Make button loops or belt loops with 3 ways to sew thread chains
Hey y’all, today I’m going to show you how to make a thread chain. These are useful for button loops, belt loops, even to sew on as embellishments. I made the gold skirt for myself, which I’ll be revealing soon, and I love the detail added by using thread loops instead of button holes. They look great with the covered buttons I made last week.
I’ve got a video below showing 3 ways to make these button loops. You can also watch on YouTube here if the video below won’t load for some reason.
How to Sew a Thread Chain
Here’s how to sew button loops by hand; essentially you’re doing a crochet chain without a crochet needle.
Time needed: 10 minutes
How to sew a thread chain
- Thread a needle
I like to use heavy duty or embroidery thread for these. Double the thread and knot it.
- Take a stitch
Bring the needle up through the fabric (come from the wrong side if you want to hide the knot) and take a stitch.
- Form the first link
Hold the stitch loop open with your thumb and index finger, then grab the thread from the needle with your middle finger.
- Make the next loop
Form a loop with the thread over your middle finger and pull that loop through the first stitch loop.
- Close the loop
Drop the first stitch loop and continue to pull the loop on your middle finger until the first stitch is a knot. Repeat steps 3-5 until the chain is as long as you need it to be.
- Knot the chain
Take the needle and thread through the last loop and then pull it tight to knot.
- Turn the chain into a loop
Take the needle to the wrong side of the fabric, knot thread, and cut.
You’ve made a thread chain loop!
To sew a thread chain with a sewing machine, first cut 4-6 threads. Bring your bobbin thread up through the throat plate by holding the upper thread and hand cranking the wheel once to grab the bobbin thread from below and pull it up. Hold upper and bobbin threads together with the other threads behind your presser foot and zig zag stitch over the threads.
Sewing a thread chain with your serger is the easiest of all, just set your machine up for a rolled hem and then put the presser foot down and chain stitches off. This is the method I used for my skirt.
To sew on machine made button loops, thread through a large eyed needle to pull them through to the back side of the fabric and knot.
Marnie Johnk
I was just thinking I’d like to make one of these loops to add the option of closing an open front cardigan I’d made recently which I discovered was awkward to wear on windy days!! Once again, Melissa, you’ve come to my rescue!!! Thanks so much
Kathryn Bushell
Just followed the sewing machine one after doing them by hand for years. Such a time saver – thank you