How to Make Fabric Buttons
Custom fabric buttons are easy to make and kits are commonly sold in all major fabric stores, sewing supply companies, and Wal-Mart for $3-5. You can also buy them online.
We used a lovely kit for ours made by Armommy which is a basic fat quarter. You can make your own by tracing out 1 1/2-2 1/2 inches each on any fabric of your choice. The white plastic guide is included in your kit.
You will need:
scrap fabric
metal blanks
plastic press and form (white and blue pieces)
We used a lovely kit for ours made by Armommy which is a basic fat quarter. You can make your own by tracing out 1 1/2-2 1/2 inches each on any fabric of your choice. The white plastic guide is included in your kit.
You will need:
scrap fabric
metal blanks
plastic press and form (white and blue pieces)
Cut Out Fabric
Since the fabric is what's going to be the most important part of the button, that should be gathered first. These were all base patterns printed out from ther Armommy pattern set. You could technically make them from everything, like an old AC/DC shirt or a hand-me-down set of pants.
Each button kit should have a rough size for you to cut out. One inch, one and a half inches, three inches; something along those lines. Cut out a circle, or rough circle, of that size.
Each button kit should have a rough size for you to cut out. One inch, one and a half inches, three inches; something along those lines. Cut out a circle, or rough circle, of that size.
Up next is...pretty much the rest of it! Gather all the pieces from the kit; the parts of the form and press, the button halves and your fabric.
Place the fabric circle, oval, blob in the white button form. Put the metal button shape in next (the one without the little loop on the back).
Trim off any excess fabric from your shape; there should be enough fabric left to wrap around, but not touch/cover the center of the metal bit.
Take the metal bit with the ring on the back, and press it inside the slightly larger metal piece inside the form. It should almost "snap" into place, then use the blue press to force the backing of the button in until you feel it snap into place. It may not be an audible snap, but it won't be able to be removed easily.
Place the fabric circle, oval, blob in the white button form. Put the metal button shape in next (the one without the little loop on the back).
Trim off any excess fabric from your shape; there should be enough fabric left to wrap around, but not touch/cover the center of the metal bit.
Take the metal bit with the ring on the back, and press it inside the slightly larger metal piece inside the form. It should almost "snap" into place, then use the blue press to force the backing of the button in until you feel it snap into place. It may not be an audible snap, but it won't be able to be removed easily.
Enjoy!
Congratulations! You've made one button! Now, off to the rest of them. You know you've always wanted rock band buttons to go on that next tweed coat. Or tweed buttons to go on your next rock coat.