Machine Sewing Buttons

D Vautier
1/2023

I think that once you machine sew a button you will probably never hand sew one again.  Of course this is not saying much because for many years I usually just used a safty pin anyway (until my eyes were opened).  In any case, there is something profound about sewing buttons.  It's the accomplishment more than the act.  It's the shear, objective, sexless, simple, fulfilling, practical accomplishment of it all.

I like 4-eyed buttons.  The 4-eyed button has an advantage over 2-eyed buttons because there are different ways to sew it; parallel or cross-ways or a combo, and it is a lot stronger to boot.  But some machines may not be able to zig more than 3/16th inch which is a little more than the cross distance of a standard button.  I like to parallel sew them where the distance is at or near a more comfortable 1/8th and 3/16th inch and the alignment is way easier.  The scale at right shows that 3/16 is real close for parallel button sewing.  

All you need is a zig-zag machine and a dropping feed dog.  Mount a clear plastic zig-zag foot and do a test to get a 3/16 zig (which is 4.5 on my machine dial).  When you have a close fit, drop the feed dog, raise the foot and place the button and material squarely under the foot.  I found out its easier to start with the front left eye.  Once the needle is adjusted on the eye, it should be able to do the other eye when it zags.  Run 8 or 10 stitches very slowly.  Now move the button directly forward without breaking thread and do the back two eyes.  Remove the work.

As with all sewing runs you get 4 loose ends; two starting, two ending (on top and bottom).  The two starting threads are locked so just snip them.  Now you wiggle the bottom ending thread to get your last loop.  Pull the loop through and and get the top thread.  Tie and snip the two.  Job done.