Re-sewing a suit button

[The Wingnut]

Anyone know the technique to get the knotted stand-off that's used on front closure and anchor buttons? My white dinner jacket unfortunately lost its anchor button and I've got to replace it before the weekend.

 

[KittyT]

http://www.englishcut.com/archives/000099.html
http://ask.metafilter.com/74224/Help-teach-me-to-sew-a-button-really-slowly

 

[Tango Yankee]

Beat me to it, KittyT! I thought I had that bookmarked but didn't and had to go find it. I could have saved myself the trouble by waiting a few minutes! :eusa_doh: lol

Cheers,
Tom

 

[The Wingnut]

Thanks! I'll try my hand at it tonight.

 

[The Wingnut]

All fixed! Worked like a charm. I found it easier to sew on with the matchstick under the button instead of on top of it, however.

 

[DerMann]

I don't suppose anyone has advice on how to sew brass blazer buttons? They seem to detach themselves at lease once a month.

 

[Miss 1929]

Use strong thread, a double thickness.
Put a small button on the reverse side (inside the jacket) and sew through its holes too - it will reinforce and save the fabric from getting a hole.
Two or three times through the shank, then bring the thread back out to the right side and wrap around the sewing three times, then back to the back side and tie off.
Also, check the shank of the button before sewing to see if it has any rough or sharp edges - you can sand them down with some sandpaper wrapped around a nail...

 

[The Wingnut]

Looking at the first link again, I realized that it's easier to put the matchstick on top of the button if you're sewing all the way through the suit. I had to go through one layer of fabric, since the button was on the inside and the original had not been sewn through the outer layer of fabric. This made it difficult to sew and hold the match in place, and maneuver the needle around the button...so I put the matchstick under the button, which gave me room to work. If I had been sewing through all the layers, I probably would have done it just like the example.

 

[Jovan]

Use strong thread, a double thickness.
Put a small button on the reverse side (inside the jacket) and sew through its holes too - it will reinforce and save the fabric from getting a hole.
Two or three times through the shank, then bring the thread back out to the right side and wrap around the sewing three times, then back to the back side and tie off.
Also, check the shank of the button before sewing to see if it has any rough or sharp edges - you can sand them down with some sandpaper wrapped around a nail...

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Tomasso]

Put a small button on the reverse side (inside the jacket) and sew through its holes too - it will reinforce and save the fabric from getting a hole.

I do this with my cardigan sweaters.

 

[Idledame]

You can buy "buttonhole twist" thread which is much sturdier than regular thread, but most metal buttons will wear through the thread faster than plastic buttons will. Get in the habit of checking them regularly, before or after the garment is cleaned, so you won't have any surprises or lost buttons.

 

[Miss Sis]

You need linen thread - nice and strong. Excellent for all coat buttons too.

 

[Bugsy]

I have been told that sewing buttons on with dental floss, when it won't show, is the most durable way to go. Has anyone actually done this??

 

[miss_elise]

considering you can get waxed button thread... waxed dental floss would be essentially the same thing...just don't use the minty flavoured floss...