Style Clothing Care How to Sew a Button on a Coat or Jacket Perhaps now you'll actually use the travel sewing kit you were gifted years ago. By Jenny Brown Jenny Brown Jenny Brown leads the copy and research department at Real Simple magazine. Whether the topic is home, food, fashion, beauty, health, or finances, she helps ensure print articles are clear, engaging, factually accurate, and unbiased. She has more than 13 years' experience as a writer, reporter, copyeditor, and fact-checker. Highlights: * Created the Real Simple style guide, with an eye toward keeping the magazine's language precise, consistent, and inclusive * Created the Real Simple research library to help writers find vetted, reliable information online * Formerly worked at Health and ARTnews magazines * Completed the Advanced Editing Certificate Program from ACES and the Poynter Institute, getting special training in substantive editing, critical thinking, and accurate, audience-focused reporting * Completed the Moore Fact-Checking Workshop via MIT's Knight Science Journalism Program Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 08, 2022 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Joe McKendry Unless sewing is a hobby—or you're a master crafter equipped with the latest embroidery machine—you might not have as much experience with a needle and thread. Because of the heavier fabric, sewing on a button on a coat or jacket calls for a heavy-duty stitching technique. Here's how: 01 of 03 Step 1 Joe McKendry Start with a double-threaded needle. Bring the needle up through the wrong side of the fabric and one hole of the button. 02 of 03 Step 2 Joe McKendry Lay a toothpick across the button. Stitch as with light fabrics but go over the toothpick. For the last stitch, pull the needle down through one hole but not the fabric. Remove the toothpick; pull the button up. 03 of 03 Step 3 Joe McKendry Wind the thread around the stitches between the button and the fabric a few times, creating a shank. Poke the needle back through to the wrong side of the fabric and knot as with light fabrics. We Tested 24 Sewing Machines—And These 9 Are the Best for Beginners and Experts Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit