"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:27

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

How to sew on a button - fast


We had a button party on Saturday night to sew buttons on the quilt for the doors on all the birdhouses.  We sewed on 45 buttons.  I worked at a dry cleaners while I was in college for a few months.  I learned how to sew on buttons the quick and easy way and thought I would share the handy trick with ya'll.  Please excuse the picture quality, I forgot my camera and had to use my phone.
First you pull off a piece of thread, I usually do from my hand to my shoulder.
Then you fold that long piece of thread in half.
 Take the end with the loop (at the fold) and put it through your needle.

 You now have 4 strands on your needle.

 At the bottom of the four strands tie a knot and you are ready to go.  Now you only have to go through your button once or twice and will save a lot of time!

Here I am showing everyone how to thread their needles.

We had lots of help!  Valerie is really concentrating.
Her sister Tabitha is also helping.  They were promoted from ironing all the fabric.
Pam is sewing buttons while I had Lauren snipping my threads from the quilting and cutting pieces of thread for the button sewers.
I was hand quilting the embroidery block while Kristi hand quilted the birds.
I found that an embroidery hoop also helped with the hand quilting.
Cynthia was also helping with buttons while Ebbye took pictures.  (Tabitha and Valerie's mom.)  She also took pictures of the kids playing while we worked.


Here are some random pictures, hope this tutorial helps.  I have to get back to quilting, I only have two days left!
More posts of the quilt are here:
http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2012/01/birdhouse-quilt-progress.html
http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2012/01/birdhouse-quilt-update-2.html
http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2012/02/i-have-had-terrible-day-want-to-hear.html
http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2012/02/birdhouse-quilt-update-4the-back.html
http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2012/02/birdhouse-quilt-update-5basting.html



 




20 comments:

Clint Baker said...

Its wonderful to see traditions and skills passed on to the young people!

Unknown said...

So precious that you are together learning practical skills that will benefit for generations.

retrorevival.biz said...

Camera or not, these are fun pictures, Missy! Everyone looks like they're having so much fun:) Pretty quilt too!

~Cindy

Barbara said...

Look at you go! Looks like fun.

JudyCinNC said...

Wonderful finish and thanks for the tip on the buttons. JudyCnNC

Farmgirl Heidi said...

Wow Missy,
That quilt turned out beautiful. The images are great and the kiddos are way too cute. Thank you for sharing your quick technique to sew on buttons. I am excited for my chance to try it. What a great time saver. Thanks again and thank you for sharing your progress. I love that quilt.

Sherry said...

That's a beautiful quilt! I discovered you on Artsy Girl Linky Party and I’m now a follower; I would appreciate you following me back.

JOY @ http://joysjotsshots.blogspot.com/ said...

Found you on Katherine's Corner. I've been sewing a VERY long time and had always used double thread. Never thought once about doubling again. Goes to show no matter your age, you can learn something every day. I will enJOY my extra time now. Becoming your latest Linky & Blog Follower.

Lucy said...

Wow, that quilt is beautiful. I love quilts but I couldn't make one to save my life, so I am the person who purchases already made quilts, that is good, right? LOL
Oh, and I tried to sew a button on once, I sewed it to the bedspread too, the top was laying on the bed, starting to see my abilities LOL, yeah, I pay for a lot of things!

Carla said...

Your birdhouse quilt is looking lovely! Thanks for the tip. I always just used double but never thought about doubling agian.

Melanie said...

The quilt is just lovely!! Wish that we had a quiliting group here, it would be fun! Enjoyed the pics.

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

That's a great tip. I'm definitely going to remember that. My grandmother taught me how to attach a button to a shirt, and I've never forgotten. This is just like her method, except your method is definitely FASTER :) I found your blog via the Farmgirl Friday blog hop today :) Have a great weekend. Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather :)

Brenda said...

The quilt is looking wonderful! I am going to try this way of sewing on buttons the next time I am needing to. One of my least favorite thing to do in the sewing category.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful project to share and old-fashioned skills to pass along.... thank you for sharing.

Katherines Corner said...

this is terrific, love the photos too. xo

Sara said...

I bet the buttons are like the icing on the cake! Love all those birdies:)

Sarah Craig said...

What a fabulous quilt -and thanks for the tip about sewing on buttons!! Whoop whoop1

Vicki @ DottyJane said...

I'll have to try this tip! Pretty quilt!

James Foy said...

That's cool. Will save me some time in the future, for sure.
Buttons are about all I sew, but at least I can be more efficient, now.
Thanks.

Katherines Corner said...

Hugs and thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop :-)

"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him." Psalm 34:8