Advice please: Sewing needle to re-attach buttons to coat 3 February 2021 at 1:04PM in Crafting 10 replies 294 views

MrsCluckyHen

Hi,
Please help.
I bought a lovely, warm, REALLY THICK wool blend coat, similar to this coat:
https://www.marksandspencer.com/belted-double-breasted-coat-with-wool/p/clp60473360
Unfortunately some of the buttons have already fallen off and while I don't want to return the coat I obviously need the buttons back on.
I have tried to stitch back those 4 hole buttons to big coats like this with your run of the mill poundland needles, and I succeded after much pain and difficulty.
I figure this could be done easier if I had a needle that is right for the fabric but after a google search, while a lot of information came up I am none the wiser for it, I still couldn't identify which needle would best meet my needs. 
So I come to you lovely people for advice please. Which needle would best suit me to re-attach my buttons to my coat?
Does it affect what type of needle I need the fact that the buttons are a bit curved, like the ones in the link?
Do I need a more specific type of thread so I'm not having to re-attach these buttons every few months?

Many thanks in advanced for any help you can give.

flea72

If its painful due to having to force the needle through all the layers, then you need a thimble.

I tend to sew buttons on with doubled up thread or dental floss

Wraithlady

Agree with flea72 - you need a reasonably sturdy needle and a thimble to get through thick wool.

The buttons being curved won't make any difference

Silvertabby

And use an extra strong cotton, such as top stitch thread. 

clive0510

superglue.

MalMonroe

clive0510 said:

superglue.

Hmmm. No. Buttons need to be flexible. Have you never noticed that? 

Emmia

clive0510 said:

superglue.

Superglue isn't that waterproof - so if the coat gets damp, they'll fall off! 

I tend to use a polyester/multi purpose thread (gutermann is my preferred brand) and a longish standard needle to account for the thicker fabric (these are usually included in assorted needle multi packs, but perhaps not poundland multi packs... I confess to having never purchased needles in poundland)

Gutermann all purpose thread (many colours available)
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0063FWCK2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_713AXQK1CXJVR1W4F9FW

Needle multipack with holder / dispenser (the top rotates and there is a hole which lets you tip the needle out / put it back) - this is £1.50 and are the needles I use for most handsewing.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007MCRX36/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_MFWD34B9SB240VA1CR3C

MrsCluckyHen

Emmia said:

clive0510 said:

superglue.

Superglue isn't that waterproof - so if the coat gets damp, they'll fall off! 

I tend to use a polyester/multi purpose thread (gutermann is my preferred brand) and a longish standard needle to account for the thicker fabric (these are usually included in assorted needle multi packs, but perhaps not poundland multi packs... I confess to having never purchased needles in poundland)

Gutermann all purpose thread (many colours available)
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0063FWCK2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_713AXQK1CXJVR1W4F9FW

Needle multipack with holder / dispenser (the top rotates and there is a hole which lets you tip the needle out / put it back) - this is £1.50 and are the needles I use for most handsewing.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007MCRX36/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_MFWD34B9SB240VA1CR3C

To be honest, I only use needles to do the occassional hem and re-attach buttons on your run of the mill cotton fabrics, so they are sufficient for that, it's when it gets to more specific fabrics/ tasks that they may struggle. 

Thank you very much for the link and information to all of you. I shall get a thimble and the materials recommended. 
Wish me luck with my buttons. 

Emmia

MrsCluckyHen said:

Emmia said:

clive0510 said:

superglue.

Superglue isn't that waterproof - so if the coat gets damp, they'll fall off! 

I tend to use a polyester/multi purpose thread (gutermann is my preferred brand) and a longish standard needle to account for the thicker fabric (these are usually included in assorted needle multi packs, but perhaps not poundland multi packs... I confess to having never purchased needles in poundland)

Gutermann all purpose thread (many colours available)
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0063FWCK2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_713AXQK1CXJVR1W4F9FW

Needle multipack with holder / dispenser (the top rotates and there is a hole which lets you tip the needle out / put it back) - this is £1.50 and are the needles I use for most handsewing.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007MCRX36/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_MFWD34B9SB240VA1CR3C

To be honest, I only use needles to do the occassional hem and re-attach buttons on your run of the mill cotton fabrics, so they are sufficient for that, it's when it gets to more specific fabrics/ tasks that they may struggle. 

Thank you very much for the link and information to all of you. I shall get a thimble and the materials recommended. 
Wish me luck with my buttons. 

Have a watch of a youtube video on sewing coat buttons on for tips on how to do it best (ideally you need a space behind the button to allow for the thicker fabric for example)

Marcon

Emmia said:

MrsCluckyHen said:

Emmia said:

clive0510 said:

superglue.

Superglue isn't that waterproof - so if the coat gets damp, they'll fall off! 

I tend to use a polyester/multi purpose thread (gutermann is my preferred brand) and a longish standard needle to account for the thicker fabric (these are usually included in assorted needle multi packs, but perhaps not poundland multi packs... I confess to having never purchased needles in poundland)

Gutermann all purpose thread (many colours available)
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0063FWCK2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_713AXQK1CXJVR1W4F9FW

Needle multipack with holder / dispenser (the top rotates and there is a hole which lets you tip the needle out / put it back) - this is £1.50 and are the needles I use for most handsewing.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007MCRX36/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_MFWD34B9SB240VA1CR3C

To be honest, I only use needles to do the occassional hem and re-attach buttons on your run of the mill cotton fabrics, so they are sufficient for that, it's when it gets to more specific fabrics/ tasks that they may struggle. 

Thank you very much for the link and information to all of you. I shall get a thimble and the materials recommended. 
Wish me luck with my buttons. 

Have a watch of a youtube video on sewing coat buttons on for tips on how to do it best (ideally you need a space behind the button to allow for the thicker fabric for example)

If you put a matchstick behind the button (so the matchstick is between fabric and button) while you stitch, that gives a perfect amount of 'space'.

A strong needle with a good-sized eye should do the trick - it'll make a big enough hole to let a double thickness of buttonhole thread pass through the fabric easily, and won't bend or break in use. Something like: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pony-Sewing-Needles-Knitters-Multi-Colour/dp/B004E5FU8Y/ref=pd_bxgy_3/260-6447297-7653904?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B004E5FU8Y&pd_rd_r=eee94f6b-75d4-4afe-9dc3-35d112128c58&pd_rd_w=fF9bQ&pd_rd_wg=KkURT&pf_rd_p=dcf35746-0212-418b-a148-30395d107b2d&pf_rd_r=WJPADTT3NFN7VHF6NCNW&psc=1&refRID=WJPADTT3NFN7VHF6NCNW

FatherTireseus

Marcon said:
If you put a matchstick behind the button (so the matchstick is between fabric and button) while you stitch, that gives a perfect amount of 'space'.

Ah, that takes me back to my needlework school lessons!  Whenever I have to sew a button on now, I always use that trick.  And then we were taught to remove the matchstick and then wrap thread around that thread between the button and the fabric, to strengthen the 'shank'.