Make sure that your needle will fit easily through the buttonholes in your button. Some needles have larger eyes to make it easier to thread them, but this can also interfere with sewing through small spaces.
You may also use a fabric marker or chalk to mark the position where you want to sew on the button, or use a pin to hold the button in place.
If you have inserted a pin to hold the button in place, you can remove it now. If the back of the needle feels sharp as you push it through the fabric, put a thimble on your thumb to protect it. [6] X Research source
Sewing across the pin will provide slack in the thread, which will allow the button to move slightly and make it easier to fasten.
Repeat the stitch 7 more times to secure your button.
Your button is attached!
If your machine does not have a feed dog switch, place a piece of paper over the feed dogs. This will prevent the machine from moving the shirt fabric as you sew, and then you can simply tear it away when you are finished. If you have a button presser foot, then install it now. This will help to hold the button in place while you sew. However, a button presser foot is not necessary for using this technique. [11] X Research source
You may want to mark the shirt to indicate the position, especially if you need to sew on multiple buttons. Use a fabric marker or disappearing ink to avoid staining your shirt. [13] X Research source
Even if you are using a button foot, you will still need to use the zigzag setting on your machine to sew it into place.
If the needle does not go down into both holes, adjust the stitch length by 0. 2. Make the stitch length shorter if the needle comes down outside of the hole and longer if the needle comes down next to the hole on the inside of the button.
Keep in mind that there is a risk of the button or needle breaking if the needle comes down on it. For a safer, slower sewing option, only use the hand crank to sew the button into place.
Your button is secure!
