I’m a hoarder of the tiny, plastic, and utterly useless. Specifically, I hoard buttons. You know that random jar of spare buttons that comes with a new coat? Or the baggie your grandma gives you “just in case” you need to sew something? Yeah, mine have multiplied and taken over a drawer. If you’re in the same boat, or if you just have a junk drawer that’s about to explode, I’ve got the perfect solution. We’re going to turn those forgotten fasteners into something awesome.
Forget just sewing them back on a shirt. We’re getting crafty. I’ve rounded up 12 of my favorite DIY button crafts that are perfect for a weekend afternoon. They’re a fantastic way to upcycle, use up supplies, and create something genuinely cool. Ready to raid your sewing kit? Let’s go.
1. The “Blingy” Button Vase Makeover
I’m a sucker for a good upcycle, and nothing is sadder than an old glass jar. You know the ones—spaghetti sauce, pickle jars, that weird candle you finally burned to the bottom. Instead of tossing them in the recycling bin, let’s give them a glow-up.
What You’ll Need:
- A clean glass jar (remove that sticky label residue—my least favorite chore!)
- A hot glue gun and glue sticks
- A collection of buttons in varying sizes and colors
- (Optional) Spray paint or acrylic paint if you want a colored base
The Process:
Start by playing around with your button arrangement on the jar. I like to cluster them by color for an ombre effect, but a random, chaotic mix has its own charm too. Ever noticed how a monochromatic look can feel super sophisticated?
Once you’re happy with the layout, start gluing. Put a dab of hot glue on the back of each button and press it onto the glass for a few seconds. Work in small sections so the glue doesn’t dry before you get there.
For a more polished look, you can spray paint the entire jar (buttons and all) one solid color. I did this with a copper metallic spray paint once, and IMO, it looked like a pricey store-bought piece of decor. Total game-changer. 😛
2. Button Napkin Rings for a Fancy Dinner
Who says upcycled crafts can’t be elegant? These napkin rings are ridiculously easy to make, but they look like you spent hours at a craft fair. They also make fantastic, personalized gifts.
Crafting Your Rings:
- Grab some plain wooden napkin rings from a craft store. They’re usually dirt cheap.
- Select a few stunning buttons—think of these as the stars of the show. Mother-of-pearl or vintage metal buttons work best here.
- Arrange them on the ring and glue them down with strong craft glue or hot glue.
- For extra flair, you can wrap some jute twine or a thin ribbon around the ring before adding the buttons.
That’s it. Seriously. Your guests will be so impressed, and you can casually drop, “Oh, these old things? Just some buttons and glue.”
3. A “Button Bouquet” That Won’t Die
I love having fresh flowers in the house, but my track record for keeping plants alive is… spotty at best. If you also possess a “black thumb,” this one’s for you. We’re making a forever bouquet.
Here’s the deal:
- Stems: You’ll need floral wire and green floral tape.
- Flowers: A bunch of buttons in graduated sizes. For each flower, you’ll want 3-4 buttons that get progressively smaller.
- Assembly: Thread the largest button onto the floral wire. Then the next largest, then the smallest. Push them all down to the bottom of the wire.
- Securing It: Bend a tiny hook at the very top of the wire (above the smallest button) and pull it back down through the button holes. This locks them in place. Then, wrap the entire wire “stem” with the green floral tape.
You can make a whole bunch and arrange them in a vase. The best part? No watering required.
4. Revamping a Boring Lamp Shade
Got a lampshade that’s seen better days? Or maybe you found a sad-looking one at a thrift store for a couple of bucks? I did, and it was beige and depressing. Buttons to the rescue!
Method to the Madness:
You can go for a structured look or total chaos. I prefer chaos.
- Hot glue is your best friend here.
- Start at the top or bottom and work your way around. Overlap the buttons slightly to ensure no fabric shows through.
- Mix colors, sizes, and textures wildly. The goal is to cover the entire shade.
- It’s heavy, I won’t lie. But when you turn that lamp on, the light filtering through the gaps in the buttons creates the most incredible, dappled effect in the room. It’s pure magic.
5. DIY Button Magnets (The 5-Minute Craft)
Need an instant gratification project? This is it. You probably have all the supplies already, and you can finish a set of four in the time it takes to boil water for tea.
You’ll need:
- Strong craft magnets (the round, flat ones with adhesive backs are a lifesaver)
- Buttons (the bigger and more unique, the better)
- Hot glue
Just do this:
Peel the backing off your magnet and stick it to the back of the button. If your magnet isn’t self-adhesive, just hot glue it on. Done. Slap them on your fridge, a magnetic whiteboard, or your metal toolbox. They hold up surprisingly well, too. I’ve had some holding up my kid’s art for over a year now.
