Recycle Fabric wtih Fabric Buttons! November 17 2015

Do you have some old clothes or fabric scraps lying around, but don't want to throw them away?

Beautiful fabrics can be used to make great pins, brooches or even earrings with your button maker! Get creative and upcycle some of the materials you have at home.

When using fabric to make buttons, you can get a more textured look to your button than the usual glossy finish that comes with using mylar and paper.

Before you get started, here are some things you should know about how to make fabric buttons with your button maker.

What kind of fabric to use with your button maker

When attempting to make fabric buttons you should know that not all fabric can be used with your button maker.

You need fabric with a high tensile strength - is able to be stretched - otherwise tearing can be a problem and your buttons will tear at the edges.

You will also have trouble pressing a button with fabric if the fabric is too thick. Anytime the fabric, paper or any material is too thick your machine will get jammed.

Testing fabric with your button maker

The only way to really know if your fabric will work with your button maker is to test it.

The button making process does not put a lot of pressure on the fabric, but do a small test before cutting or purchasing a large quantity of fabric.

Cutting your fabric

Use a piece of mylar as a guide for cutting your fabric with scissors unless you have a rotary cutter. A fabric pencil will work great to mark where you should cut your fabric.

Graphic punches that often come in button making kits do not work with fabric. Trying to feed fabric through a graphic punch is pretty impossible.

A rotary cutter can work with some types of fabric, but again you will want to test it with the fabric you are planning to use as cuts will differ depending on the kind of fabric.

It's great to switch up your buttons and try new things! Just remember to always test new materials before embarking on a big project!

Want more crafty ideas and tips for button makers? Check us out on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram! And of course we'd love for you to share your fabric button creations with us.

Have a question about another project you'd like to try with your button maker? Let us know and that could be our next how-to blog!