Even though buttons cost next to nothing, the ones you buy will never look as good as homemade ones. As if that weren't enough, the most interesting and sought-after buttons are often not cheap, and when you have to apply a row of them on a sewn or knitted garment, in order to save, you spend more. To make your clothes and your passion for sewing more special, and also for simple fun, why not make some buttons at home?
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Buttons with Holders
Step 1. Get some plain buttons that you can overlay or buy a button holder set to attach your fabric to (available at craft, haberdashery, and fabric stores)
Usually these buttons are made of plastic or metal and can easily be covered with a fabric of our choice. Attention! These buttons are only suitable for thin fabrics as they are the only ones flexible enough to wrap around the button.
Choose the size according to the needs of your garment
Step 2. Cut the fabric following the pattern
The button making kit should include templates appropriate to the size of the buttons to be created in the package. At this point, cut the excess fabric, place the button on the fabric and draw a circle around it with a fabric marker. Finally, cut out the traced circumference.
If you are using a sheer or very delicate fabric, cut out another circle that will act as a lining on the inside under the outermost layer
Step 3. With needle and thread, sew running stitch around the circumference
Leave a small outer margin.
Once done, gently pull both ends of the thread to create a small ripple. Don't pull the thread hard for now, you will do it in the next step
Step 4. Place the front of the button in the center of the ruffled fabric circle
Pull the ruffle threads on the back of the button together more firmly.
- Tie the ends of the thread together. Trim the excess thread.
- Make sure you have aligned the button in the center of the fabric circumference: you can move the button if its position is not precise.
Step 5. Make the back of the button
- Cut a circumference slightly smaller than twice the diameter of the button.
- Fold this circumference into a quarter of a circle. Make a small cut at the angle of this quarter obtained, in order to have a hole to pass the shank of the button (and this will be a blind spot). Apply some anti-fraying spray to prevent the cut threads from fraying.
- Sew with running stitch along the edges of the circumference.
Step 6. Place the back piece of the button in the center of the circle
Gently pull the strands to obtain a ruffle. Line up the holes, tie a tight knot, and cut off the excess thread.
Step 7. Gather the two pieces of the button together
Line up the shank at the front of the button with the hole in the back of the button and snap into place. You should hear a click, like a latch.
Step 8. Repeat for as many buttons as you need
Method 2 of 5: Fabric Buttons
The fabric covered buttons are ideal to combine with your clothes, or to finish with the same colors and textures. There are various ways to make a fabric button; you will find here the instructions for making a Singleton button.
Step 1. Decide the diameter of the button
It can be of any size, but make sure that the fabric disc measures two and a half times the diameter of the button (see next step).
Step 2. Draw a circle that will be the base of the finished button
- The circle should be drawn on a sturdy piece of cardstock.
- Measure a circumference that must have a diameter of two and a half times that of the button.
- Cut out the circle, including our little button in the center (if there is a pattern on the fabric, this will help you find the center more easily).
Step 3. Place the card template on the fabric you want to use for the finished button
The fabric must be placed on the side that goes outside.
- If the fabric has a print, place the part you like best right in the center of the disk.
- Using a fabric marker, draw a circle outside the disc at the edges.
- Remove the card template and place it now on the other side of the fabric, the inner one. Cover the disc with the fabric to get a preview of the final result.
Step 4. Starting from the center, measure and draw a new circle that passes exactly halfway between the center and the edge of the card
Step 5. Remove the paper template and stitch around the dotted line just before
Step 6. Place the button on the inside of the fabric
Now pull up the edges of the fabric covering the paper disc, but leave a small hole in the center. Push the raw edges of the fabric into the button through the hole we left, and set the needle and thread aside. With the end of a knitting needle or similar, push the edges of the fabric into the hole. The fabric entered into the button gives it a "plump" look; if it's not swollen enough for your taste, add more padding.
Tie the ends of the thread together but don't cut them
Step 7. Tie these ends to the back of the button
Sew a herringbone stitch circle (like circling a clock) around the back of the button hole to keep the puckered fabric stretched over it. Tie a knot in the thread and cut it.
Step 8. Return to the front of the button
Using a new thread, sew a circle with the purl stitch right inside the button. This will keep it stationary.
- You can finish the button by sewing reinforcement stitches on the purl stitch and around the button itself. This is optional but can be very impressive.
- The thread used here should be chromatically matched with the clothing or object you will use the button on.
Step 9. Tie a knot in the thread
Cut off the excess thread.
Step 10. Finished
Make as many as you like using the card template of the size you need. The more you do, the easier the process will become.
Method 3 of 5: Embroidered Buttons
For the embroidered buttons it takes a lot of passion, as they need a meticulous work, but the more you make them, the faster you become in carrying out the process and also they look fabulous. Here we offer them in a simple version, in the shape of a flower, made with the chain stitch. As soon as you get good at this type, don't be afraid to try making embroidered buttons with more elaborate styles.
