How to Sew Two-Sided Buttons on Bench Pads

Mark the locations where you plan to sew buttons onto the bench pad, using a light pencil mark. Space the buttons evenly.

Cut approximately 36 inches of button thread from the spool using scissors. Thread the button thread into a needle. Pull the ends of the thread so they are even and make a small knot in the end.

Make a small, 1/8-inch stitch in the fabric of the bench pad at one of the button locations. Pull the thread all the way through the fabric so the knot is on the mark.

Insert the needle into the bottom of the button. Pull the button down the thread and against the bench pad. Put the needle through the second hole and back into the fabric. Push it all the way through to the other side of the pad. Run the needle through one of the holes of a second button and pull that button all the way to the bench pad. Push the needle through the second hole of the bottom button and back through the bench pad and into the first hole the needle went through on the top button. The tightly-pulled thread should compress the padding in the bench pad to create the button tuft.

Repeat stitches in these two buttons at least two more times. If you are using four-hole buttons, take a minimum of three stitches in each of the button holes as well.

Pull up on the button where you made your last stitch. Take three small stitches into the same space on the fabric underneath the button to tie off the thread. Cut the thread.

Continue to sew buttons to the rest of the bench pad. Keep the tension on the thread the same for all buttons so the tufting appears uniform.