Tuesday, December 28, 2010

the perfect button tutorial

If you have ever been on the search for the perfect button here is the answer.  Make your own!!


what you need
Scrap of fabric.  size depends of button size but 5x5 is plenty.
button kit.  these are sold at the shop behind the cutting table.

Cut your fabric 1 inch bigger than your button.  There should be 1/2 inch around the button when laid on the fabric.  There is a pattern on the back of the packages.

place a small amount of hot glue on the bottom of the button.  This will help hold the fabric. 


Pull the fabric around making sure it is smooth on the top and push the raw edges into the hot glue.

push the back of the button kit into the top piece.



You are done.  SO SIMPLE.

Use anywhere you would use a button.


5 comments:

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

The hot glue is just the tip I needed last week when I was wrestling with the covered button for the bag I was making. Thanks for the great solution!

Bjorge Queen said...

This subject has weighed HEAVILY on my mind lately.
I made a jacket for my daughter using fabric covered buttons (and a pattern I purchased from material girls) and I just could not get the shanks to stop pulling out! The jacked calls for 3 buttons and I went through 9 before I finally gave up.
I decided to give vinyl buttons a try so I ordered some online, but the shanks on those are extra long so they poke out more. I wanted my buttons to be flush with the jacket.
Finally, I found that the "no tool required" buttons (they have little teeth on them) have a sturdier shank that's attached to the FRONT of the button and not the back. And the backs do tend to be more flush with the front so they don't "poke out" as much. These are a little trickier to make but they hold up better.
I really did spend countless hours on ebay and other online sites trying to find "the perfect [covered] button".
The "no tool" buttons are about twice as expensive and they're harder to find. But considering that I went through several packs of the cheaper buttons, I think they're worth the extra money.
I wouldn't recommend using the buttons where the shank is attached to the back unless it is for something mostly decorative or something that is not going to be handled by a child.

That's just my two cents.

Bjorge Queen said...

They also make great "tap ties". My daughter's dance teacher prefers them for the little girls who can't tie their shoes yet.

Mary Lou Weidman said...

I can see lots of fun uses for these darling buttons....love seeing picture by picture accounts....thank you!

The Mac Clan said...

A small spot of hot glue in the middle will hold the back shank in place so it doesnt pop out.