Step 1. Slip the fabric into the embroidery frame
Immobilize it as you usually do when embroidering.
Step 2. Draw the button pattern on the fabric:
use a fabric marker directly on the fabric to make the design around the button. Make as many designs for how many buttons you are making, but make sure you leave enough space around each one to add fabric to the button to customize.
Step 3. Thread a single embroidery thread through the needle, and tie a knot at the end
The color depends on how you want to make the flower and the color of the fabric
Step 4. Sew the first petal
Pull the needle out from below through the center of the circle (A).
- Go down with the needle close to where it came out in point A, leaving a small loop on the button.
- Now bring the needle back up through the loop, a little further from the first puncture of the needle, B. The intent here is to make a petal starting from the loop, hence the distance of where to place the needle each time depends on the diameter of your button.
- Gently pick up the thread. Secure the stitches by bringing the thread back over the loop (exactly above B).
- Pick up the thread and bring the needle back to A.
Step 5. Chain the next petal starting from point A
Pull the needle out in front of B but at the same length as B, to form petal C (A-C). Repeat as above to form the petal and bring the thread back to point A.
Step 6. Now work on the next petal
Pull the needle out in front of C to form petal D (A-D). (At this stage you are working around the flower and then adding the petals; at this point you should see something that resembles a Y). Repeat as you did for the first petal, shape the petal and return the thread to point A.
Step 7. Work on the fourth and fifth stitches keeping equidistant between C & D and B & C
Distances are above all important to give balance to the figure.
You can add more petals if you want, to make an eight petal flower
Step 8. Finish with a French knot in the center
Repeat the process for as many buttons as you need, always using the same hoop to embroider.
Step 9. Remove the fabric from the hoop
Before cutting the fabric that is used to cover the buttons, make sure you have cut out enough fabric on all sides, in order to have a correct lining of the button.
Step 10. Create the Buttons with the First Method mentioned (Cover Buttons with a Kit)
Method 4 of 5: Wooden Buttons
If you're skilled in woodworking, wooden buttons can be a great way to reuse valuable wood scraps. There are many ways to make wooden buttons and toggles, and an easy method would be to use a thick wooden rod or branch.
Step 1. Place the rod in the frame cutter
Step 2. Saw the rod at a 45 degree angle
Discard the first piece because it won't have the right shape.
Step 3. Mark the desired button width
Put the wood back into the frame cutter and cut the next button to that width, keeping the cutting angle intact. Repeat the operation for the other buttons you proposed to do.
Step 4. Place the first button on a scrap piece of wood
This piece has the function of protecting the support surface from the drill, with which you will have to drill holes on the button.
- Mark two or four equally spaced threaded holes on the button.
- Drill through the holes with a fine tip.
- Repeat for the remaining buttons.
Step 5. Remove the sawdust from the drill
Pass the sandpaper (fine-grained) over the surface of each button.
Step 6. Customize the button if you want
You can carve it, decorate it with burns, or color it. Or just leave it as it is.
Step 7. Make the button waterproof
This step is not mandatory, but it is useful for protecting the wood from atmospheric agents and washing. It can depend on the type of wood - some woods are stronger than others, but many types of wood, including our shaft, will benefit from being coated with a matte acrylic paint. Let it dry completely before adding another coat of paint; two coats of acrylic paint are the perfect number for our buttons.
Step 8. Finished
The buttons are now ready to be applied on clothes or on your handmade items.
Method 5 of 5: Resin (Plastic) Buttons
This type of buttons is printed.
Step 1. Work on a flat surface
Protect it by covering it with newspaper or other material. Wear gloves and a mask.
Step 2. Prepare the mold
Pour the resin in equal parts (A and B) into plastic or paper cups. If you want to add color, do it in part B (follow the instructions in the package). Now pour part A into part B and mix well.
Step 3. Pour the smooth, well mixed solution into the button mold
Works fast, as most resins harden quickly, in about a minute or so.
Wipe off excess resin from around the button or from tools before it hardens
Step 4. Wait
The resin, initially gelatinous, will turn into solid plastic.
Step 5. Press lightly on the mold to pop the button out
If you like the result, then the button is ready to be used. Otherwise try another one. Repeat for as many buttons as you want.
Advice
- You can also make other types of buttons: knitted or crocheted, of clay and with lace. Beaded buttons are also a nice thing to do if you like to string beads, however you need to have some specific skills in the technique so that the buttons will stay in good condition for a long time, even if you use them frequently.
- We can reproduce many natural objects or objects that we like in the form of buttons. One of the simplest ways to transform a plain flat button is to glue a small interesting object into it. Use strong glue to make sure it doesn't come off wearing or washing it.
