Buttons that fall off
Short answer: A button falls off when the thread is worn or has come undone. Sew it back on with the same thread colour, and make a small shank under the button so it does not sit too tight against the fabric.
Why buttons fall off
The thread holding a button wears every time the button is opened and closed. If the button sits too tight, the thread rubs against the edge of the buttonhole and gets thinner until it gives way. Machine washing, where buttons hit the drum, speeds this up. In the end only one thread is left.
Find the right thread
Use thread in the same colour as on the other buttons. If in doubt, a thread slightly darker than the fabric shows less than a lighter one. Ordinary sewing thread is fine for shirts. Use it doubled, so it is strong enough to hold for many years.
Sew it back on
Place the button exactly where the old one sat, so it matches the buttonhole. Four to six stitches through the holes are enough. Push the needle up from the inside, through the button and down again, and repeat. Tie off well on the inside with a few small stitches on top of each other.
Make a shank
Lay a match or a toothpick on top of the button while you sew, and pull it out at the end. Then the button has room for the fabric. Wind the thread a few times around the stitches under the button to form a small shank, and tie off. The button then closes easily.
Spare buttons
Many shirts come with a spare button sewn into the side seam or onto the care label. Look there first. If there is none, you can move the bottom button up if the shirt is always tucked in, and sew a similar button at the bottom where it is not seen.
Check the others
If one button has come loose, the others often follow soon, because they are sewn the same way and wear equally. Check them all at once by pulling gently on each one. If one is loose, sew it tight before it falls off and gets lost.
For men
Shirts for men have many buttons, and those at the top and on the cuffs often wear the most, because they are opened and closed every day. If you like a shirt, a needle and thread make it easy to keep it in use for a long time. See the shirts in bamboo shirt for men.
For women
Shirts for women often have smaller buttons that need a thinner needle and a steady hand. The advice is the same: sew them tight before they fall off, and keep a spare button if the shirt has one. See the matching items in bamboo shirts for women.
Washing
Close the buttons before washing, so they do not snag other clothes and do not work loose themselves. Turn the shirt inside out and wash at a low temperature with mild detergent. Let it air dry on a hanger so it keeps its shape. See the washing guide.
Iron around the buttons
Do not run a hot iron over the buttons, because plastic buttons can warp or crack. Iron around them instead, or lay the shirt face down on a towel and iron from the inside. Then the buttons lie softly and are not damaged.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find a spare button?
Often sewn into the side seam or onto the care label inside the shirt. Look there before you search for a new button in another shop.
Why does the button need a shank?
So there is room for the fabric under the button when it is closed. Without a shank the button sits too tight, and the thread wears faster against the buttonhole.
Should buttons be closed in the wash?
Yes. Then they do not snag other clothes, and the thread does not wear because the button is not knocking freely against the drum through the whole programme.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
