Hey, everyone! I did a guest post for the Next Level Sewing Series on Bunny’s blog, La Sewista.
I keep thinking that I should do the occasional tutorial on my blog, but tutorials are so much work to put together, then when I post them to my blog, they just get buried and no one ever looks at them after the first week. There’s not much motivation to put the work in.
Then, a couple of months ago, Bunny started doing a tutorial series on Next Level Sewing. I contacted her right away asking her if she might need a guest blogger. I’m thinking that, since she’s got a bunch of tutorials in one place, a post on her blogh will be less ephemeral than a post on my blog.
I chose the topic, which is, “How to Sew On a Button.” I know, it sounds earth shattering, but I am routinely horrified about how a lot of even pretty experienced sewists sew on their buttons. Clearly, this does not bother anyone else since no one else ever brings it up, but I think maybe people will be interested to know that there is a right way. Maybe.
So anyway, head over to Bunny’s blog and check out my post!
Rolling in Cloth 
10 Comments
I’m really enjoying that series and found your tutorial very helpful and timely since my boyfriend has a few shirts with missing buttons. Now I’m (kind of) looking forward to that repair. Thanks so much for taking the time to do the tutorial. I’m a big fan of your work. (Quick unrelated question–how have you found your spoonflower fabric prints to hold up over time? Fading, etc)
Thanks! re the Spoonflower prints, unfortunately, they fade. I still really like everything I have made from those prints, and wear these garments a lot. Not surprisingly, the ones I wear and wash more often are more faded. I think this is a known issue with digitally printed fabrics. They don’t hold up as well as screen prints.
Who knew about sinking a shank button? Love all these little tidbits of info! Thanks, Claudine.
I admire your tutorial. I had never thought of using a waste knot for sewing on buttons, but it looks so sleek and tidy in your sample. You have converted me. However, I was taught as a child to cross the threads on a 4 hole button – doesn’t it make it more secure? I am now ashamed of all my shirts ;).
Please don’t be. This is what I get for letting my cranky, judgmental side off the leash. I’m sorry. You’re fabulous and I love your work. Please keep your shirts the way they are.
The prejudice against crossing the threads comes from my time at the Fashion Institute of Technology, which is a big American design school. Buttons with crossed threads are a big no-no there.
I didn’t know I didn’t low how to sew on a button properly. Now I know both. Thanks for this.
Claudine did a wonderful job with her tutorial and I know everyone learned something new, including myself! Thanks again, Claudine, for all your hard work and generosity.
Claudine did an amazing job with her post on button sewing. I, and I am sure many others, learned a lot. I won’t ever forget to sink a shank! Thanks again, Claudine for your excellent work.
I have just recently come across your blog. You do make some wonderful things & I thank you for sharing them. I am really interested in this tutorial but unfortunately it no longer appears in the original guest-post. Would you be prepared to re-post it here, by any chance? I have sewn on many buttons in my time, but would love to know how all my future ones may be better. As writing this, I wonder if you happen to have an off-the-cuff thread recommendation for sewing metal buttons on leather? Many thanks!
I just clicked on the link above, and it took me right to my post on Bunny’s blog. Try it again.
re sewing metal buttons on leather, use a strong thread (like carpet thread) and a backer button.