Plastic Buttons — for Sewing, Decoration and Craft

Plastic buttons are one of those small supplies with a surprisingly long list of uses. Sewing is the obvious one — buttoning a shirt, replacing a lost button, finishing a handmade garment. But buttons have quietly become a staple of hobby and craft projects too.

 

These days they get glued onto cards and scrapbook pages, strung into bracelets and martenitsi — traditional Bulgarian red-and-white spring charms — used to embellish bags and backpacks, and pulled out for children’s craft sessions. Lightweight, colorful, and affordable, plastic buttons are one of those craft supplies that earn their place in any stash.

 

Types of plastic buttons

Two-hole and four-hole. The classic flat button. Two holes are quicker to sew; four holes hold more firmly and open up decorative stitch options — a cross or parallel lines that become a small detail in their own right.

 

Shank buttons. Instead of holes on the face, these have a loop on the back. They sit slightly raised above the fabric — practical for heavier materials like coats, and useful whenever you want the button to stand out rather than lie flat.

 

Decorative shapes. Flowers, hearts, animals, stars. These are suitable for fun decorations on children’s clothing, handmade cards, and creative projects.

 

Colored and effects. Matte, gloss, transparent, metallic or two-tone. Here the choice is purely aesthetic — the button becomes an accent, not just a fastening.

 

What they are used for

Sewing and repairs. The core use — fastening garments and replacing buttons that have been lost or damaged. For anything that you’ll wear and wash regularly, pair it with thread strong enough to hold up to both.

 

Scrapbooking and cards. Buttons are a go-to element in scrapbooking — sewn or glued on for a raised, tactile accent on cards, albums and tags.

 

Jewellery and accessories. Strung or stitched, buttons make for distinctive bracelets, brooches, and boho and vintage earrings. For drop earrings, you will also need earring findings. The upcycling trend has firmly brought buttons back into jewellery making.

 

Embellishing clothing and bags. Beyond their functional role, buttons make great embellishments on bags, backpacks and garments — grouped together or placed as individual accents.

 

Martenitsi and seasonal projects. Small novelty buttons work well as colorful details in martenitsi and festive decorations.

 

🎨 Button craft ideas for children: Buttons are a near-perfect children’s craft material — lightweight, colorful, safe to glue and available in a huge range of sizes. Arrange them in a rainbow arc on a blue card for a color-sorting activity. Glue them as the outline of an Easter egg and frame it — instant seasonal décor. Line them up behind a green pompom head on a paper leaf to make a caterpillar. Young children love sorting and arranging by color and shape. Always under adult supervision — buttons are a choking hazard for children under 3.

 

How to choose

 

By intended use

Start by deciding whether the button is functional or decorative. Functional buttons need to be the right size and durable enough for repeated use. Decorative buttons give you much more freedom — shape, color and finish matter more than strength.

 

By size and hole type

What size do you need?

• Shirts and blouses — 10–12 mm
• Trousers, skirts and dresses — 15–18 mm
• Jackets — 18–22 mm
• Coats — 22–30 mm and above
• Decorative use — size does not matter; choose by look

 

If you are unsure, measure an existing button or the buttonhole directly with a ruler — it is the most reliable way to get the right fit.

 

What to combine them with

For sewing, you will need thread in a matching color and appropriate weight. If you are making something that will be fastened and unfastened frequently, snap fasteners are worth considering — they press shut without any stitching or buttonholes. In decorative and jewellery projects, buttons pair naturally with beads, ribbons, lace and cord — the combination depends entirely on the aesthetic you are going for.

 

Delivery information

Order online anytime. For payment terms, timelines, and delivery options, see our order and delivery page.

 

Frequently asked questions

 

What is the difference between two-hole, four-hole, and shank buttons?

Two-hole buttons are the quickest to sew on. Four-hole buttons hold more securely and allow decorative stitching — a cross or parallel lines. Shank buttons have a loop on the back instead of holes on the face; they sit slightly raised above the fabric, making them well suited to heavier fabrics and coats.

 

Can plastic buttons be machine washed?

Smooth, solid buttons handle machine washing without any issues. With decorative and novelty shapes, take more care — fine details can break at high temperatures or under a heavy spin cycle. For garments that get washed frequently, stick to more robust styles.

 

Are they suitable for children’s craft projects?

Colorful buttons are a favourite in children’s crafts. Important: Small buttons are not suitable for children under 3 years of age due to choking risk. Adult supervision is recommended whenever young children are working with small components.

 

Plastic or wooden buttons?

It comes down to the project and the look you are after. Plastic buttons offer more variety in color, shape, and finishes, and they hold up better to moisture. Wooden buttons have a warmer, more organic feel that suits boho and eco-conscious projects well. For anything that will be washed regularly, plastic is the more practical choice.