Sew Useful Fabric Covered Buttons (NO KITS)!!!

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ETSY LISTING
Now you can use those dull metal buttons for your sewing and craft projects. Or get some thirfted buttons for this project.
All the need to have is a shank (loop on the back)and some scraps of your favorite fabric.
This is an easy and fun project that anybody can do, plus you don't even have to go to the store and buy a kit. So let's start!

Step 1: Material's list

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1. Scrap of fabric (enough to cover the button that you will cover)
2. A button with a shank. (Button with a loop on the back. No holes)
3. Scisors
4. Embroidery thread (just 3 ends)
5. Fine needle
6. Ruler
7. Ball point pen

Step 2: Measure

$C:\Documents and Settings\Magda\My Documents\My Pictures\tutorials\covered buttons\2.jpg$

With the ruler measure the distance between the shank and the edge of the button.

Step 3: Measure again

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With the pen and from the edge of the button, mark onto the fabric the distance that you obtained from measuring the inside of the button.

Step 4: Trace

$C:\Documents and Settings\Magda\My Documents\My Pictures\tutorials\covered buttons\4.jpg$

With the button on the fabric and upside down trace around the button the circumference of the piece of fabric needed to cover the button. Put the button aside and cut the circle.

Step 5: Sew

$C:\Documents and Settings\Magda\My Documents\My Pictures\tutorials\covered buttons\5.jpg$

With the needle and the embroidery thread, stitch a running stitch along the edge of the fabric circle. Make sure to leave a tail of thread long enough to make a couple knots.

Step 6: Place button

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Place the button up side down right in the middle of the stitched round piece of fabric.

Step 7: Pull thread

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Pull both ends of thread until the fabric snuggles the button.

Step 8: Make knots

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Make a couple knots making sure the fabric is tight around the shank of the button.

Step 9: View

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It should look like this.

Step 10: Check shank

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There should not be any fabric or thread blocking the button's shank so you can sew your button to your projects.

Step 11: Ready to use!

$C:\Documents and Settings\Magda\My Documents\My Pictures\tutorials\covered buttons\11.jpg$

Now you are ready to use your covered buttons for any craft or sewing projects.
TIP: You can use regular buttons without the shanks too, specially for craft projects.
Have FUN!

susanchen2011 says: Apr 26, 2012. 2:02 AM

This is a good method to make beautiful buttons.

lkosarko sotero says: Feb 10, 2012. 6:11 AM

Very cool idea!!

terriann says: Apr 12, 2011. 10:20 AM

Great instructable! I was trying to figure out how to do this on my own last night but I used some craft wire to build my own shank on a regular 2 hole button. For the final button (that's going on a throw pillow) I'll be adding a little circle of felt too to give it a little extra padding and because my fabric is such a light color.

270

sunshiine says: Mar 7, 2010. 8:37 PM

I usually don't try to do this but will try it your way. thanks

mattietowle says: Nov 11, 2009. 8:13 AM

Great project! My dad did something similar when he was reupholstering an old sofa. Buttons covered this way hold up better for projects that don't involve a garment that will be buttoned and unbuttoned a lot how ever.

keikothemeowmeow says: Jun 14, 2009. 12:20 AM

Sweet! I agree with the person below though, definitely needs sealant or for plastic based fabrics,you could burn the edges.

sewmagical says: Aug 28, 2007. 11:14 AM

Great idea! The only suggested I might make would be to add a little seam sealant to the edgers of the fabric, so they don't fray. I like the photography, too. Nice, clear close-ups!

mtserenity in reply to sewmagicalMay 26, 2009. 6:59 PM

I second your suggestion on the sealant... and add that a drop of sealant on the knot would be a good idea too. Overall, this is a good, easy way to make beautiful custom buttons.

Jaelle says: Apr 16, 2009. 7:27 PM

It looks so easy!! It's just what I need. Thanks ;)

dstephan6 says: Jan 10, 2009. 8:26 AM

Gosh, wish I'd thought of this long ago. Thanks so much!

MaggithaMay says: Dec 14, 2008. 2:01 PM

Great guide! I've always wondered how to do this, and I can't believe it's so simple. I'll be using this plenty!

FrugalSewing says: Aug 24, 2007. 12:45 PM

Clever. I'll have to try this. I love to use funkier buttons that can be bought and it would be a good way to use nonmatching buttons, of which I have plenty.