Seeking a Tutorial for Reattaching a Shank Button on a Cossack Jacket

[PeterHuang]

Hi all, I just picked up a used cossack jacket from Mercari. Everything is in perfect condition except a few of the buttons, which are getting really loose. They’re shank buttons, and I was thinking about taking the jacket to a leather repair shop, but a few people told me shank buttons are pretty easy to fix. So I figured this might be a good chance to get my hands dirty.

For anyone with experience, how hard is it to reattach a shank button for a complete beginner? What tools do I need, like what needle and what type of thread? I want to reuse the buttons including the backing. And if there is a good step by step video tutorial for someone who has never done any clothing repair, I’d really appreciate it. I found some tutorials on YouTube, but they’re mostly for normal jackets and they stitch the button directly to the fabric instead of securing it with a back button.

Here are some photos.

 

[Peacoat]

Here you go. Click on the link below:

how to sew on a button using a shank thread

 

[coolhandluke_7]

Here you go. Click on the link below:

how to sew on a button using a shank thread

I believe that I watched the Paige Handmade video posted in your link when I recently replaced the buttons on my Fivestar A-1.

@PeterHuang, the most important step is to utilize a toothpick in order to leave yourself sufficient slack that allows for a wrapped shank to be formed. Adding a backing button into the mix isn't that much more challenging. Just take note of the stitch method used on the other buttons and try your best to make it match. You can always do a test run or two on a scrap piece of leather until you've gotten the hang of it.

 

[Carlos840]

I believe that I watched the Paige Handmade video posted in your link when I recently replaced the buttons on my Fivestar A-1.

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@PeterHuang, the most important step is to utilize a toothpick in order to leave yourself sufficient slack that allows for a wrapped shank to be formed. Adding a backing button into the mix isn't that much more challenging. Just take note of the stitch method used on the other buttons and try your best to make it match. You can always do a test run or two on a scrap piece of leather until you've gotten the hang of it.

That's clean, well done!

 

[Monitor]

Hi all, I just picked up a used cossack jacket from Mercari. Everything is in perfect condition except a few of the buttons, which are getting really loose. They’re shank buttons, and I was thinking about taking the jacket to a leather repair shop, but a few people told me shank buttons are pretty easy to fix. So I figured this might be a good chance to get my hands dirty.

For anyone with experience, how hard is it to reattach a shank button for a complete beginner? What tools do I need, like what needle and what type of thread? I want to reuse the buttons including the backing. And if there is a good step by step video tutorial for someone who has never done any clothing repair, I’d really appreciate it. I found some tutorials on YouTube, but they’re mostly for normal jackets and they stitch the button directly to the fabric instead of securing it with a back button.

Here are some photos.

It is a very simple fix & the tutorial @Peacoat is perfect but one thing that's different when working with leather is that while don't need any special tools, counterintuitively, the blunter the needle is, easier the repair will be. It's because, since you will be going through the existing holes, sharp needle will get caught at the frayed edges of the hole where the thread was while blunt needle will just slide through.

In addition, a dab of greasy leather conditioner over the working area also makes a lot difference.

 

[PeterHuang]

It is a very simple fix & the tutorial @Peacoat is perfect but one thing that's different when working with leather is that while don't need any special tools, counterintuitively, the blunter the needle is, easier the repair will be. It's because, since you will be going through the existing holes, sharp needle will get caught at the frayed edges of the hole where the thread was while blunt needle will just slide through.

In addition, a dab of greasy leather conditioner over the working area also makes a lot difference.

I believe that I watched the Paige Handmade video posted in your link when I recently replaced the buttons on my Fivestar A-1.

View attachment 751705

View attachment 751707

View attachment 751706

@PeterHuang, the most important step is to utilize a toothpick in order to leave yourself sufficient slack that allows for a wrapped shank to be formed. Adding a backing button into the mix isn't that much more challenging. Just take note of the stitch method used on the other buttons and try your best to make it match. You can always do a test run or two on a scrap piece of leather until you've gotten the hang of it.

Thank you all for the helpful suggestions! I would really appreciate if you can tell me what equipments (what kind of needles and threads) that I need for the project. When @Monitor said I needed a blunt needle, do you have anything specific in mind? I have zero experience with sewing and repairing clothes so just want to make sure I get everything right.

 

[coolhandluke_7]

Thank you all for the helpful suggestions! I would really appreciate if you can tell me what equipments (what kind of needles and threads) that I need for the project. When @Monitor said I needed a blunt needle, do you have anything specific in mind? I have zero experience with sewing and repairing clothes so just want to make sure I get everything right.

I just used a standard 3/9 size sewing needle in a 2" length. While using the existing holes is ideal, it's a difficult task if your jacket has a liner or two layers of hide. You may have to resign yourself to the fact that you may be adding new pin holes. Just make sure that the button is centered on the existing holes so that they won't be visible if you're making new ones.

As far as the thread is concerned, I would remove the button and take the remnants of the thread shank to a sewing or craft store and find the best match as far as the color and thickness of the thread is concerned. As far as I can tell, that's cotton thread, so look for heavy duty cotton thread. I know that Hobby Lobby carries a few different colors of heavy duty cotton thread in their Sew-ology brand. If you can't find cotton, look for a heavy duty polyester thread with a matte finish.