How to Make Soft Studs From Odds and Ends

I wanted studs for my jacket, to provide a more armoured look and feel. However, I also did not want to discourage others from using my shoulder as a pillow from time to time. I also didn't want to buy studs from Amazon for cheap.

After playing around with a few different materials options, I came up with these made from an old eraser I wasn't using. Stacked cardboard isn't waterproof, and stacked felt was too much effort to shape for a somewhat squishy result. I stitched the fabric covers on but I expect you might also be able to use glue. If you're okay with harder spikes, you could use some other material for the inserts.

Here's what I used:

• Rubber scraps from an old eraser
• Scrap fabric
• Needle & thread
• Knife

Each stud starts with a base spike. I formed mine by cutting cubes of rubber, slicing them diagonally to create a triangular prism shape, then cutting the sides to form a pyramid. Each pyramid is about half as tall as it is wide. Mine were about 1cm square at the base.

The fabric cover needs to be about twice as wide as the base of each spike. Woven fabrics are stretchy diagonally to the direction of the weave, so you will want to place your spike on an angle so that the corners of the base of the spike point to the sides, not the corners, of your cut square of fabric.

Place the fabric over the pointy side of the pyramid. (the peak) This is different from the picture, and hopefully isn't too confusing.

Fold the fabric over the base, pulling together opposite sides so the corners of the fabric square overlap each-other on the flat base of the pyramid. A pin can be used to secure the fabric while you fiddle with it, and can stick right into or through the rubber piece. You may want to trim the fabric slightly at this step, so none sticks out past the base of the pyramid when viewed from above.

I recommend pulling opposing sides together rather than trying to go around in a circle, as this allows the fabric to be pulled tighter.

This step can be fiddly.

Stitch around the sides of the pyramid to secure the fabric in place. The needle can be pierced straight through the rubber without affecting the shape.

Your creation is almost complete! Add some stitches all the way across the base from one side to the other to help pull the fabric down even tighter over the peak of the pyramid. Turn the piece 90 degrees and repeat, for a balanced look.

Tie off and snip end of thread.

That's it! You now have a way of making soft studs to embellish whatever you please. These are probably ok to go in the wash with anything else. If you want more shine, try using satin fabric (If using ribbon, burn the ends before stitching to prevent fraying,) or adding a coat of acrylic paint or varnish, which can also help to prevent fraying tips.