How to Make Fabric Buttons (Without a kit or machine)

Did you know you can save some money and a trip to the store by learning how to make fabric buttons without a kit or machine? This fast and easy tutorial will show you how to create designer buttons of any size, to match any outfit in just a few minutes.

Prefer to use a kit? Read my article on how to make buttons with a kit.

Supplies

• Buttons in your desired size. This method will work with flat, domed and even shank buttons.
• A small amount of polyester fill. This can be used to give flat buttons a nice domed look.
• Hand needle and strong thread. I like to use an upholstery thread.
• Small scraps of fabric. Try to find pieces with small prints.

How to Make Fabric Buttons: The Video

Watch this really short video on how to make fabric buttons. You can see just how easy and quick they really are. Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more weekly sewing and craft videos.

How to Make Fabric Buttons

Step 1: Measure your button across the center (the diameter)

Step 2: Cut a circle with double the diameter of your button. My button was 1 inch in diameter so I cut a 2 inch diameter circle. I just roughly drew the circle. The edges will be hidden so there is no need to worry about it being perfect.

Step 3: Thread your needle double and knot the end. Stitch around the outside of the circle with a small running stitch. Get as close to the edge as you can and use quite small stitches to make nice even gathers.

Step 4: Place your fabric wrong side facing up. For flat buttons, place a very small piece of polyester fill in the center of the fabric. Domed buttons may not need the stuffing or you can just put a smaller amount to suit your taste.

Step 5: Put the button in the center of the fabric on top of the fill. For flat buttons, it doesn’t matter which way up the button is placed. Domed buttons should be placed with the dome facing down. Shank buttons should be placed with the shank facing up.

Step 6: Gently pull the thread so the fabric gathers around the button.

Step 7: Once it is gathered pull a little tighter and put a few stitches through the back and knot off the thread. If your button has a shank make sure the shank is still exposed.

And you are all done and ready to attach your fabric covered button to something wonderful.

More Button Tutorials

1. Types of Buttons
2. How to Sew a Button – 4 holes, 2 holes and shank
3. How to Sew a Buttonhole | Automatic & Manual
4. Hand Sewn Buttonhole
5. How to Sew a Button on a Shirt
6. How to Make Fabric Buttons (Without a kit or machine)
7. Easy Fabric Covered Buttons Tutorial – How to Make Buttons
8. Alternatives to Buttonholes