How to Sew Buttons with a Sewing Machine Zig-Zag Stitch

Sooner or later, a sewer must sew a button on one of their sewing projects.  Using a sewing machine zig-zag stitch to sew a button makes the process quick and easy.  If you have a shirt or project with many buttons to sew, you will appreciate this tutorial!

Use the zig-zag stitch to attach 2-hole or 4-hole flat buttons.  It cannot be used to attach buttons with a shank.  

Bonus! This technique can attach sew-on snaps, bows, hooks, eyes, curtain rings, or other small flat items to your sewing projects. 

Sewing on buttons, snaps, hooks, and eyes with a sewing machine is faster and will look professionally done! 

Almost all sewing machines have a zig-zag stitch, so sewing a button doesn't take a specific machine. This method is simple enough for all sewers.

A special presser foot is recommended so the sewer can see the holes in the buttons. Two presser feet that work well are the open embroidery foot and the darning foot.

This tutorial shows how to sew a button using the zig-zag stitch on the sewing machine. If you have a Bernina sewing machine or a machine with a button stitch setting, click the link for our other page describing this stitch.

Hand sewing a button is an option, and it is and essential skill everyone should know, as buttons often fall off garments. It is easy to do with a hand-sewing needle. Luckily, many clothes come with a spare button.

Learn more about sewing on buttons with a sewing machine by watching our video or reading this article.

WHAT YOU NEED to sew a button with a sewing machine

• Garment or project
• Two-holed or Four-holed flat button
• Threaded sewing machine
• Open embroidery presser foot or a darning presser foot
• Scissors
• Self-threading needle

INSTRUCTIONS for sewing buttons with a sewing machine

STEP 1: Prepare the sewing machine to sew on a button

The first thing to do when using a sewing machine to sew on a button is to set the sewing machine to a zigzag stitch. Refer to the sewing machine manual to learn how to do so.

Set the stitch length to zero to keep the fabric in one place and not stitch along.

The next step is to lower the feed dogs on the machine. The switch to do so is usually at the back of the machine. This will also prevent the machine from moving the fabric along.

This technique requires a special foot. We recommend using an open embroidery foot or a darning foot and attaching it to your machine. Note that another presser foot can be used if the sewer can see the button holes easily.

Step 2: See if the sewing machine settings are correct for the button

Next, lay the right side of the fabric under the presser foot and place the button on top of the fabric under the foot. Lower the foot on top of the button.

Turn the hand wheel to ensure the needle will go into each of the button holes, both the first hole and second hole, as the machine runs.

If it does, the width is set correctly. If you turn the hand crank and the needle touches the button, back it up and adjust the stitch width until it goes smoothly through the hole. If the needle hits the button while stitching, it may break the needle or the button.

Step 3: Sew the button with the sewing machine

Once step two is completed, sew the zig-zag stitch several times by pressing the foot pedal, ensuring the button is secure. There is no correct number of stitches; sew until it is secured to the fabric.

step 4: knot the threads

Once the button is sewn on using the machine, cut the threads, leaving them long enough to be inserted into the back of the fabric using a needle. A self-threading needle works great for this.

There will be four threads at the back of the fabric.

Once they are at the back of the fabric, tie a small knot with the threads to further secure the button.

Be sure to knot it twice.

Finally, cut the ends of the thread close to the knot.

Sewing a four-holed button

This zig-zag technique can also be used to sew a four-hole button. Sew the first two holes as described above.

Then, move the button and sew the second set of holes similarly.

Bring all the threads to the back of the project and tie them off.

Now, you can sew buttons onto a project! Below are examples of machine-sewn two-hole and four-hole buttons.

sewing a hook and eye

The following pictures show how to sew a hook and eye with a sewing machine.  The zig-zag width must be adjusted to be smaller to go in the holes.

Use the same technique of turning the hand wheel and adjusting the width until the needle goes into each hole.

Sew each hook section and the eye to attach them to the fabric.

As with the buttons, take the threads to the back of the project and tie them together to secure the ends.

sewing a snap

The zig-zag stitch can also be used to sew on snaps. Place the snap under the presser foot and sew in the same way as the buttons. The stitch width may need to be adjusted.

This zig-zag technique can attach flat bows, jewels, and small curtain rings to a project.

I hope you enjoyed learning how to sew a button with a sewing machine. With some practice, the simple tasks of sewing buttons on with a machine can be quickly done.
 

other tips

• Machine Sew A Button: Button Stitch
• Sew A Buttonhole 
• Notions And Supplies