Make Your own Fabric Buttons
October 14th, 2007 by Jen LoveI know I may be way behind the times but I still keep finding gadgets and ideas at the craft store that amaze me. This week I tried out the fabric button makers I had bought 6 months ago. They were very simple to make and now I want to look around the house and see what keepsakes I could make buttons out of. I am considering: an old, favorite shirt or baby shirt, vintage towel or handkerchief, old ties, prom dress, etc. to make a button for a bag or pillow that would be better used there than thrown out. What a sweet memory to carry a bag with a peice of baby’s first clothing! I can’t wait!
So, first, using the pattern on back of package cut out pattern. I cut my circle out of the paper so you can perfectly center and choose the picture that you want.
Cut out fabric circle and center around button half with teeth. Press around the circle, catching the fabric on the teeth all the way around.
Next, put the flat button half down on top of your fabric button and press into place by pressing down with a spool. Be sure to put the side down that sticks out farther.
All done! 2 minutes! And now you have a button that perfectly matches what you have sewn!
This was my favorite example of this- a bag I received in our Summer swap. LOVE it!
A few tips:
Be careful, you can hurt your fingers on those teeth!
If you fabric is too thin, use iron-on interfacing so that the silver button cannot be seen through the fabric.
October 15th, 2007 at 6:51 am
BTW, the round bag in the recycled plastic bag posting from July http://craftydaisies.com/2007/07/18/recycling-plastic-bags/ also features a covered button. This was the biggest button size I could find and I used it to cover up the center hole of a crocheted circle.
October 15th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
I always wondered how those things worked! Now I want to make buttons!
October 15th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
this is a fabulous idea to use the fabrics as sentiments on buttons.
October 16th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
you mean you don’t need a special tool? That’s refreshing! Thanks!
October 21st, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Here’s another tutorial for fabric covered buttons that doesn’t require any special parts. Check it out. http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=181926.0;topicseen
October 27th, 2007 at 5:27 am
What a great memory! We used to make covered buttons when we were little with Mom!!
November 7th, 2007 at 9:18 am
Hi, I have been searching everywhere for a tutorial on making fabric covered rings. This is the closest thing I’ve found. Any suggestions on turning it into a ring? Also, where did you get your kit? Thank you!!
November 7th, 2007 at 11:29 am
Amby,
I think this is what you use for fabric rings too. Maybe you clamp the button ring with what you are using for the finger ring; position oppositely and make the button ring tight around it. I have seen a lot of fabric rings and fabric covered rounds on girls hair bands too alot on etsy and wanted to try it out. I got these kits at Jo-ann’s fabric store and at W-M.
July 29th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
WOW! I was also wondering how that was done as I want to cover the fabric with beads. Now I just have to find the kits. Thanks a lot. Kathy
February 9th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
I have tried to make smallish buttons like this using burnout velvet and cannot get the fabric to hook into the teeth. I know there is a way to make small spherical buttons out of fabric; any suggestions of how to do that? Thanks! Robyn
March 30th, 2010 at 9:29 am
Where did you find the supplies to do this without a button machine? I’ve looked at Joanne Fabrics and Michaels and neither store carries anything like it! HELP!
April 12th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Hi Audrey,
If you go to etsy.com and type in “self covering buttons” a list of sellers will come up that supply the buttons as well as tools to make them with.
Good luck!
June 8th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
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