Alternatives to Buttons | 5 Easiest Methods

Are you looking for alternatives to buttons and buttonholes? Even after many, many years of sewing, I still hate sewing buttons. Well, actually, it is not the buttons but the dreaded buttonholes. How many times have I made a beautiful dress or top only to ruin it at the last minute with a messy buttonhole? Too many!

Alternatives to Buttons & Buttonholes

The best alternatives to buttons and buttonholes include:

• Velcro for quick closures
• Kam snaps for modern plastic fasteners
• Sew-on press studs for invisible closures
• Snap tape for fast installation
• Hook and eyes for discreet fastening
• Fabric ties for decorative closures
• Magnetic snaps for bags and accessories

Here are a few easy alternatives to buttons and buttonholes, great for beginners and experienced sewers alike.

1. Velcro

Sewing Velcro is often my first preference when I am looking for alternatives to buttons. The term Velcro is a brand name and the generic name you will usually come across is hook and eye tape.

If you are adding velcro to clothing, it is best to use 1/4 inch (6mm) to 1/2 inch (12mm) widths. If you can’t find the width you would like, cut down the sides to make your desired sizes. I like to cut down the middle of 1/2” (12mm) Velcro to make it thinner. This makes it look a little prettier.

Here are some pros and cons to using Velcro as an alternative to buttons.

• Pros – Easy for younger children to do up themselves and it is fairly cheap
• Cons – Sometimes you get skipped or messy stitches when sewing it on. Use a strong polyester thread in a matching color to your Velcro. Smaller stitch lengths are also recommended.
• Further Reading: How to Sew Velcro

2. Kam Snaps

I only started using these recently, but I LOVE them! Kam Snaps is a brand of plastic snaps designed for home use. They can be purchased in a kit of assorted colors and come with a simple hand-setting tool. I found my set on eBay but also check Amazon or your local Haberdashery store.

The snaps come with different length posts, so make sure you get the correct size for the thickness of the fabric you are using. Here are some pros and cons of using Kam Snaps as alternatives to buttons.

• Pros – Kam snaps are cheap, easy to install and come in lots of beautiful and fun colors.
• Cons – I can’t think of any! Just take your time setting them correctly so the pins don’t bend.
• Further Reading: KAM Snaps Tutorial

3. Sew on Press Studs (Snaps)

These have been around forever! Sew on snaps are traditionally metal round disks with holes around the outside for sewing. Depending on where you live, they might be called press studs or snaps. Make sure you are using a matching thread to your fabric and try to sew them through the lining layer only so there are no stitches visible on the outside.

Here are some pros and cons to using sew-on press studs as alternatives to buttons.

• Pros – really cheap, easy to attach
• Cons – harder for younger children to do up themselves.
• Further Reading: How to Sew Press Studs (includes a video)

4. Snap tape

This is a tape made from twill with the snaps already attached. Pull your tape apart and sew one piece on each side of the opening. It is important to make sure your bobbin thread matches the color of the dress.

Here are some pros and cons of using snap tape as an alternative to buttons.

• Pros – Super easy to sew on and there is no extra work in attaching the snaps
• Cons – Snap tape can be expensive and you will see the stitching on the outside.

5. Hook and Eyes

Hook and eye sewing is often found on vintage clothing at the top of zippers. However, larger-sized hooks can be used as alternatives to buttons.

Here are some pros and cons of using hooks and eyes as alternatives to buttons.

• Pros – Really cheap and easy to attach
• Cons – Bit more fiddly to sew than other methods and not good for children’s clothing and little fingers.
• Further Reading: How to sew hook and eye fasteners (includes a video)

6. Fabric Ties

Fabric ties or fabric spaghetti straps are a soft and decorative alternative to traditional buttons and buttonholes. They work especially well on dresses, aprons, and children’s clothing.

Pros: Easy to sew, decorative, beginner-friendly
Cons: Less secure for fitted garments

7. Magnetic Snaps

Magnetic snaps are excellent alternatives to buttons for bags, purses, and some lightweight garments.

Pros: Modern finish, quick closure
Cons: Not ideal for heavy-stress garments

Alternatives to Buttons FAQS

Button Alternatives – In Conclusion

If sewing buttonholes has ever made you want to quietly put a project in a drawer and walk away, you’re definitely not alone. The good news is that there are plenty of easy alternatives to buttons and buttonholes that can completely change how you finish your sewing projects.

From quick-fix options like Velcro, to neat modern choices like Kam snaps and snap tape, and even more decorative solutions like fabric ties or hook and eye closures, there’s something to suit every fabric, skill level, and project style. The best choice really comes down to how you want your finished piece to look and how much strength or flexibility you need from the closure.

More Button Tutorials

1. How to Make Fabric Buttons
2. Types of Buttons
3. How to Sew a Button – 4 holes, 2 holes and shank
4. How to Sew a Buttonhole | Automatic & Manual
5. Hand Sewn Buttonhole
6. How to Sew a Button on a Shirt
7. How to Make Fabric Buttons
8. Button Sizes
9. Button Loops