Apparently I really suck at sewing buttons back on. This will be the 4th time in as many months that I’ve had to sew the button back on. It’s the original button as it never falls completely off before I realize I better dig out the needle and thread again. It just seems to work it’s way loose after a few weeks. Oh well, practice makes perfect, right? Right? I’m doomed to keep sewing this damn thing back on aren’t I?
Get yourself a spool of quilting thread. It’s a lot stronger than normal sewing thread.
Is there a lot of strain on the button?
What Lissa said, plus, when you get finished sewing it on, before you cut the thread, wrap it tightly around underneath the button three or four times (you’re essentially wrapping the thread around the stitches you just made), then take the thread through to the back side with your needle and cut and knot the thread.
Well I’ve lost 15 pounds over the last few months so I wouldn’t think so. Unless of course it’s when I’m sitting, in which case the full force of my abdominal appendage is brought to bear.
I’ve been doing that but perhaps it’s the crappy thread. The first time I had to sew the button back on I went to Wal-Mart and got a mini sewing kit for 99 cents 
What freckafree said, PLUS, after you pass back to the back side of the fabric, don’t cut the thread right away. Take a couple of little stitches across the back of the button, doing a simple loop knot each time, using the needle to snug the knot up against the fabric. THEN tie a regular knot, again using the needle to snug it up, and then weave the end through the fabric in a inconspicuous manner, pull it tight so the loose end will pull itself back into the weave, and THEN cut your thread.
ALSO, when beginning, always use a double strand, with the ends knotted together. Be sure, after you’ve made your first stitch through the button, to make a good solid knot at that end as well.
I can’t remember ever having to re-sew a button on, once I’d already had a crack at it.
Hmmm, that’s way more knots that I’m using. The pants are in the dryer and if my latest poor attempt survives I’ll snip the button off and try again. Thanks for the tips
Well I’m out of black thread. I’m sure the latest attempt will last long enough for me to find the good thread Lissa recommended. Thanks again for the tips.
Sewing kit thread tends to be the poorest quality thread possible. If you have a Jo-Ann Fabrics near you, Coats&Clark All Purpose thread is on sale through next weekend. At my local store, a small spool was about $1.50 and a large, $2.40, I think. I got one of each this Saturday but can’t find my flyer or receipt. If it turns out my memory is failing me and it’s not on sale any longer, pick up a flyer at the door and use the 40% or 50% coupon in it. It’s good for all non-sale items.
My own button story has to do with a certain shirt I have. The button at the bustiest part of the bust came off (in the wash, I believe, not while I was wearing it) never to be seen again. So, I replaced it with the spare button thoughtfully sewn on the inside of the collar. That one similarly went missing, so I replaced with the topmost button, since I never button that one anyway. They’re made of a thinnish metal and I guess there might have been a sharp edge here and there in the holes. Anyway, button number three seems to be the charm, which is good because I think I’d have to buy a whole new set of buttons if this one disappears.
I agree with the good button sewing advice given here, by the way.
In a pinch, with no black thread in the house, I’ve used uncoated dental floss and a black Sharpie. Damn button never fell off. I admit that I know nothing about “proper” sewing, but there were many passes through the button holes, and surely more knots than are polite
Anytime I have to sew a button back on, I finish with a drop of clear nail polish. Works like a charm.
Each time I buy something new with buttons, I sew them on with dental floss, right over the existing stitches.
Never lost a button, yet.
I did it exactly the way you said. The ends were too short and I had to do the whole job over! :rolleyes:
If you did all the other steps, a final knot may not be necessary.
Another hint might be to not sew the button on so tightly. Whenever I leave a bit of slack (at least the thickness of the fabric around the buttonhole), I’m much less likely to lose that button again.
I only figured that out after I’d resewn a button on my wool coat approximately 1,304 times :smack:
As Anaptyxis says, don’t sew it down against the fabric. Lay a pin or another needle* between the button and the fabric, and stitch around that as you follow the instructions above. Take it out before wrapping the stitches. I rarely lose buttons a second time. At least not before the shirt is worn out, but I’ll keep the dental floss idea in mind…
*A tapestry (or needlepoint) needle is good, since it’s blunt.
I’ve also read about using the tines of a fork to get proper spacing when sewing on buttons.