How to Sew a Button with 4 Holes by Hand

Learn 2 easy stitches for securing your button

Co-authored by Sherri Miller and Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: July 10, 2025 Fact Checked

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.

1

Cut 2 ft (0.61 m) of thread with scissors.

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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]
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- Seamstress and costume designer Sherri Miller recommends using "button thread or a thicker thread" if you're sewing a button onto a blazer or another piece of clothing.^{[2]
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  Sherri Miller
  Seamstress & Costume Designer
  
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- Sewing scissors are the best tool for cutting thread so it doesn't fray!

2

Thread the ends through the needle.

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Fold the thread in half, then pull about 3 in (7.6 cm) through the needle. Moisten the cut ends of the thread with the tip of your tongue to make them easier to slip into the eye of the needle. The opposite end of the thread should look like a large loop.^{[3]
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3

Place the button where you want it on the fabric.

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Place it where a past button was stitched, or measure for a new spot. If you're simply sewing a new four-hole button to replace one that fell off, simply position the button on the hole where the old one was. 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

Pass the thread up through one of the button holes.

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Use your fingers to hold onto the cut ends of the thread dangling from the needle along with the needle itself as you pass both needle and thread through the hole, so they don't accidentally slip out of the eye while you're sewing. Be sure to leave some length for the next step.^{[4]
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5

Poke the needle into a hole by the one you just stitched.

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Flip the fabric over, then pull the needle and thread through. Turn the fabric over so you can see the underside, then pull both needle and thread down through the fabric until only a small loop is left dangling out of the first button hole.^{[5]
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- If you want to sew a cross or diagonal stitch, poke the needle through the hole diagonally opposite the first one.

6

Pass the needle through the loop and pull it taut.

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When you pass the needle through the loop and then pull it tight, it will automatically knot the thread behind the button; this way, you don't have to tie the knot with your fingers.^{[6]
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7

Push the needle up through the first hole you stitched.

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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]
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8

Sew your button on in a straight or cross stitch.

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Stitch between the holes in parallel or diagonal lines. These sewing styles are also known as straight or cross stitches. According to sewing and tailoring expert Maudy Paden, "Either way will produce a great, secure button."^{[8]
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Maudy Paden
Sewing & Tailoring Expert

Expert Interview} Here's how to sew both stitches.^{[9]
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- 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

Pass the needle under the threads below the button.

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Insert your needle below the stitches behind the button, then pass the needle below the crisscrossing threads. Pull the thread almost completely through, and stop when only a small loop is left.^{[10]
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10

Poke your needle through the loop to tie a knot and repeat.

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This step will ensure the button stays sewn to the fabric and that your stitches won't come undone.^{[11]
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11

Cut the remaining thread.

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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. Unpin 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.

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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.

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