How To Sew A 4-Hole Button

Do you think sewing a four-hole button is hard? Well, it might have looked not easy, but honestly, it’s the easiest part. Most of the time and mostly in every garment, buttons are the ones with four holes.

It has nothing to do with professionalism or steps or anything. It’s like, once you get in, you already know your way out.

How To Sew A 4-Hole Button

It’s not a big task, just a few items that you can count on your fingers, and you’re good. You will need a 4-hole button, obviously, and apart from that, a thread, a needle, a pair of scissors, and you can also keep a ruler and some pins with yourself for more accuracy.

With these accessories, you can sew the button easily following the step we have further in the article. For a short instance, you need to insert the thread with the needle in one of the button’s holes and then the second hole, third, and fourth one. After doing so, you need to tie a knot to make the thread intact and cut the cord. With that, your stitching will be done!

Let’s have a detailed discussion with different methods and steps.

Method 1- Sew A 4-Hole Button By Hand

Sewing buttons can be done using a machine but let’s talk about the traditional way and focus on hand sewing.

Step 1- Thread The Needle

Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end. The length of your thread will vary on the size of your button, but about 15-20 inches should be enough.

Use a strong thread or double the string so that it is stronger. You will want this button to hold! Always use a color that matches your fabric or a color that you want to be obvious as it will be visible. Including a tail after the knot will allow you to tie the thread once you are finished, which helps create a more secure hold.

Step 2 – Hold The Button Over the Fabric

Hold the button down where you want on the fabric. Use a ruler if needed to measure where the buttonhole on the corresponding side is or will be.

While holding the button in place, push the threaded needle up through the fabric and back of one of the holes in your button. Pull lightly until your knot/excess thread reaches the back of the material.

Step 4 – Push The Needle Through The Second Hole

Push the needle through the second hole from the front of the button to the back. Pulling lightly while making sure that all of the excess thread has moved through. Remember, you want a little bit of extra space between the fabric and button to be functional.

For reference, look at one of the shirts in your closet. This is more of an issue if the button is being used with a buttonhole or clasp rather than decoration. A trick to assure your thread is not pulled too taut is to place a pin or needle between the holes on the front of your button while making your first stitch through. Remove the pin when you are finished stitching.

Step 5 – Make An X With The Thread

At this point, you have passed the thread through two of the four holes in the button. Therefore, you will be making an “X” with the thread across all four buttonholes.

You don’t have to create an “X” but rather create two straight lines, like “I I”. Whichever you choose, stay consistent while sewing.

Step 6 – Push The Thread In The Third Hole And Then The Fourth

Push the threaded needle up through the third buttonhole. Push the threaded needle down into the fourth hole (the last one without any thread through it) and to the back.

Step 7 – Repeat The Process To Push The Thread Needle

Repeat the process of pushing the threaded needle up through the first hole and down the second, and then up the third hole and down the fourth. Repeat at least two more times and then determine if it’s strong enough to move to the final stages.

Step 8 – Pull It Lightly To Acknowledge The Sew

Try lightly pulling your button to determine if you have sewn enough thread through the two holes. If it seems like it is strong enough, move on to the next step.

If you want some extra strength and space between the button and fabric, you can wrap the thread around the thread pieces under the button but above the material.

Remove the pin from the notes in Step 4 if applicable.

Step 9 – Repeat The Process

Push the threaded needle through the second hole on the front of the button down but not through the fabric. So your needle will be in between the button and fabric.

Wrap the thread three to five times, and then push the threaded needle down the center through the fabric to the back of your piece. This is referred to as a “shank” for your button.

Step 10 – Final Step To Cut The Thread

To finish, instead of going up through the hole as done previously, run the threaded needle horizontally through the backset of thread stitches two to three times in different directions to tighten.

You can also pull a little of the fabric through, as well as an extra measure of security. And finally, cut the thread with enough excess to tie and then take the two strands (or four if you doubled) and knot them together. Next, cut off the remaining extra thread. Your button is sewn!

Method 2 – Sew a 4-Hole Button with a Sewing Machine

There are sewing machines with some extra button functions and buttonhole feet. The Button Foot is used to attach buttons by a machine easily. The foot securely holds the button in place while still. Thus, providing a clear view of the stitching area.

In addition, the horseshoe-shaped rubberized grip keeps the button from slipping out of place. Finally, machines comprising only the button foot; if you boast a zig-zag stitch in your sewing device, then that would be enough for you to sew buttons. Of course, you can sew the buttons without using a button foot, but a button foot is highly convenient to use.

Step 1 – Keep The Button In Position Under The Foot

You need to keep it intact without moving. If it is a giant button then it’s okay but for the small ones, it is a great idea to take out your glue stick to stick it and keep it firm. Just a small dab would work, or a transparent tape. For some, the tape gets its job done in a better way. Ensure that the tape is not on the buttonholes.

Step 2 – Insert The Button Spacer

Insert the button spacer as you will need it so that your button has some ease to get inside a buttonhole. The button should be raised slightly after it is sewn on. If you are sewing it for decorative purposes, then you don’t need this space, but if you desire to use it as a fastener, you need to raise that between the button and the fabric.

You need not use any button spacer; you can just use a toothpick or the thin plastic scale to get it done.

Step 3 – Set The Number of Stitches

If you have a two-hole button, these stitches we discussed are enough. But if you comprise a four-hole button, you will have to repeat the other holes in the similar way you have done the previous ones. Raise the foot and change the fabric’s position so that the remaining two holes will be there beneath the foot. Always go slow.

Step 4 – Take The Thread Back To The Garment

Take the end of the thread to the back of your fabric and tie a knot with or make small stitches and cut off the thread. Finally, you are done with sewing the four-hole button easily!

What Type Of Stitches Are Used For Buttons?

Not to wonder anymore. Buttons are sewn on most frequently with the single-thread zig-zag chain stitch, the zig-zag double lockstitch, and the single-thread lockstitch. They can be sewn either by hand or on a sewing machine imitating a hand-stitched seam.

What Thread To Use For Buttons?

The buttonholes are made or stitched with silk thread. Why? The silk thread has been designed over the thick stiff thread known as Gimp. So, that would be easier to use while sewing a button on your fabric.

Some More Tips To Sew A 4-Hole Button

You need to focus on the top-stitching while sewing a 4-hole button. Like, you can choose the easy to sew fabric to sew the 4-hole button. Fabrics that are easy to sew are also easy to cut, which means your fabric pieces will be more accurate, providing a great finish.

Secondly, you can use glue baste to keep your fabric intact or tape, but glue bastes perfect for beginners. Thirdly, you need to practice top-stitching to get the ideal sew of your button. Finally, you can try out distinct thread options and stitch length on scrap fabric pieces to get the best look.

Finally, you need to adjust the machine feet to an accurate level for the excellent work done. You can also position the needle suitable as per your stitch.

Jessica

Jessica

I'm Jessica Flores, a professional fashion designer and an expert seamstress. Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years. I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills. It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.

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