Making Buttons: A Step-By-Step Guide

Press release: 16 July, 2022: Although there are numerous buttons on the internet and in fabric stores, hand-made buttons are among the finest. From basic fabric covered buttons to fancy Singleton buttons to rustic wooden buttons, the possibilities are endless. Best of all, you can design them to meet the requirements of your design and get the exact look you want!

Making Fabric Covered Buttons

Buy a cover button set from a craft or fabric retailer

These include metal button maker covers and shanks made of metal. They also come with two caps-shaped tools: a large rubbery one and a smaller one.

Locate the template in your kit

Some kits include an internal disk. Some kits include an image of the disk on the back of the package. If you have the former then take off the disk.

Some templates have a hole in their middle. This is for printed fabrics to ensure that the design is centered.

Some kits have a semi-circle printed on the back. This is traced on an unfolded piece of fabric with the flat edge along the fold.

If you lost the template then cut a square of cardstock or thin cardboard which is twice the size of the button cover then trim the corners.

Utilize the template to trace a circle onto your fabric

Choose a lightweight fabric like cotton. Spread it over a smooth surface, upside down. Lay the template on the fabric. Make a pattern around the template using a pen or chalk. This can be done with the use of a cleanable pencil or tailor's chalk.

If your fabric is thin, you can use two layers of fabric. It is also possible to iron interfacing onto the wrong side of your fabric.

Use fabric scissors to cut the circle

You can trace more circles to create covered buttons. Depending on the size of the fabric you may be able to cut several circles at a time by folding it several times.

Place the fabric's center at the bottom of the tool

The cup-shaped and rubbery part in your button cover set is the one you'll need. Place it on a flat surface with the cupped side facing upwards. Lay the fabric circle on top , facing the right way down.

The button cover should be inserted into the rubber cup, and then place it right over the fabric

Find one of the metal domes in your kit. Place it rounded-side-down into the cup of rubber until it touches the bottom. The hollow side of the button cover should face towards the upward direction. The fabric will curl around the button cover when you place it in the cup of rubber.

The circle of fabric may be lost during the process. You'll want a uniform amount of fabric sticking out all around the button. To adjust it in case it gets loose, pull lightly on the edges.

Tuck the fabric into the button cover

Place it on the table by using your fingers. Sew around the edges to create a fabric circle. Then pull on the threads to gather it. It isn't really needed however.

Cover the button with the cover that is on the back

Look for a piece in your kit that looks flat and metal, with a looped end. Put it in the rubber cup, over the fabric and the button cover. Make sure that the fabric is secured inside the button cover. Make sure that the backing is held in place with your finger.

There are two types of backings in certain kits: a flat one and one with a shanked. The shanked type is for when you want to sew the button to an item. If you want to sew the button to something, the flat type is for you.

Place the cap made of plastic on top of the shank

Find the other part of your kit. It's the one that looks like the shape of a plastic cup. Place the cupped/hollow side down on the top of the shank. The smooth side must be sticking out. You should ensure that everything is neatly tucked into.

Your thumbs should be used to push down the cap.

You'll feel a small click as the backing sinks into the button cover. It is possible to hear an occasional click. It is possible to gently tap the cap using mallet or hammer, if it's hard to pull down. Don't press too hard as it might break.

Make sure you take the button completed from the kit

Pull the plastic cap away. Then gently turn the cup upside-down. If the button doesn't fall out, gently pull on the sides, or press down on the back. Then, pull it out. It is best to not grab it with the shank because it could fall apart.

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Saint Louis MO 63118