How to Make Covered Buttons with Scraps of Fabric
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Fabric buttons are my newest sewing obsession. They take about 5 seconds to make, and they’re perfect for showing off precious little pieces of fabric. If you’re into fussy cuts or save a lot of scrap fabric, you will love making these!
All you need is an inexpensive button-making kit, some scrap fabric, and scissors. Cover button kits come in a few different sizes, typically ranging from 3/4″ to 1.5″
- I used this 7/8″ button-making kit
- These are my favorite fabric scissors
- I love getting fabric from Green Fairy Quilts
Steps for Making a Cover Button
Keep in mind the instructions might be a little different depending on the kit you’re using. However, most kits I’ve seen use the same basic concept. Here’s how to make them!
- If your kit doesn’t include a plastic cutting template, make a template out of paper by drawing a circle to the correct size. The kit will tell you what size to make the circle. For my 7/8″ button kit, the circle is 1.75″ in diameter.
- Trace the circle onto your fabric. If there’s a particular part of the design you want to have on the button, make sure to center it in the middle of the circle.
- Cut around the circle with scissors.
- Place the fabric face down in the rubber button making mold. Try to center the fabric the best you can.
- Place the button shell face down in the mold so the rounded side is down and the edges are pointing up.
- Press the button shell into the mold to secure the fabric in place. Flip it over so you can check that the design is centered. If not, pull on the edge of the fabric to remove it and try again.
- Once the fabric is centered, fold the edges of the fabric inwards so they meet in the middle. I like to gently tug on the edges all around the circle to make sure the fabric isn’t folded.
- Place the button back over the tucked fabric so that the button loop is facing you.
- Use the pressing tool and apply firm pressure on the back of the button. You should hear a little “pop” when the back is securely in place. Make sure that the back is flat and not tilted up in any direction.
- Pop the button out of the mold and you’re done!
As you can see, making cover buttons is so easy! I think they might be my new favorite way to use scrap fabric and I’ve already got a few different sizes of buttons in my shopping cart. I hope you love making these as much as I do. Happy sewing!
