Although buttons are cheap, buying buttons is not as fun as making your own. What's more, the more special and attractive a button is, the less often it costs, and when adding a row of those buttons to your knitting or sewing project, the cost will continue to increase. To make your craft or sewing project more unique, and just for fun, consider making your own buttons.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Self-Closing Buttons
Step 1. Purchase a button mold
You can get them at craft stores, menswear stores and fabric stores. They are usually made of plastic or metal and can be easily covered with a cloth of your choice. Note that these buttons are only suitable for thin fabrics that are flexible enough to wrap around the molding.
Choose the button size depending on your garment needs
Step 2. Cut the fabric following the mold
Print packages usually include a variety of mold sizes suitable for printing buttons. Just cut it out, place it on the fabric and trace around it using a fabric marker. Then cut following the markings.
If you are using a transparent or very soft fabric, also cut a layer of upholstery to place under the fabric you are using
Step 3. Using a needle and thread, sew around the circle
Leave a small fringe on the outside.
When you're done, gently pull both ends of the thread until the loop is smaller. Don't pull it tight just yet, you'll do that in the next step
Step 4. Place the front of the button print into the fabric circle
Pull the thread that creates a small loop tightly behind the button.
- Tie the end of the thread. Cut the remaining thread.
- Make the necessary adjustments so that the buttons align with the center of the fabric loop.
Step 5. Create the back of the button
- Cut a circle slightly smaller than twice the diameter of the button.
- Fold the circle into a quarter circle. Cut the end of a quarter circle to make a hole for the button to fit in (this will be the center). Use anti-wrinkle spray to prevent the fabric from unraveling.
- Sew around the entire edge of the circle.
Step 6. Place the button back into the center of this circle
Slowly pull the thread until it makes a small loop. Adjust so that the holes are aligned. Tie tightly and cut off excess thread.
Step 7. Join the two parts of the button together
Align the front button with the hole in the back of the button and press it into the final position. You will hear a clicking sound which means the two halves are fused.
Step 8. Repeat to make as many buttons as needed
Method 2 of 5: Cloth Buttons
Cloth-wrapped buttons are perfect for matching your existing outfit, or at least complementing them in color and texture. There are various ways to make fabric buttons; Here are the instructions for making Singleton buttons.
Step 1. Determine the diameter of the buttons
It can be any size, as long as you make a cloth circle two and a half times the diameter of the ring you are using (see next).
Step 2. Make the mold
It's the circular shape that forms the base of the button.
- Place the buttons on a sheet of hard cardboard. Draw a circle by tracing the buttons on the cardboard.
- Make a circle whose diameter is two and a half times the first circle.
- Cut out the circles, including the circle in the middle (if there is a pattern, the circle in the middle will allow you to place the motif right in the center).
Step 3. Place the cardboard on top of the fabric used for the buttons, the front of the fabric facing up
- If the fabric is patterned, place it in the center in the hole of the card ring.
- Line around the motif with a fabric marker and around the circle as well.
- Take the printed cardboard and place it again on the back of the fabric. Fold the fabric around the cardboard to form a circle for measuring.
Step 4. From the hoop, measure and mark a circle just between the hoop and the rim of the larger outer circle
Step 5. Take a cardboard printout and sew it around the new marker line
Step 6. Place the cardboard ring on the back side of the fabric
Pull the gathered fabric around the cardboard ring but leave a small hole in the middle. Press the rough edges of the fabric inside the button through this small hole, holding the sewing thread to one side. Use the tip of a knitting needle or similar tool, to press the ends of the fabric in. Excess fabric stuffed in makes the buttons puff up; if you think it's still not bloated, enter additional content.
Tie the ends of the thread tightly without cutting them
Step 7. Use the ends of the thread to secure the back
Sew a flannel stitch in a circle (clockwise), around the back of the buttonhole, to secure the fabric over the cardboard ring. Tie the thread and cut.
Step 8. Return to the front of the button
Using a new thread, sew the back of the seam just inside the ring. This keeps the ring firmly in place on the outside of the button.
- You can finish the button by sewing with a feston stitch over the trail stitch and around the ring. This is optional but can look very effective.
- The thread used here should complement the garment or object to be buttoned.
Step 9. Tighten and tie a knot on the twine
Trim excess thread.
Step 10. Done
Make as many as needed using a cardboard mold. The more you make, the easier it will be.
Method 3 of 5: Embroidered Buttons
Embroidered buttons are a labor of love, as they can be a little tricky, but the more buttons you make the prettier you get, and the faster you can get them done. What is suggested here is a simple chain stitch in the shape of a flower, but once you get better at it, don't be afraid to try making buttons with more intricate embroidery.
