Sewing Tips: Sewing Buttons to Loosely Woven Fabrics

Fabrics used for bathing suit cover ups, netting shirt material, and similar cloths can cause a few problems when you go to sew on the buttons. Depending upon the weave of the fabric, there can be an inch or more space where there’s no place to attach a button.

Other fabrics, like fine silks, can cause additional problems. Since the fibers are so delicate, the thread, used for sewing on the buttons, can cut through the delicate material, causing the button to fall off and leave a hole in its place.

There’s a quick and easy solution to these problems: beads. Using a bead behind each button can make all the difference in the world. Beads come in thousands of styles and colors, making it easy for you to choose what’s best for your particular outfit.

For fabrics loosely woven, choose a long, flat bead of the same color as the cloth. For delicate materials like silk or satin, choose a small, disc-shaped bead. It’s not absolutely necessary that you choose a bead of the same color as the fabric, but keep in mind whether or not the bead will show while the garment is being worn.

While attaching the button onto loosely woven fabric, pass the thread through the bead until the knot almost reaches the hole of the bead. Now pass the needle between the two pieces of thread, by the knot. This will wrap the thread through the bead and prevent the knot from passing right through the hole.

Align the button in place with the bead underneath. Pass the needle up through the fabric and into the button hole, then back down through the fabric and the hole of the bead. Even if there are large holes in the design of the fabric, the bead will help hold the button to the threads that you are able to grab.

Sew the button as you normally would but pass it through the bead each time. When finished stitching on the button, push the needle through from bottom to under the button. Wrap the thread around the button three times, then push the needle back through the cloth but not through the hole of the button this time. Wrap the thread around the bead three times, then make a couple of knot stitches, beside the bead.

Something as simple as a bead can make all the difference between whether your garment lasts and lasts or falls apart after the first wash, so use this technique on all loose or delicate fabrics.