How to Sew a Button with 4 Holes by Hand

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Learn 2 easy stitches for securing your button
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When you lose a button or want to add one to a sewing project you're working on, don't panic! Stitching a 4-hole button onto a piece of fabric is one of the easiest (and most useful) sewing skills you'll ever learn, and we're about to teach it to you. Follow along as we take you step by step through how to sew on a button with 4 holes.

How to Sew a Button that Has 4 Holes

To sew a straight stitch, poke the needle up through one of the holes, then pass it down through an adjacent hole. Repeat this stitch 3 more times. To sew a cross stitch, poke the needle down the hole diagonally opposite, up through an adjacent hole, and across to the fourth hole. Repeat this X pattern 3 more times.

Steps

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Four Hole Button
    Use sewing thread in the color you prefer for a custom project. If you're stitching a replacement button onto a piece of clothing, try to match the color of the thread with the color used for the old button. [1]
  2. 2
    Fold the thread in half and thread the ends through the eye of the needle. Moisten the cut ends with the tip of your tongue to make them easier to slip in. Pull approximately 3 in (7.6 cm) of the thread ends through the sewing needle . The opposite end of the thread should look like a large loop. [3]
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Four Hole Button
    This will be a quick step if you're simply sewing a new four-hole button to replace one that fell off, because there should already be holes where the old button was stitched. If you want it in a specific location but there are no holes for the button stitches, use a sewing tape measure to measure the fabric and pinpoint where you want the button sewn. Then use a sewing mark pencil to make a small, discreet mark where the button should go, so you don't forget.
    • If you're sewing a replacement button on a garment, check the care tag or the neck tag for a spare button stitched into it. The spare may also be stored in a small plastic bag attached to the tag.
    • If you're sewing a button where there wasn't one before, check out our guide to how to sew a buttonhole .
  4. 4
    Pass the needle and thread up through one of the button holes. Use your fingers to hold onto the cut ends of the thread dangling from the needle along with the needle itself, so they don't accidentally slip out of the eye while you're sewing. Don't pull the thread all the way through! Instead, leave some length for the next step. [4]
  5. 5
    Poke the needle down into a hole adjacent to the one you just stitched. Flip the fabric over so you can see the underside. Next, pull the needle and thread through until only a small loop is left dangling out of the first button hole. [5]
    • If you want to sew a cross or diagonal stitch, poke the needle through the hole diagonally opposite the first one.
  6. 6
    Pass the needle through the loop and pull it taut. This is a quick and easy method for knotting the thread at the back of the button. That way, you don't have to tie the knot with your fingers. [6]
  7. 7
    Push the needle back up through the first hole you stitched. Pull the thread completely through the hole until it's taut. Then, place a sewing pin underneath the stitch spanning the button holes and keep it there for the rest of the stitching process. The pin will prevent the stitches from being pulled too tight, which would make it hard to move the button in and out of the buttonhole. [7]
  8. 8
    Sew your button on in a straight or cross stitch. At this point, you can either stitch between the holes in parallel or diagonal lines, also known as straight or cross stitches. According to sewing and tailoring expert Maudy Paden, "Either way will produce a great, secure button." [8] Here's how to sew both stitches. [9]
    • How to sew a straight (parallel) stitch : Poke the needle down through the second hole, then back up through the first hole. Repeat this stitch 3 times. On the last stitch, poke the needle up through one of the other holes you haven't stitched yet. Then cross it over to the empty hole next to it, and repeat 3 more times.
    • How to sew a cross (diagonal) stitch : Pass the needle down through the hole diagonally opposite the first one. Pull the needle and thread up through one of the empty holes and cross it over and down into the empty hole diagonally opposite it. Repeat this X pattern of stitching 3 more times.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Four Hole Button
    Flip the fabric over and gently insert your needle underneath the stitches behind the button. Pull the thread almost completely through, and stop when only a small loop is left. [10]
  10. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Four Hole Button
