Plastic Buttons — for Sewing, Decoration and Crafting

Plastic buttons are one of those small accessories with countless uses. The first that comes to mind is sewing — fastening a shirt, replacing a lost button, finishing off a garment. But buttons are just as often used for hobby projects.

These days buttons get glued onto cards and albums, strung into bracelets and charms, used to decorate bags and backpacks, and put to work in children’s crafting. Plastic buttons are light, colourful and affordable — which makes them one of the most versatile craft materials worth keeping to hand.

Types of plastic buttons

• Two-hole and four-hole. The classic flat buttons. Two holes are quicker to sew on; four hold more firmly and allow a crossed or parallel stitch, which is a little decoration in itself.
• Shank buttons. Instead of holes on top, these have a loop on the back — a shank. They sit slightly raised above the fabric, which suits thicker cloth, coats, and cases where you want the button to stand proud rather than lie flat.
• Decorative and novelty shapes. Buttons shaped like flowers, hearts, animals and stars. More for decoration than fastening — favourites on children’s clothes, cards and craft projects.
• Colours and effects. Matte, glossy, transparent, metallic or two-tone. Here the choice is purely aesthetic — the button becomes an accent, not just a fastener.

What they’re used for

• Sewing and repairs. The core role — fastening and replacing buttons on clothes. For that you’ll also need the right thread, strong enough to survive washing and wear.
• Scrapbooking and cards. Buttons are a favourite element in scrapbooking — glued or stitched on for a raised accent on cards, albums and tags.
• Jewellery and accessories. Strung or stitched together, buttons make unusual bracelets, brooches and earrings in boho and vintage styles. For dangly earrings you’ll also need earring findings — the small metal parts earrings are built on. The upcycling trend has brought the button back into jewellery.
• Decorating clothes and bags. Beyond the functional, buttons decorate bags, backpacks and clothes — stitched on in groups or as single accents.
• Seasonal projects. Small novelty buttons go into small charms and festive decorations as colourful details.

How to choose

By purpose

First decide whether the button is functional or decorative. Functional ones call for strength and an exact size. Decorative ones give you freedom — there, shape, colour and finish count for more than durability.

By size and holes

When in doubt, measure an existing button or the buttonhole itself with a ruler — that’s the surest way to get the size right.

What to combine them with

For sewing, you’ll need thread in a matching colour and the right strength. If you’re making something that’ll be fastened and unfastened often, consider snap fasteners too — press studs that close with a push, no stitch or buttonhole. In decorative and jewellery projects, buttons go with beads, ribbons, lace and cords — the combination depends entirely on the style you’re after.

More materials to get inspired:

Wooden buttons

for boho and eco projects

Acrylic beads

to string with buttons

Cords and threads

ribbons and lace

Tools

scissors, glues, needles

Frequently asked questions