Thursday, September 30

artful thursdays #24....easy no-sew embroidered button tutorial


i am so excited to get back to my artful thursday projects. today my tutorial is how to make super easy no-sew embroidered buttons.

as i was digging through the vintage sewing supplies at one of my regular antique store stops i found this prims, cover a button kit. inside there are four sizes of buttons to cover. apparently they are washable and rustproof. splendid.
it is so easy you don't even need a tool. and just in case you didn't find a little cover a button kit do not fret, i found a similar button kit at joanns.
i like the buttons with the little teeth on the back.



it all started with an old embroidered pillow case. i had cut off the hand crocheted trim to use and couldn't quite discard the little embroidered daisies, so i made a little covered button and liked it so much.


i started looking through my old linens for bits of embroidery i could use.
there it was, the perfect little hankie. stained and torn but with lovely bullion roses and chrysanthemums hand embroidered to the thin cotton.



step 1. wrap your embroidered fabric over the button form to position your design.


step 2. cut out a circle of scrap fabric to test the size then lay your scrap pattern over your embroidery. position, pin, and cut out. my hankie was so thin i used a circle of plain cotton to back the embroidery so the silver button wouldn't show through.


step 3. tuck the circle ends all around the back of the button pulling the fabric taught and positioning your design so you like it.


step 4. place the back over the loop shank and press until the button snaps closed. after the backing is in place you can't take it off and reposition so make sure your edges are smooth and you like how the stitching is centered.

i will never know who stitched this gorgeous piece of embroidery, but i love that i found a way to use it a little bit longer...

happy thursday, julie

17 comments:

Tammie Lee said...

thank you so much for this tutorial, it is quite inspiring!

Connie said...

Wow, Julie, these are sweet and gorgeous! I think I have some of the bases in my sewing box that I've been waiting to do something fun with. Love your ideas...thanks for sharing!

kt said...

I love, love this idea! I use old embroidered linens in my work and I never want to throw away any part of them now I know what to do with the tiniest of left over bits.

Unknown said...

What a lovely idea to do with stained embroidered linens. That tiny piece of embroidery continues to give pleasure in it's new "life"!

Unknown said...

so happy you shared this! I'm sure whoever's hands the embroidery was made by would be most pleased!

pinkroses said...

Oh I just love this idea! I will be making some this weekend! You always inspire me! xo

tamdoll said...

Beautiful! A fantastic reuse.. I'll be looking closer at some of my thrifted fabrics from now on.

Decor To Adore said...

Oh I adore this! I have a few hankies myself that could dress up a few old sweaters.

Congratulations to the happy couple.

If you get a moment, I would love for you to stop by and enter my fabulous fall and French GIVEAWAY.

Raejean said...

WOW...never even thought about that...great idea and cute as a "button". thanks
RaeJean

Stephanie said...

What a wonderful way to make use of every usable bit of well-loved (or overly-aged) vintage linens!

Creative Mind said...

this is really smart..sooo cute...

LOV said...

This tutorial reminded me of artist Nava Lubelski's work. Instead of avoiding stains and holes on old linens she embroiders directly on top of them with bright colors to glorify the "flaws." There's an interview with her here: http://blog.thepresentgroup.com/?p=1939

LOV said...

Sorry, link didn't work: Nava Lubelski interview

jo said...

Thanks so much for this lovely way to save the artistry of the past. I did this and made a ring out of it...then I put a little grouping together on the side of my hat...then I put another two as buttons for a scarf...wow...I'm hooked on this now! Thanks so much!!!!- jo from www. OttLite.com/blog

Hovawart said...

Brilliant. I am always feeling so regretful when I see all the vintage handwork at thrift stores. I think of all the care and hours women put into these, and now no one has any use for them. So I like tutes that give me ideas of how to repurpose them.

Anonymous said...

I've used the same idea utilizing old silk neckties that sport awesome pattern details!

Anonymous said...

I've used the same idea utilizing old silk neckties that sport awesome pattern details!

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