6. A Textured Button Photo Frame
This is a classic for a reason. It’s a fantastic way to showcase a special photo because the frame becomes a piece of art itself.
Pro-Tips from personal experience:
- Start with a plain, cheap wood or plastic frame.
- Paint or stain the frame first. If a tiny gap between buttons shows, you want it to look intentional, not like you forgot. A contrasting color looks great.
- Arrange your buttons on the frame before you glue. This is crucial!
- Use strong craft glue (not hot glue) for this, as hot glue can sometimes pop off if the frame gets knocked around.
Fill the frame with a black and white photo. The texture of the buttons against the simple photo is chef’s kiss.
7. Button-Adorned Throw Pillows
Want to add some pizzazz to your couch without buying new pillows? Grab a plain pillow cover or even an old pillowcase you don’t love anymore.
Two Ways to Tackle This:
- The Simple Sew: Sew buttons directly onto the fabric. This is easier if you can remove the pillow insert first. You can create patterns, spell out words (like a giant “S” for your initial), or just scatter them. Make sure they’re sewn on tight so they don’t end up as dog toys.
- The No-Sew Patch: Cut shapes out of felt, sew or glue buttons onto the felt shapes, and then use fabric glue to attach the felt patches to the pillow. This is a great option if the thought of sewing through a thick pillow makes you want to cry.
8. Kids’ Button Snake Toy
This is part craft, part toy, and it’s fantastic for keeping little hands busy. Plus, it helps toddlers work on their fine motor skills. Sneaky educational crafts are the best kind.
Let’s make it:
- Cut several different shapes out of colorful felt squares. Cut a small slit in the middle of each shape.
- Take a long piece of ribbon and sew a large button securely to one end. (This button needs to be bigger than the slits in your felt shapes).
- Sew or tie a knot on the other end of the ribbon to prevent the shapes from sliding off.
Now, the kid can “feed” the ribbon through the slits in the felt shapes, starting with the button end. It’s simple, quiet, and oddly satisfying. I might have played with it myself a few times after the kids went to bed.
9. Nature-Inspired Button Art on Canvas
Sometimes you just want to make some art for your walls. This project is about creating an image using buttons as your “paint.”
Get Inspired:
- Go for a tree silhouette with a brown trunk and branches painted on a small canvas, then cover the branches with green and brown buttons as leaves.
- Create an owl. Seriously, buttons are perfect for owls. Use a large button for each eye, and smaller ones to create a feathered texture on the body.
- Make a simple heart shape filled with red and pink buttons.
My advice: Sketch your design lightly on the canvas with a pencil first. Then, fill it in with buttons and glue. The 3D effect is always stunning.
10. Revitalize a Dreary Bulletin Board
Is your corkboard looking a little drab? You can cover the frame with buttons, or go totally wild and cover the entire cork surface.
- For the frame: This is similar to the photo frame project.
- For the cork itself: This takes a lot of buttons and patience, but the result is a highly textured surface that you can still stick pins into (between the buttons). Glue buttons around the very edge to create a decorative border, or cluster them in a corner.
It transforms a boring office supply into a statement piece.
11. Button Bookmarks for Book Lovers
This is another incredibly simple project that makes a great gift for the reader in your life. Ever lost your page in a good book because your cat stole your scrap paper? Never again.
Crafting Time:
- Cut a length of ribbon, about 8-10 inches long.
- Sew or glue a beautiful, large button to one end of the ribbon.
- On the other end, you can either leave it plain, cut a V-shape, or add a smaller charm.
Slide the button end between the pages to mark your spot, and let the ribbon dangle out. Functional and pretty. I lose these constantly, so I have to make a new batch every few months.
12. The “Memory” Button Shadow Box
This is my personal favorite because it turns a collection into a piece of sentimental art. If you have a bunch of random buttons, especially old ones from relatives, put them to use.
How to do it:
- Get a deep-set shadow box frame.
- Choose a fabric or decorative paper for the backing.
- Arrange your buttons inside the box. Don’t glue them down yet!
- You can group them by color, size, or just scatter them. I like to arrange them so they slightly overlap, creating a “spill” effect.
- Once you love the layout, use a tiny dab of glue to secure each button to the backing.
This is a fantastic conversation starter. Every time someone sees mine, they ask about it, and I get to tell them about the button from my grandmother’s wedding coat or the one from my first job’s uniform.
So, there you have it. Twelve ways to empty that button jar and create something unique in the process. Which one are you going to try first? I’m personally leaning towards another shadow box, because my button collection has mysteriously grown again. Funny how that happens. :/ Happy crafting, friends
