Clothes Fastenings, Best Types of Fasteners for Clothing

Clothes fastenings serve a functional purpose in doing up clothing and helping it shape the body, but they can also be decorative and add some creativity to designs. While buttons and zippers come to mind first when thinking of clothes fastenings, they are not the only options for sewers. Beginner sewers can choose easy options such as snaps and Velcro which are quick and simple for all levels and can be adapted to most sewing patterns.

Clothes Fastenings, Types of Clothes Fasteners

Clothes Fastenings Tutorial

What are Fastenings in Clothing?

Fastenings refer to the elements in clothing that open and close to allow the wearer to easily get the item on and off. Examples of common clothing fastenings are zippers and buttons. Fastenings will vary due to the garment style, the fabric used, and the fit.

Types of Clothing Using Fasteners

The fashion styles that use fasteners are immense. They include nearly all items made from woven fabrics such as shirts, pants, tops, bras and jackets.

Stretch garments can go more easily over your head so usually don't used clothing fasteners.

Types of Clothes Fastenings

There are 13 main types of clothes fasteners, from buttons to Velcro.

1. Buttons

Buttons are one of the first things I think of as a solution to clothes fastenings in sewing. They are popular and cheap and relatively easy to sew, especially if you have a sewing machine.

Buttons can be plastic, shell, metal, ceramic, or even glass and come in a dizzying array of shapes and button sizes. The biggest downside of using buttons for clothes fastenings is that you need to sew a buttonhole for it to insert into. This can be done with a machine, by hand, or by using tiny loops.

Further Reading:

Types of Button Closures

2 Hole and 4 Hole Buttons - These are the most common of the different types of buttons and have holes going right from the top to the bottom of the button. They are easy to sew and are quite secure and long-lasting. Hole buttons are used on shirts, jackets, skirts, tops - just about all clothing types.

Shank Buttons - Shank buttons have a loop that sticks out from the back of the button. Instead of sewing through the top of the button, the thread passes through this shank to attach to the clothing item. Due to the shank, these buttons stick out on the garment, making them best suited to thicker fabrics such as those used for coats and jackets.

Fabric Buttons - Fabric buttons can be made using a kit and template, or you can make your own quite easily. These buttons are perfect when you are looking to match your button perfectly to the fabric of your clothing. Fabric buttons will not wear as well as plastic or metal buttons, so they are best suited to items that will not be washed quite as often.

Stud Buttons Clothes Fastenings - Stud buttons are the style you find on jeans. They are made from metal, and rather than sewing, they are attached to the fabric by way of a stud setting at the back. These are mostly professionally attached, but you can purchase small kits at most haberdasheries that include a setting tool. Stud buttons on jeans and denim jackets are often patterned and branded with logos and letters.

2. Buckles

Buckles are a popular clothing closure type and can be used to fasten belts, shoes, and even clothing. They come in metal, plastic, and wood and can be plain or decorative. Some buckles simply thread through, and others have a tongue that will need to go into a hole or eyelet.

3. Eyelets and Grommets

Eyelets will need to be used in conjunction with either a buckle or used to thread a cord, ribbon or piece of lace through. Eyelets are extremely common on leather and denim garments and are durable and able to take a lot of pressure. Thin articles of clothing are not suitable for eyelets as they tend to tear the fabric. Read more about how to set eyelets

3. Fabric Ties

Fabric ties are a type of fastener that can be used in conjunction with eyelets or fabric loops or can be sewn into the seam of an opening. Fabric ties are usually thin, so they will tie easily without coming undone.

These clothes fastenings are often found at the neck or back openings and can be matching or a decorative contrast color. You will find fabric ties at the back of many wedding dresses, enabling them to fit between a few sizes and adding a corset look. Further Reading: How to Make Spaghetti Straps

4. Frog Fasteners

Frog closures are braided clothes fastenings often found on Eastern clothing. They consist of 2 sides, one with a knot and the other a loop. These clothes fastenings can also be called frogging and were initially found on military uniforms from the 17th Century. The frog closures were often excessive and decorative.

5. Hook and Eyes

Hook and eyes are often used at the top of a zipper rather than as a stand-alone clothes fastener. They can also be used at the neck, where a small slit is used to enable a top to be put over the head.

While they come in different sizes and compositions, most clothing uses small silver metal hooks and eyes. Hooks and eyes are found at the back of bras and can be used in lingerie. Further Reading: How to Sew Hook and Eyes

6. Kam Snaps

Kam snaps are a plastic brand of snaps that are particularly popular on baby nappies and clothing. They are hand set with a pliers style of tool and are great for home sewers. Kams come with different-sized posts that you will need to match the thickness of the fabric you are using. Kam snaps are readily available on eBay and Amazon and are an inexpensive clothes fastener.

7. Ribbons and Cord

Ribbons and cords can be used in a similar way to fabric ties. They can be sewn into a seam and tied or laced through holes or loops. Ribbon is commonly used in wedding dresses and corsets. Further Reading: Types of Ribbons and How to Sew Ribbon

8. Sew in Snaps (Press Studs)

Sew-in snaps have 4 holes around their perimeter through which you hand sew. They are easy for beginners to sew and come in various sizes, from small to really big. They are mainly composed of black or silver metal, but you can also purchase plastic ones. Further Reading: How to Sew Snaps

9. Snaps (Press Studs)

Press studs, snap buttons or snap fasteners are easy clothes fastening options that are set with pliers or a special tool. They normally come in kits that include the tool. Further Reading: How to Insert Snaps

10. Toggles

Do you love Paddington Bear? Well, his little coat has wooden toggle fasteners. Toggles are long bar-shaped button that is secured with a loop fastener and can be found on coats. The term toggles are also used for the metal or plastic stopper found on the cords of hats, hoodies and activewear, and drawstring bags.

11. Velcro (Hook and Loop Tape)

Velcro is the brand name for hook and loop tape and is one of the wonders of modern sewing. It is easy for even beginners to sew and is great for bags and children's clothing.

Velcro comes in various widths, but the most common is ¾ inch (2cm). You cut it to length and sew half on either side of your closure. Also available is baby Velcro which is narrower and softer.

Velcro is usually purchased on rolls, and you will pay by the yard or meter. It can also be purchased in pre-glued dots. However you purchase it, make sure it is designed for sewing. Non-sewing types will gum up your needle if they have glue or may be too thick or stiff to even sew through. Skipped stitches are common when sewing Velcro, so use a sharp thick needle and good-quality thread.

Further Reading: How to Sew Velcro

12. Zippers

Zip fastenings have long been used as a neat and almost invisible way to secure clothing. Zippers can be metal teeth or plastic and come in various lengths. They also come in various teeth sizes so you can match the style and durability to the item you are sewing.

When reading sewing patterns, keep in mind that zippers are measured from metal stopper to stopper and not along the tape, which is often a couple of inches longer. The most common clothes fastener is the invisible zipper which can be used in skirts, pants, and dresses. Zippers can be shortened, often saving you a trip to the shop.