally (side-by-side). Make sure the holes are positioned so the needle, when it swings, can go directly into them.
Lower the button foot: Lower the button foot onto the button. The foot will hold the button steady.
Check needle alignment again: Very slowly turn the handwheel towards you. Watch the needle as it swings left and right. Does it go cleanly into each button hole? If not, lift the foot, slightly adjust the button or the fabric, or adjust the stitch width, and check again. This check is crucial to avoid breaking your needle or damaging the button.
Start sewing: Once the alignment is perfect, lower the needle into the first hole using the handwheel. Then, you can start sewing slowly using the foot pedal.
Stitch in place: Let the machine sew about 8-10 zigzag stitches. Since the stitch length is zero, the machine will sew in the same spot, making a strong set of stitches through the button holes.
Secure the end: Most machines have a “lock stitch” or “reinforcement” feature. If yours does, use it for a few stitches at the end. If not, you can sew a few straight stitches (change your stitch type to straight and length back to zero) off the button to lock the threads. Or, you can pull the threads to the back and tie them off by hand.
Cut threads: Lift the foot, move the fabric away, and cut the threads. Pull the top threads to the back and snip them close to the button.

Sewing a 4-Hole Button

To machine sew 4-hole button, you have a couple of common ways to do it:

Method 1: Sew Each Pair of Holes

This is the most common method. You treat the 4-hole button as two sets of 2 holes.

Mark and position: Mark your button spot. Place the button with two of the holes facing left and right (horizontally aligned).
Lower foot and check: Lower the button foot. Slowly turn the handwheel and adjust the stitch width so the needle goes into the left hole and the right hole of this pair.
Sew the first pair: Sew about 8-10 zigzag stitches through this first pair of holes. Use lock stitches or tie off threads.
Shift the button: Lift the button foot. Gently shift the button so the other pair of holes is now aligned horizontally under the needle.
Lower foot and check: Lower the foot. Slowly turn the handwheel and check that the needle goes into this second pair of holes. The stitch width should be the same as before, as long as the holes are evenly spaced.
Sew the second pair: Sew about 8-10 zigzag stitches through this second pair of holes. Use lock stitches or tie off threads.
Cut threads: Finish off the threads neatly.

Method 2: Sew Diagonally (Less Common by Machine)

While possible, sewing diagonally (making an “X” shape) is often trickier to set up perfectly on a machine compared to sewing the pairs horizontally. You’d need to set the stitch width for the diagonal distance between holes, which can vary more. Method 1 is generally recommended for machine sewing 4-hole buttons.

Knowing How to Create a Thread Shank

A thread shank is a small post of thread under the button. It creates space between the button and the fabric. This space lets the fabric it needs to button through sit neatly under the button without pulling. It’s very important for thicker fabrics or buttonholes.

Some special sewing machine button feet or settings can help create a small thread shank. Often, this involves sewing over a matchstick, toothpick, or a special bar attachment that comes with the foot.

Creating a Machine Shank (If Your Foot Allows)

Prepare: Place the button and fabric as before.
Place the spacer: Slide a matchstick, toothpick, or the special bar attachment between the button and the fabric, directly under the center of the button.
Sew: Lower the button foot. Sew your 8-10 zigzag stitches as usual. The needle will go through the holes over the spacer.
Finish: Remove the fabric and button from the machine. Carefully remove the spacer.
Wrap the shank: Lift the button. You will see the threads forming a space. Using your needle and thread (or just the threads you pulled to the back), wrap the threads tightly several times around the stitches between the button and the fabric. This creates a strong, neat thread shank.
Secure: Push the needle to the back of the fabric and tie off securely.

If your sewing machine button foot does not have a special bar or if your machine doesn’t have a shank setting, you can still create a shank by hand after sewing, using the wrapping method described in step 5 and 6.

Fixing Problems: Repair Loose Button Machine Sewing

Sometimes, buttons sewn by machine can still become loose over time, or perhaps a factory-sewn button needs reinforcing. You can use your machine to repair loose button machine sewing.

Examine the button: See which holes are loose or if the stitches are broken.
Remove old threads: Carefully snip and remove any broken or very loose threads from the button and fabric.
Position the button: Place the item under the machine with the loose button. Position the button back in its original spot (the old needle holes will guide you).
Attach button foot and lower feed dogs: Set up your machine as you would for sewing a new button (button foot, feed dogs down).
Align needle and set width: This is critical. You need to align the needle exactly with the existing holes in the button and fabric. Use the handwheel to check alignment for your zigzag stitch width. You might need to adjust the stitch width slightly to match the original spacing if it’s different from a standard button.
Sew: Once aligned, sew 8-10 zigzag stitches through the existing holes.
Secure threads: Finish the threads securely on the back.

This method works best for buttons where the fabric itself isn hasn’t torn. If the fabric around the buttonhole is damaged, you may need to reinforce the fabric first.

