Sewing buttons is one of those sewing tasks that can take some time and can be greatly improved when using a sewing machine to do the work for you. If you would like to see how easy it is to sew your buttons on by machine, please check out this tutorial and video. Check your sewing machine manual to see if yours specifies how to do this on your model. For the purpose of this tutorial I will be showing you how to sew on a button by machine using my Pfaff Quilt Ambition 630. (My vintage Pfaff had the same capability without the automatic play button, but it was still quite simple to do).
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Buttons!! Oh so fun to add to your garments and now even easier to attach using your machine. Here is what you need to do to get started attaching buttons by machine. The video contains the full tutorial, but it is also listed by steps below.
Supplies to Sew Buttons by Machine:
- Scotch Tape to hold buttons
- Thread for machine – my favorite
- Buttons for your project- I love Tabitha’s buttons as seen on my green dress
- Optional Button Foot
- Machine – I use this model
How to Sew Buttons on By Machine
- Prepare your machine by lowering the feed dogs (this switch is located under the free arm attachment on the back of the machine on the Pfaff 630). Remove the presser foot (simply push down on the foot on the Pfaff 630 model). And select the button sewing stitch which is number 39 on my model.
- Place your buttons on your garment in the place you would like them to be sewn. Secure your buttons in place by using a piece of scotch tape.
- Take your taped buttons and fabric to the machine. Place the button under the presser foot holder. Using the hand wheel, make sure the needle will drop in the holes at the right location. Make adjustments to the width of the stitch as needed to fit the holes. You can also adjust the number of stitches using the + and – buttons on the machine.
- When your needle is aligned, press the play button or push the pedal to begin to sew. The machine will stitch the button on, tie off and stop when completed.
- Simply move on to the next button (I leave the thread attached and trim at the end) and repeat the same steps until all buttons are attached. If you have 4 holes in your buttons, you will need to turn the garment in the opposite direction you originally sewed and go back down the buttons from the other side, sewing the other 2 holes.
- Trim the threads, if desired you can pull the thread to the back of the garment using a needle and tie it in the back before snipping.
- Admire your beautiful buttons and pat yourself on the back for saving yourself some time!
This method is really so simple and quick. The buttons on this black top took no longer than 5 minutes to attach. That is 7 buttons sewn up in a jiffy and they look way cleaner on the inside than I can personally achieve sewing by hand. I hope you found this tutorial helpful. If you enjoyed this tutorial you may enjoy these videos:
Thank you for reading – Until next time,
Happy Sewing
About 18 years ago I decided to teach myself how to sew. Long before blogs and resources available today which meant it was often disastrous. But I never gave up because I loved it so much. Today I love helping others get started on their own sewing journey. You can read more about my family and I