    Make at least 2 knots for maximum security. This step will ensure the button stays sewn to the fabric and that your stitches won't come undone. [11]
  11. Watermark wikiHow to Sew a Four Hole Button
    Leave a tiny tail of thread above the knot, just long enough to prevent the knot from working itself loose as you use the button. Lastly, remove the sewing pin from the top of the button. Then your sewing job is complete! [12]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I easily thread a needle?
    Mia Danilowicz
    Master Tailor
    Mia Danilowicz is a Master Tailor who works onset and on the red carpet in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Mia specializes in bridal and gown couturier fittings, garment reconstruction, and custom design. Mia has worked at the Oscars, Grammys, SAG Awards, and Golden Globes. Her clients include a long list of entertainment and fashion industry headliners, major fashion magazines, luxury consumer brands, and popular media. Mia was trained at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and received her AA in Fashion Design and BS in Business Management.
    Mia Danilowicz
    Master Tailor
    Expert Answer
    An easier method to thread a needle is by using a needle threader. This tool is used if your thread is thick, prone to unraveling, or if you have poor vision or hand-eye coordination. To utilize the needle threader, insert it into the eye of the needle, then place the end of your thread through the wire loop of the threader. Gently pull the threader out of the eye of the needle, leaving the thread looped through it. This technique simplifies the threading process, making it more accessible and efficient, especially for those with specific challenges.
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  • Question
    In what pattern should I sew a four-hole button?
    Maudy Paden
    Sewing & Tailoring Expert
    Maudy Paden is a Sewing & Alterations Specialist based in Sarasota, Florida. She provides a tailoring concierge service, where she offers in home/office fittings and pick up/delivery for alterations. She has over 30 years of sewing experience. Before starting her business in Florida, she ran her clothing alteration shop for 14 years in Vermilion, Ohio. Maudy has a wide tailoring repertoire; wedding dressings, formalwear, suiting, professional clothing, off-the-rack, ready-to-wear, clothing repairs, and patches all fit her skill set.  In all her work, she follows the high-quality standard outlined by the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals. She received an MA in Lay Ministry at Trinity Lutheran Seminary and a BA in Religious Studies from Wittenberg University.
    Maudy Paden
    Sewing & Tailoring Expert
    Expert Answer
    You can either do a parallel pattern or a crossover. For parallel lines, bring the needle back down through the opposite buttonhole, then repeat for the remaining two holes. Alternatively, for a cross-over pattern, bring the needle diagonally across the button to the next hole, then back down through the opposite hole. Repeat this process to form an "X" pattern over the button. Both methods provide secure attachment; choose the one that suits your preference and the garment's style.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How do I sew my own clothes?
    T. Chinsen
    Top Answerer
    Making your own clothes with a sewing machine is the most efficient method. Sewing by hand is also an option. Purchase a pattern to get a guide to the materials and method of making a garment.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 4
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about sewing, check out our in-depth interview with Maudy Paden .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.allpeoplequilt.com/how-to-quilt/quilting-basics/how-to-sew-two-or-four-hole-button
      2. ↑ Sherri Miller. Seamstress & Costume Designer. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ https://www.allpeoplequilt.com/how-to-quilt/quilting-basics/how-to-sew-two-or-four-hole-button
      4. ↑ https://www.allpeoplequilt.com/how-to-quilt/quilting-basics/how-to-sew-two-or-four-hole-button
      5. ↑ https://www.allpeoplequilt.com/how-to-quilt/quilting-basics/how-to-sew-two-or-four-hole-button
      6. ↑ https://www.allpeoplequilt.com/how-to-quilt/quilting-basics/how-to-sew-two-or-four-hole-button
      7. ↑ https://www.allpeoplequilt.com/how-to-quilt/quilting-basics/how-to-sew-two-or-four-hole-button
      8. ↑ Maudy Paden. Sewing & Tailoring Expert. Expert Interview
      9. ↑ https://hellosewing.com/how-to-sew-a-button
      1. ↑ https://www.allpeoplequilt.com/how-to-quilt/quilting-basics/how-to-sew-two-or-four-hole-button
      2. ↑ https://www.allpeoplequilt.com/how-to-quilt/quilting-basics/how-to-sew-two-or-four-hole-button
      3. ↑ https://www.allpeoplequilt.com/how-to-quilt/quilting-basics/how-to-sew-two-or-four-hole-button

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