How to Sew On Snaps (Press Studs) for Beginners (+VIDEO)

Learn how to sew on snaps with this easy beginner tutorial. Sew-on snaps, also called press studs, are one of the simplest ways to create a secure closure without sewing buttonholes. They are commonly used on clothing, bags, purses, children’s garments, and sewing repairs. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to sew on snaps by hand, how to position them correctly, and tips for creating a neat and secure finish.

What are Sew On Snaps?

Sew on snaps are ideal for closing a blouse or an opening that is narrow or just needs some extra closure. A blouse that gapes a bit is a very good option for a simple snap. Sew on snaps (sometimes called press studs or sew on snap buttons) come in different sizes and colors and also metallic, plastic, and clear varieties.  The bigger snaps are used for heavier materials, and the smaller snaps look more discrete on lightweight fabrics such as silk.

Sew-on snaps differ from pronged snaps and plastic KAM snaps in that they are attached with a needle and thread rather than with a snap-setting tool. This makes them ideal for repairs, delicate fabrics, and projects where you don’t want to use special tools.

Looking for pronged, plastic, or heavy-duty snap fasteners? Read my complete guide on how to attach snaps to compare all snap types and installation methods.

When to Use Sew-On Snaps

Sew-on snaps are commonly used for:

• Blouses and shirts
• Dress necklines
• Children’s clothing
• Hand-sewn projects
• Bags and purses
• Sewing repairs
• Knitted garments

They are particularly useful when you want an invisible closure or need to prevent a garment from gaping.

How to Sew on Snaps (Step by Step)

Parts of a Snap

All sew-on snaps come with two parts that ‘snap’ together. One side of the snap is called the ball and has a little-rounded knob sticking up. The other side is the socket, and the ball fits into the socket. Snap! When they fit together, they connect and join up to fasten your garment. The ball side of the snap button is sewn on the overlap side (inside of the top flap) of the fabric and then matched up with the socket on the underside of the garment.

Here is the step by step instructions for how to attach snaps to fabric.

Step 1 – Mark the Snap Position

Separate the halves of the snap and grab the ball side first. Mark the position of your ball snap on the underside of the top flap.

Start your stitching with a knot or double backstitch that will lie under the snap. If you have a double layer of fabric, then just go through the top layer for an invisible finish.

Step 2 – Sew Through the First Hole

Thread your needle through one of the holes at the edge of the snap. Then work through each hole with 2-3 stitches to secure it. Once again, make sure you do not have stitches showing on the right side of the garment. You can stitch with a normal overstitch, or you can be fancy and use a buttonhole stitch.

Step 3 – Sew Around the Snap

When you have done your first few stitches, move to the next hole by pushing the needle across through the top layer of fabric. In general, there are four holes around the edge of the snap. Some brands may have more or fewer holes. Knot off with a stitch concealed under the snap.

Step 4 – Sew the Second Half

Now repeat for the socket side of the sew-on button snap. The socket side will be sewn on the top of the underside of the flap. See below for tips to perfectly align the other side of the snap.

How to Line Up A Snap

You can mark and measure the position of the second side with a pin, but a sure way of getting the ball of the snap to connect with the socket is to sew the ball side in place first, then rub tailor chalk on the tip of the ball and press it over to the place where it will meet the socket. 

The chalk that rubs off will mark the exact spot for the sewing of the other half. Then, you will have a perfect match for your sew-on snap fasteners.

Tips and Common Mistakes When Sewing On Snaps

Mistake	Tip
Sewing through all fabric layers	Catch only the inside layer where possible for invisible stitches.
Using weak thread	Use a strong all-purpose thread for durability.
Placing snaps too close to the fabric edge	Leave enough room to prevent tearing.
Misaligning the snap halves	Mark the second half carefully using chalk.
Using snaps that are too large	Match the snap size to the fabric weight and garment.

Alternatives to Sew-On Snaps

You can also consider snap tape if you want to line up several snaps in a row.  Snap tape has the ball snaps on one side of the tape, and the socket snaps in a row on the other. The tape can be sewn in with all the snaps ready to connect. Just sew along the edges of the tape with a zipper foot.

You could also use:

• KAM snaps
• Pronged snaps
• Hook and eye closures
• Velcro

Sew-On Snaps FAQs

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How to Sew on Snaps – In Conclusion

Learning how to sew on snaps is a useful sewing skill that creates neat, secure closures without the need for buttonholes. Whether you are repairing clothing, preventing a blouse from gaping, or adding closures to handmade projects, sew-on snaps are quick to attach and suitable for all skill levels. Once you master this simple technique, you’ll find countless uses for press studs in your sewing projects.

More Articles on Fasteners

1. 4 Alternatives to Buttonholes
2. How to Sew a Zipper
3. Types of Zippers
4. How to Sew a Button
5. How to Insert Magnetic Snaps
6. Clothing Fastenings