Make Your Own Buttons!

re: Make Your Own Buttons!

Carla.walls@gmail.com — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 23:34:08 GMT

This is a great pattern! I take buttons off of old garments (great yard sale rummage!) Also goodwill is a good source...where ever you can find the right size for your project... and do this on the buttons as a base..that way you don't have to worry about paper or rough edges. I had fun with one jacket and made the buttons different sizes..it was fun and unique!

re: Make Your Own Buttons!

ValarieA — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:03:34 GMT

I use plastic "donut disc things" that i get at the hardware store - comes in all sorts of sizes. I think they may be called washers.

re: Make Your Own Buttons!

ArtfulSoul — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 23:02:26 GMT

Wow! Love all the additional ideas in the comments. Printed out the instructions from my 2003 CD (purchased recently). Thank you!

re: Make Your Own Buttons!

Nelly — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 22:45:13 GMT

Thank you so much. This is great. The next sweater I make I'm going to make these buttons. I also think the plastic is good so it can be washed.

Thanks again. Eileen

re: Make Your Own Buttons!

blueagate — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:42:25 GMT

Thank you for this wonderful button pattern and thanks to all the ladies who suggested using a plastic base.

re: Make Your Own Buttons!

JenniferB@73 — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:04:39 GMT

I cut mine out of the lids of plastic containers and if they are sharp and I'm worried about whether the edges will cut my wool, I warm the edge of the circle up with a candle flame. This blunts the edges and I don't have to worry about frayed yarns. Be careful not to get your fingers in the way - use tweezers to hold the circle. Also, do it in a well--ventilated room, or out on the balcony - the warmed up plastic can give off toxic fumes. Finally, make sure you have some water handy - some plastics are flamable, so experiment, and have fun!

Jennifer B, Kamloops BC Canada

re: Make Your Own Buttons!

PeggyT@3 — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:07:16 GMT

might I add to cut the circle from thin plastic, like a margarine tub lid. Then your buttons will be as fully washableas the rest of the sweater

re: Make Your Own Buttons!

Romi — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:23:34 GMT

These are very cool, but wouldn't be washable! How about using a piece of heavy duty plastic, needlepoint canvas or a self-cover button as a form?

re: Make Your Own Buttons!

Handyann — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:37:25 GMT

Hi,

These are great and it will be brilliant to have bespoke, matching buttons for my makes.

Just a thought - these card-based buttons will have to be removed for washing and will be likely to get grubby themselves, but if the base circles are cut from thin plastic, the buttons can be washed along with the garment.

Ann (UK)

re: Make Your Own Buttons!

spaldingb — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:24:18 GMT

lisajan:

From the interweave Knits index, the Flash coat dress was in Interweave Knits issue Spring 2003 pages 30-33. This is also available on the 2003 Interweave knits CD compilation.

re: Make Your Own Buttons!

turtlesandowls@yahoo.com — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:44:33 GMT

I 100% agree with SherreW - why spend the time making the buttons from cardboard, when the first time you wash the sweater, the cardboard will turn soggy and disintegrate or mold?

Save a lid or two from your favorite food - cottage cheese, large containers of yogurt, cool whip, Ralston oatmeal, etc. All of these have lovely large plastic lids you can easily cut with a pair of non-sewing, non-yarn dedicated scissors.

Trace or draw your design on with a sharpie, cut across the rim, then cut out nice, neat, and quickly, for a long lasting button base!

I've used the clear, see thru cool whip and Ralston oatmeal lids for decades to make quilt, applique, and stencil templates - they work great.

re: Make Your Own Buttons!

ChristineS@18 — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:11:07 GMT

While 50 Heirloom Buttons to Make may be out of print and copies are selling for absurd amounts on Amazon and eBay, those who own Amazon Kindles can download a copy for less than $10.

I'm making Dorset Buttons for many of my projects. Buttons are fun to make!

re: Make Your Own Buttons!

ElizabethD — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:54:06 GMT

I love this idea! But with cardboard at the core of the buttons, I bet they're not washable, are they? Any thoughts on that?

re: Make Your Own Buttons!

alena@5 — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:44:36 GMT

Excellent idea - thanks! I usually crochet when I need a particular button, but this is a fresh approach - I think I'll try it soon.

re: Make Your Own Buttons!

lisajan — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:42:49 GMT

The article says, "The project that uses these buttons is called the Flashback Coat Dress by I-Hwa Ho, and it's definitely worth a look" - I've been trying to locate the pattern, with no luck. Any suggestions?