Replacing a button takes an experienced person a few seconds. For someone who is completing this task for the first time, the entire process should take about five minutes.

Because there are several different types of buttons, there are some variations in the instructions, but all types of buttons require the same sewing supplies. To sew a button, you will need: a needle, thread, a replacement for any lost or damaged buttons, scissors and a thimble. Optional tools include a needle threader and a seam ripper.

Before sewing on a new button, you will need to remove any broken button pieces or loose threads that are still on the garment. Cut off broken buttons, being sure to avoid cutting the garment. Gently break any remaining stitches with the seam ripper or the tip of your scissors and pull the loose threads out of the garment.

Before you begin to sew, you will also need to know what kind of button you are working with. Take a look at the button to identify whether it is a shank button, which has a little plastic or metal loop on the back of it, or a two hole or four hole button, which has two or four holes that go through the button's surface.

Carefully push one end of a 12 to 18 inch piece of thread through the needle's eye. You may need to wet the thread's tip if it doesn't go through easily. Pull the thread further through the eye. You may want to pull it through to the halfway point and knot the two loose ends to make sure your thread doesn't slip out again and to make starting the whole sewing process easier. Now, you're ready to start sewing.

Hold the garment so you are looking at the reverse side. Push the thread through the fabric and straight out to the right side of the garment in the spot where you want your button to be. Slide the button onto your needle through the shank or one of the holes and down the length of the thread until it is held snugly against the garment.

For a Shank Button:

Push the needle straight back through the garment to the reverse side and back up through the right side of the garment. Slide the needle through the button shank, pull the thread taut and push the needle back down through the garment again on the opposite side of the shank. Repeat this process three to four times to be sure you the button is fastened securely. Finish sewing on the button by tying a secure knot as close to the fabric as possible on the reverse of the garment.

For a Four Hole Button:

Push the needle through the button hole directly above or below the hole that is threaded onto your needle and pull it straight back through the garment to the reverse side. Push the needle back up through the right side of the garment into the third hole and then down into the fourth hole to the reverse side of the garment. Repeat these steps three to four times to be sure the button is secure and knot the thread as close as possible to the fabric on the reverse side of the garment.

For a Two Hole Button:

Simply omit the third and fourth hole from the four hole button instructions.

Cut the thread so that you leave about an inch of thread below the knot on the garment's back and sit back to admire your work. Your button is now attached securely to your garment.