- 1). Take the seam ripper and gently remove all of the threads from each damaged buttonhole.
- 2). Matching the thread is essential. This is a military uniform, and therefore, subject to inspection. Be sure to get the color to match perfectly. If you cannot find the appropriate match, consider taking the garment to an alterations specialist. If you live on or near a military instillation, the military clothing store sells small sewing kits that contain the exact colors of thread needed for patching uniforms.
- 3). Cut an 18 to 24 inch piece of string and work one end of the string through the eye of the needle; tie the two ends together to create a loop.
- 4). Hold the uniform with the top of the garment facing up and start sewing at the inner, bottom edge of the buttonhole. The stitches will need to be concise and close together; follow where the last stitches were.
- 5). Pull the needle back up through the fabric, to the right of the first stitch, stopping when the needle is still piercing through the material at about 1/2 inch; pull the thread clockwise to wrap around the needle under the eye, and then underneath the tip.
- 6). Finish pulling the needle through the fabric to create a knot.
- 7). Repeat steps five and six. Keep the stitches tight and close together so that the knots are not visible, and continue around the buttonhole until you have reached the starting point.
- 8). Sew the first knot to complete the stitch; when you pull the needle through the bottom sew through the first five stitches to close off the knot.
- 9). Cut off any remaining string.
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