Tips for Success

Practice: If you’ve never done this before, practice on a scrap piece of fabric with a spare button first. This helps you get the stitch width and alignment just right before working on your real garment.
Check Alignment: I’ll say it again because it’s so important: Always manually turn the handwheel slowly to check the needle alignment before sewing at speed. This prevents needle breakage.
Use the Right Foot: Don’t try to sew a button this way without a button foot. It’s designed to hold the button and makes the job much easier and safer.
Count Stitches: Sew enough stitches (8-10 is a good number for most buttons) to make a strong hold.
Secure Ends: Always secure the thread ends properly, either with your machine’s lock stitch or by pulling the threads to the back and tying them off.

Other Types of Buttons

While the machine method is great for flat buttons with 2 or 4 holes, some buttons are not suited for machine sewing:

Shank buttons: These buttons have a loop or solid piece on the back instead of holes. They must be sewn on by hand.
Very thick or unusually shaped buttons: If the button won’t sit flat under the foot or if the holes are in a strange place, hand sewing might be easier.

Maintaining Your Button Sewing Foot

Keep your sewing machine button foot clean. Lint and thread bits can gather on it, especially around the grippy parts. Use a small brush to keep it clean. Store it safely with your other presser feet. Taking care of your tools helps them work better and last longer.

Grasping Machine vs. Hand Sewing Buttons

Here’s a quick look at the differences:

Feature	Machine Sewing	Hand Sewing
Speed	Very fast	Slower
Strength	Usually very strong and secure	Can be strong, but depends on technique & thread
Neatness	Very consistent, uniform stitches	Can vary, shows individual touch
Ease	Easy once machine is set up, needs right foot	Easy basic stitch, needs practice for neatness
Button Types	Best for flat 2- or 4-hole buttons	Can sew any type of button (shank, toggle, etc.)
Portability	Requires a machine	Can be done anywhere

Conclusion: Mastering Machine Button Sewing

Sewing buttons with a sewing machine is a handy skill. It saves time and creates durable results, especially for standard flat buttons. By using the correct sewing machine button foot, setting the zero button sewing stitch length, getting the sewing machine settings for buttons right (especially stitch width!), and choosing the best thread for sewing buttons machine, you can easily attach buttons by machine. Practice a few times, and you’ll find that machine sewing buttons is a quick and efficient way to finish your projects and even repair loose button machine sewing. Happy stitching!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can any sewing machine sew buttons?

Most modern sewing machines (electric or computerised) have a zigzag stitch and the ability to lower the feed dogs. If your machine has these features and you can get a compatible sewing machine button foot, you can likely sew buttons this way. Check your machine’s manual to be sure.

Q2: Do I need a special buttonhole foot to sew on a button?

No, the foot for sewing on a button is different from a buttonhole foot (which creates the opening for the button). You need a sewing machine button foot, designed specifically to hold the button while you sew the stitches through its holes.

Q3: My machine didn’t come with a button foot. Can I buy one?

Yes, you can usually buy a sewing machine button foot separately. Make sure it is compatible with your specific make and model of sewing machine.

Q4: Why do I need to lower the feed dogs?

Lowering the feed dogs stops the fabric from moving. You want the machine to sew stitches in one place, right through the button holes. If the feed dogs were up, they would try to move the fabric, pulling the button and likely breaking your needle.

Q5: What if the button holes are very small?

If the holes are too small for your needle to pass through easily, even a smaller needle (like a 70/10) might not work. In this case, hand sewing might be your best option. The machine needle needs to be able to enter and exit the holes cleanly on each swing.

Q6: My thread keeps breaking when I try to sew a button. What’s wrong?

Thread breaking can happen for several reasons:
* The needle is hitting the button instead of going through the holes. Check your stitch width! This is the most common reason.
* The needle is bent or dull. Put in a new needle.
* The thread is poor quality or too thick for the needle/button holes.
* The machine is threaded incorrectly.
* The bobbin area (even if not using bobbin thread for stitching) might have issues or lint buildup.

Always check your needle alignment manually with the handwheel before sewing fast!

Q7: How many stitches should I sew?

Sewing 8-10 zigzag stitches is usually enough to secure a button well. For buttons on items that get a lot of wear (like a child’s coat), you might add a few more stitches (12-15).

Q8: Can I sew a button with a shank using my machine?

No, the machine method described here is for flat buttons with holes. Buttons with shanks must be sewn by hand.

Q9: What is the button sewing stitch?

The button sewing stitch is usually a tight zigzag stitch with a stitch length of zero. The stitch width is set to match the distance between the button’s holes. Some machines might have a special programmed stitch just for buttons, which might automatically add a few reinforcing stitches at the start and end.

Q10: How is this method related to the attach buttons with machine tutorial and how to attach buttons by machine?

This entire guide is a detailed attach buttons with machine tutorial, showing you how to attach buttons by machine step-by-step using the right tools and settings.