How To Sew Antique Vintage Buttons On

When you learn how to sew antique vintage buttons on clothing or any other item, you'll find out it's not terribly different than sewing new buttons. Of course, some antique vintage buttons may be more fragile if they are made of glass, Bakelite, shell, plastic or other fragile material. Because of the fragility, care must be taken to not damage the antique vintage buttons.

To sew antique vintage buttons on, you will need:

• Antique vintage buttons
• Thread
• Needle
• Scissors

1. Gather your buttons. Make sure you have enough antique vintage buttons for a shirt. If you want to use the same style antique vintage buttons, make sure they're all in good condition. Clean the buttons as needed. It's easier to wash buttons before they are sewn onto clothing.
   
2. Thread the needle. Use thread that complements the clothing and the buttons. Thread the needle and knot the thread.
3. Start from the back of the garment or item you're sewing. Push the needle through the fabric from the back. Make sure you have the right location so the button will align with the buttonhole when the button is sewn on.
   
4. Run the needle through the buttonhole or the loop on a shank button. Set the button on the fabric where you want it to be sewn on. Push the needle through the hole or loop so the needle extends out the top of the buttonhole or one side of the loop on a shank button.
   
5. Push the needle from the front to the back. Run the needle back through the fabric from the front to the back. If the button has holes, push the needle through another hole first, then pull the needle and thread through to the back. If the button has a shank, push the needle and thread through the fabric so the needle is at the back.
   
6. Repeat this process. Keep running the needle from back to front, then front to back until the button is secured to the fabric. A minimum of four times around is needed to secure the antique vintage button to the fabric.