How to Attach a Button to a Pillow

Sew-Through Buttons

• 1

  Thread a 24-inch piece of thread through a sewing needle, and tie the two free ends together to form a large loop.

• 2

  Determine the best location for your button and mark the area with fabric chalk.

• 3

  Place the button in the desired location. Put a toothpick in three of the four holes to hold it in position.

• 4

  Run the needle from the underside of fabric through the open hole in your button. Pull it upward until you feel the knot made in Step 1 catch on the underside of the fabric.

• 5

  Place the needle through the buttonhole that is diagonal from the hole you just came through and run it through the underside of the fabric and back up one of the other free buttonholes. Make sure to pull the thread taut to secure the position of the button. Repeat this step until the needle has gone through each of the buttonholes.

• 6

  Run the needle up from the underside of the fabric and loop it around the thread that is between the button and the fabric. Tie the thread off and cut off the excess thread to secure the button in place.

• 7

  Remove the toothpicks and make sure your button is firmly attached before placing it in your home.

Shank Buttons

• 8

  Thread a 12-inch piece of thread through a sewing needle. Tie the two free ends together to form a loop.

• 9

  Determine the best place for your button. Mark the area with fabric chalk.

• 10

  Run the needle through the area where you wish to attach the button and pull it upward until you feel the knot you made in Step 1 catch on the fabric.

• 11

  Run needle and thread through the shank of the button.

• 12

  Run the needle back through the fabric under the button and bring it up and through the shank on the button. Pull the needle and thread taut to hold the button in place. Repeat this step four times.

• 13

  Tie off the thread around the shank. Cut off the excess thread to secure it in place.

• 14

  Verify the button is securely attached before placing the pillow in your home.