The Japanese craft books are filled with wonderful embroidery projects and these buttons are a great example. So why not make a quick and simple embroidered button?
Here is an easy method I used to make my button:
1. Choose a shank button that will be large enough for your embroidered design.
2. Use a piece of scrap fabric, lay your button on it, and draw a circle around the button about one centimeter or so away from the edge. This measurement will vary so you just want to make sure that the circle will cover all of the front and most of the back of the button.
3. Cut out the circle drawn on the scrap fabric, measure it to the button, and make sure it fits correctly. Use the scrap as a template for the fabric and embroidered design that will cover the button.
4. After cutting around your embroidered design baste a running stitch about a 1/4 of an inch from the edge. Pull on the end of the thread to gather the stitches and place your button in it. Gather it securely and tie off the thread. Note: You might want to use a strong thread that can withstand the pulling. I chose a hand quilting thread.
Nothing to it! Please feel free to comment if you have any tips for covering buttons, we love to hear from readers!
What a clever idea!
ReplyDeleteCould you show what the back of the button looks like when you are finished?
I have never tried this method - but I might now.
Thank you : )
Sure, I will take a picture of the back and post that soon!
ReplyDeleteYet another thing for my to-do list....
ReplyDeleteI've seen these amazing buttons, too, but did not know where to begin making them for myself. Thank you so much for this helpful posting.
ReplyDeleteHow fun! I love the covered buttons I see in the Japanese craft magazines - thanks for the great tutorial. I can't wait to get started!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea.
ReplyDeleteYou know, you've inspired me. I'd love to organize a swap for these, would that be okay, or would I be out of line? And is there any interest out there? They're just so sweet and can be used in so many ways...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea..yeah! I am totally in and I'm sure many more would join :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for showing the back of the button! I really appreciate it (now I'll know if mine looks right) : )
ReplyDeleteOh - a swap could be alot of fun!
Have a great day - Jenn : )
This is so cute! I would love to be in a swap! Please let me know if you organize one!
ReplyDeleteThose are great!!
ReplyDeleteHow funny you should post about this! A while ago, I picked up some old needlework books from tyhe library sale and the other night I was looking at all the embroidery patterns, only to stumble on some tiny button patterns with fish and boats. Very cute. I think this is the universe's way of telling me that I need to make those buttons.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this tutorial; I've been curious about how to do this!
ReplyDeleteha!
ReplyDeletethis is great! i too have a do-to list, and this is definitely going on there. thanks!
I love these! They are so cute!
ReplyDeleteGreat, I'll set up a swap of some sort within the month... I'll email Amy and make sure you all know about it (I just have to slow down life a little beforehand).
ReplyDeleteLove , love, love these!!! THey are so incredibly cute!!
ReplyDeleteI did not realize you had this tutorial!! LOL. I made one recently too about the same subject.
ReplyDeleteIt is super!
ohhhh how pretty!
ReplyDeletei hadn't thought of doing this...must give it a go
Love this idea - what sort of fabric are you using - does it matter?
ReplyDeleteNow, I have to try this.... never occured to me before....
ReplyDeleteThanks
:-)
Lovely idea! I´m going to do this with my students! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSo you just leave the raw edges on the back of the button? Do you find that this is a problem or do you not use them on items that get washed?
ReplyDeleteGreat looking buttons. Do you put a layer of glue, something like Aleene's to keep it finished and secure? Just found your blog. It's quite fun. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteEu já havia visto botões recobertos, contudo, estes bordados estão demais! Obrigada pela dica.
ReplyDeleteIêda de Azevedo. Niterói - Rio de Janeiro - Brasil.
The history of covered buttons is really interesting. I work with heritage collections and have done a couple of posts on my blog investigating covered buttons. Come and have a look:
ReplyDeletehttp://zhozhofabart.blogspot.com/2011/08/fabric-covered-buttons.html