How to Repair a Buttonhole

The buttonhole on my favorite pair of jeans recently started fraying, so it’s time for us to learn how to repair a buttonhole.

Here I’m working on jeans but the same process works for a buttonhole on a shirt or anything else that has gotten frayed or the stitching is loose.

Buttonhole Repair Supplies

The good news is that if you do much mending at all you probably have everything you need to repair a buttonhole at home.

You’ll need some small, sharp scissors and possibly a seam ripper if you want to remove all the old stitch (I didn’t), FrayCheck (optional), thread and a needle.

These last two are worth talking more about for a minute. The thread I used is Coats mercerized cotton in a gold color that’s similar to the stitching on jeans. Yours doesn’t have to match and it would be fun to have that little bit of contrast if you like.

For the needle, you’ll want the smallest, sharpest needle you have. I used a short sashiko needle because these are made to go through multiple layers. But any sharp needle will do.

I didn’t use one but a thimble is also a great idea for making it a little easier to push the needle through the fabric.

Preparing the Buttonhole

If your buttonhole isn’t fraying as much as mine it will be easier for you to get started. Menders always say it’s easier to fix something when it’s just starting to be a problem instead of letting it linger, but here we are.

I trimmed away as much of the frayed threads and fabric as I could with my scissors. If you want to completely rip out the old stitching you can but I didn’t bother.

I also used a bit of Fray Check just to get the remaining threads to lie down flatter to make for easier stitching. This is optional but I think it made it easier.

Repair a Buttonhole Steps

Cut a length of thread, thread the needle so the thread is doubled and tie a knot. Put the needle through the fabric from back to front where you want to start stitching and pull through.

Put the needle back into the fabric from front to back close to where you came up, then bring the needle back up either at the very edge of the fabric on the buttonhole or just inside the buttonhole itself. Do this as one stitch, don’t pull the thread all the way through yet.

Wrap the thread under the needle and pull through. If this sounds like blanket stitch, that’s because it is. It’s not a perfect match to machine stitching, but it’s quick, easy and sturdy, which is good enough for me.

For the next stitch take the needle from front to back next to where you started the first stitch and back to the front in the same way you did before, making sure the thread is under the needle before you pull through.

Continue across and around. As you go you may have to make some weird stitches in the curves but just do the best you can.

My stitches got a little wonky as I went thanks to the unevenness where the buttonhole was fraying, but I don’t mind. I also just stitched right over the places where I left the original stitching, which makes it less visible.

It definitely looks hand done but it’s sturdy and when the jeans are buttoned you can’t really tell. Most people won’t be that close to your jeans button anyway.

Have you ever had to repair a buttonhole? I’d love to hear your process!