Buttons are fun and easy to collect and come in all shapes and sizes at all costs-from one cent for a simple plastic button to $50-$60 for an antique glass button. Once you know how to sew on a button, you can start imagining all sorts of decorative uses and locations for them.
So, do you have that "nothing to wear" problem? A closet full of clothes, but you can't decide what to wear. Maybe you have several pairs of jeans, each a little different, but not quite different enough. Why not personalize them, redesign their look, make them your own with a button design! It's so easy and so, so inexpensive. Never sewed before? It's easy. Just follow the steps and attached pictures.
1. Think about what you would like on your jeans. A flower? Design? How about buttons down the side seams? Anything goes! Draw it on paper first, then onto your jeans with chalk or a washable marking pen.
2. Now browse the buttons in your local sewing, craft or dollar store. There are thousands in every color and shape - flowers, animals, people, activities, etc. Buy the buttons with 2 or 4 holes, not a shank (the little piece on the back of the button for the thread). Shank buttons will not lie flat on your jeans. Buy a needle or two and some good thread. Don't worry about matching the thread to your jean color; in fact, use different colors to add more pizazz to your pants. Mix and match - use embroidery thread or yarn if it will go through the button holes.
Okay, ready? Jeans, buttons, thread and a needle & GO!
3. Threading the needle: Practice threading first using a needle with a large eye (hole). Cut a piece of thread approximately 18"- 20" long. Hold the thread between the thumb and forefinger about 1/4" from the end of the thread so it is more stable when you put it through the eye of the needle. You may need to dampen the thread end (wet slightly by mouth) in order to make it pass through easily. Push the thread through the eye of the needle.
Buttons need a double thread, meaning two strands to make the button more secure, especially for something like jeans that you may be washing more than other clothes. Pull the two ends of the thread together at the same length and knot the ends together. Once again, this is very easy just follow below.
4. Knotting the thread: After threading the needle, take the end of the thread between your thumb and index finger. Take the two ends of the thread together. Wrap the thread loosely around your index finger, continuing to keep the thread in place with your thumb. Dampening the forefinger will help. While holding the other end of the thread taut, slide your index finger back along your thumb, twisting the threads together until the loop that is formed is pushed off the end of the index finger. A loose knot should appear at the end of the thread. Slide the loop toward the end of the thread to form a tight knot. If the thread pulls off your finger without forming a knot, try again and wrap the thread around your finger (not too tightly) a few more times. Knotting the thread may take a little practice, but once you get it, it only takes a second.
Two Holes - Begin by pushing the threaded needle through the wrong side of the fabric in the middle of where you want your first button to be sewn. Hold the button between the thumb and forefinger of your left hand (or right hand, if you are left-handed) and pull the needle and thread up through the first hole of the button. Put the needle down through the other hole and into the fabric to the back. Do this several times.
Four Holes - It does not matter if threads are crisscrossed or parallel, mix it up for more fun! Stitch back and forth through two holes on one side of the button
(horizontally or vertically), and then repeat for the two holes on the other side. Or crisscross the two rows of stitching.
Expand your creativity! Once you can sew on buttons, you can experiment with any clothing article. Perk up an old sweater with some new fancy buttons; sew some buttons around the collar of a plain T-shirt, how about sprucing up some old Keds! How about your initials on the back pockets (best to do with tiny buttons)! Go wild! Buttons can go anywhere, your backpack, your textbook cover, your jean jacket. Try some sequins in-between the buttons to add shine and glamour.
Want more information or instructions:
Check out the website listed in the Author's Section
