To make sewing a button on easier and much faster, cut a long piece of thread. Select a needle with a bit larger than usual eye and double the thread in half. Thread the doubled end through the eye and now you have 4 strands of thread to work with.
When you make the knot, you will be tying the 4 strands together. Twice the amount of thread to sew with and fewer stitches through the button.
Cover your button threads on any piece of clothing with clear nail polish.This will make the buttons last longer. It helps the threads endure the heat.
When sewing on buttons, especially on heavy jackets, use dental floss or 4 strands of thread that has been waxed with beeswax. This will make the button threads much stronger.
Before you wear a new garment, put a little clear nail polish on the front and back threads of each button. Buttons will stay on longer when their threads are sealed.
Banty gave a nice tip about sewing on buttons. I have another that makes the work look nicer. If you are using a button that is "not" a shank type, make your knot at the end of your thread as usual. Poke it down in the middle of where you want your button from the "front" side, come back up beside your knot, Then sew on your button as usual. This is especially nice for a shirt or coat where the front lapel is sometimes open and the knot shows.
As a very lazy person who hates to sew on buttons I started doing this several years ago. When I put a button on a garment, new or not, I dot the threads with a little bit of clear nail polish. I have only done this for cottons and other heavy duty fabrics such as denim and corduroy. I wouldn't recommend it for silk or other nice fabrics. I also do this when making stuffed toys for my granddaughter. It will keep the eyes in place.
This is a sewing tip. I have a special foot for my sewing machine for sewing on buttons. I love it because it's such a time saver. Anyway my tip is this: before I sew the button on, I lay a flat toothpick on top of the button and hold it there until I lower my presser foot. I sew over the toothpick so that when I wear the item the button doesn't "pucker" the fabric. It makes the button just loose enough to prevent the puckering.
PS: You may need to hold the toothpick still while sewing the button on.
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Questions
Here are questions related to Sewing Buttons On Clothing.
There are some buttons that cut the thread no matter how many times it is sewn or with what, I have found. Years ago I learned that if I used the eye part of a hook and eye fastener I put the eye through the button and then sew the eye onto the garment. I have used this many times and have not "lost a button" since. It also gives space between the fabric as is needed. One can buy them or they can be salvaged before those old bra's are tossed.
Cover your button threads on any piece of clothing with clear nail polish.This will make the buttons last longer. It helps the threads endure the heat. 
By Toebeanie12/16/2010
Decorating Clothing with Found Fancy Buttons