Step 1. Insert the cloth into the ram
Fasten as you normally would when embroidering.
Step 2. Draw the button print on the fabric
To do this, trace the button using a fabric marker, directly onto the fabric. Trace as many buttons as you need, but don't forget to leave some space around each circle to add fabric to the buttons like self-wrapping buttons.
Step 3. Insert the embroidery thread into the needle
Tie a knot at the end of the thread.
The color depends on the choice of flowers and the background of the fabric
Step 4. Sew the first petal
Insert the needle up through the center of the button loop (A).
- Sew down near where the needle appears on A, creating a small thread loop.
- Thread the needle back up this time through the small loop of thread, slightly shifted from where the needle came out, B. The goal is to make a petal out of a small loop of thread, so how far from A your needle pops depends on the diameter of your button loop.
- Pull the thread slowly. Hook the seam by inserting the needle back down behind the loop (just above B).
- Pull the thread and insert the needle back at point A.
Step 5. Work the next petal chain stitch from A
appears across from B but with the same length as B, to make petals C (A-C). Repeat the above steps for the first petal, to form the petal and return the thread back to point A.
Step 6. Work the next petal chain stitch
Appear across from C, to make petals D (A-D). (You work in circles making the petals; what you can see now is like a Y shape.) Repeat as in for the first petal above, to shape your petals returning the thread to point A.
Step 7. Work the fourth and fifth stitches halfway between C&D and B&C
Keeping the distance is important for balance.
More petals can be added to produce an eight-petal flower if desired
Step 8. Finish with a French knot in the middle
Repeat as many buttons as you made with this fabric.
Step 9. Remove the cloth from the ram
Before cutting and adding to your own button wrap, make sure you cut enough mill around all sides to fit into the button mould.
Step 10. Finish the buttons as in the self-wrapping button method above
Method 4 of 5: Wooden Buttons
If you're a woodworking expert, wood studs can be a great way to use up precious wood. There are many ways to make wooden buttons, but one simple method is to use a small, thick piece of wood.
Step 1. Put the wood into the miter box (a tool for cutting wood)
Step 2. Saw the wood at a 45 degree angle
Discard this first piece as it will not be properly shaped.
Step 3. Mark the width of the buttons as desired
Return the wood to the miter box and cut the next button to this width, keeping the angle right. Repeat on the next buttons.
Step 4. Place the first button on the scrap wood
Scrap wood is only used to keep the surface from being drilled when you drill holes.
- Mark two or four equidistant thread holes above the button.
- Drill with a small drill bit to make holes.
- Repeat for the next button.
Step 5. Brush off the drilling dust
Sand the surface of each button with fine sandpaper.
Step 6. Decorate if desired
You can scratch, burn or color the buttons as you wish. Or just leave it as it is.
Step 7. Coat the buttons
While you don't have to, this step is useful for protecting the wood from the elements and during washing. Depending on the type of wood––some types of wood are more durable than others, but many types of wood, including wood, will benefit from being coated with a matte acrylic varnish. Let dry before coating again; it is recommended to coat twice.
Step 8. Done
The buttons are now ready to be worn on your garment or craft object.
Method 5 of 5: Resin (Plastic) Buttons
These types of buttons are printed.
Step 1. Work on a flat surface
Cover the surface with newspaper or other material to protect the surface. Put on your mask and gloves.
Step 2. Prepare the mold
Pour the resin into parts A and B in equal amounts into a plastic or paper cup. If stained, do so in part B (follow the resin wrap instructions). Then pour part A into part B, mix well.
Step 3. Pour the smooth and even solution into the button mould
Work quickly, as most resins harden very quickly, starting to harden in about a minute.
Wipe off excess resin from around studs or on other equipment before hardening
Step 4. Wait
The resin will change from transparent to hard plastic.
Step 5. Gently press the studs out of the mold
If you like it, use it. If not, try to do it again. Repeat to make as many buttons as needed.
Tips
- Other types of buttons, you can make among them knitted buttons, clay or clay buttons and lace buttons. Beaded buttons are also fun to make if you enjoy stringing beads but need some knowledge of stringing beads to make sure the buttons stay in good shape after frequent wear.
- Many of your favorite objects or knick-knacks can also be turned into buttons too. One of the easiest ways to transform plain, flat buttons is to glue a small, interesting object together. Use strong glue to make sure the buttons are strong enough to wear and wash.
