Master the Art of Fabric Covered Buttons for Stunning Upholstery Projects

Welcome to the ultimate guide for creating custom fabric-covered buttons! If you’re embarking on an upholstery project, especially one involving tufting, you know that the details make all the difference. While store-bought buttons can work, nothing quite compares to the professional, cohesive look of buttons covered in the exact fabric of your furniture piece. This simple yet transformative technique elevates your DIY projects, adding a touch of bespoke elegance and personalized charm.

Today, we’re thrilled to share an in-depth tutorial that demystifies the process of covering buttons with fabric. We recently tackled an extensive project, our Upholster a Bench Cushion and Tufting series, where fabric-covered buttons were an absolute necessity. The results were astounding, and we’re convinced that once you learn this skill, you’ll never look back. It’s an incredibly straightforward process that yields incredibly professional results, making it an essential technique for any DIY enthusiast or aspiring upholsterer. Get ready to transform your furniture with perfectly coordinated, handmade buttons!

Watch our comprehensive video tutorial below to see just how easy it is to create your own custom buttons. This visual guide walks you through each step, ensuring you gain the confidence to apply this skill to all your future upholstery endeavors.

Why Fabric Covered Buttons Are a Game-Changer for Upholstery

Fabric-covered buttons are more than just a decorative element; they are a cornerstone of professional upholstery, particularly in tufting. They offer unparalleled customization, allowing you to seamlessly integrate buttons into your design, creating a uniform and sophisticated appearance. Imagine a beautifully tufted headboard or bench where every button perfectly matches the surrounding fabric – it’s this attention to detail that sets a truly handcrafted piece apart. Beyond aesthetics, they provide a durable and comfortable finish, especially for high-use items like cushions and seating.

The Allure of Tufting: Where Covered Buttons Shine

Tufting is a classic upholstery technique that involves pulling fabric and filling material back into the frame, creating depressions and securing them with buttons. This process not only adds visual depth and texture but also helps to keep the stuffing in place, ensuring the piece maintains its shape over time. Different tufting styles, such as diamond, biscuit, or channel tufting, each create unique patterns and aesthetics. In most tufting methods, visible buttons are crucial for both function and design. Using fabric-covered buttons ensures these visible elements enhance, rather than detract from, the overall design, making them an indispensable part of achieving that coveted, high-end upholstered look.

Essential Supplies for Crafting Your Custom Buttons

Before diving into the hands-on process, it’s crucial to gather the right tools and materials. Having everything neatly laid out will make your button-covering experience smooth and enjoyable. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:

Cover Button Kits: For this project, we recommend 7/8 inch Half Ball Cover Buttons. These kits typically include the button fronts, button backs, and a two-part tool (a pusher and a mold) specifically designed for easy assembly. Half-ball buttons are ideal for upholstery and tufting because their domed shape provides a substantial, elegant look and is comfortable against the body.
Fabric of Choice: This is where your creativity truly comes into play! Select the same fabric you are using for your upholstery project to ensure a perfect match. Consider the fabric’s weight, stretch, and pattern. Medium-weight upholstery fabric, cotton duck, linen, or even velvet work wonderfully. Avoid overly thick or delicate fabrics if you’re a beginner, as they can be challenging to work with.
Sharp Fabric Scissors: Precision is key when cutting your fabric circles. Invest in a good pair of fabric shears to ensure clean, crisp cuts that won’t fray or distort your material.
Invisible Ink Pen or Fabric Marker: A disappearing ink pen or a light fabric marker is invaluable for accurately marking your fabric circles before cutting. This ensures consistency in size, which is critical for a professional finish.
Measuring Tape or Ruler: Essential for precisely measuring the fabric circles you’ll need.
Iron and Ironing Board (Optional but Recommended): Pressing your fabric beforehand helps to remove wrinkles and ensures a smoother, more professional button.
Thimble (Optional): If you find yourself pushing hard on the button back, a thimble can protect your finger.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Cover Your Buttons with Fabric

Now that your supplies are ready, let’s walk through the simple steps to create beautiful, custom fabric-covered buttons. Follow along with the video for a dynamic visual aid.

Step 1: Prepare Your Fabric Circles

The first crucial step is to cut your fabric into the correct size circles. For 7/8 inch half-ball buttons, you’ll generally need a fabric circle that is approximately double the diameter of the button front, plus a little extra for tucking. A good rule of thumb is to measure the button front, then place it on your fabric. Using your invisible ink pen, draw a circle around the button that is roughly 1.5 to 2 inches larger in diameter than the button itself. This extra fabric provides enough material to securely wrap around the button front and tuck into the back without being too bulky. Cut out your circles carefully, ensuring smooth edges.

Step 2: Position Fabric in the Button Mold

Take one of the two parts of your button-covering tool – this is usually the larger, cup-shaped mold. Place one of your fabric circles face down into this mold. Ensure the fabric is centered and evenly distributed within the mold. The “right side” of your fabric (the side you want to be visible on the finished button) should be facing down into the mold.

Step 3: Insert the Button Front

Next, place one of the metal button fronts (the domed part) on top of the fabric, in the center of the mold. The domed side of the button should be facing down, resting on the fabric. The back of the button (the part with the loop) should be facing up.

Step 4: Tuck the Fabric Edges

Carefully gather the edges of the fabric up and over the button front. Try to tuck them as evenly as possible towards the center of the button. This ensures a smooth finish on the front and prevents any uneven bulges. Don’t worry if it looks a little messy at this stage; the next step will secure everything.

Step 5: Attach the Button Back

Take one of the metal button backs. This piece usually has a shank or a flat back with a textured edge designed to snap into place. Place the button back on top of the tucked fabric, with the shank facing upwards. Press down firmly with your fingers, ensuring it’s aligned correctly over the fabric and the button front.

Step 6: Secure with the Pusher Tool

Now, take the second part of your button-covering tool – the pusher. Place the pusher tool firmly over the button back. With even pressure, push down on the tool until you hear a distinct “click.” This sound indicates that the button back has securely snapped into place, locking the fabric around the button front. For best results, apply steady, firm pressure rather than a quick, jarring force.

Step 7: Remove and Inspect Your Button

Gently remove your newly covered button from the mold. Inspect it carefully. The fabric should be taut and smooth across the front, with no wrinkles or puckering. The back should be securely fastened, with no loose fabric edges. If you notice any imperfections, simply remove the back (some kits allow this more easily than others), readjust the fabric, and try again.

Tips for Achieving Professional-Looking Fabric Covered Buttons

Consistent Fabric Cuts: Ensure all your fabric circles are cut to the same size. Inconsistency can lead to some buttons being too loose and others having too much bulky fabric.
Fabric Grain Matters: If your fabric has a distinct pattern or a specific grain direction, pay attention to how you place it in the mold. You’ll want the pattern to be centered and aligned correctly on the finished button.
Test Fabric Thickness: If you’re using a very thick fabric, you might need to trim the fabric circle slightly smaller to prevent too much bulk when tucking, which could prevent the button back from snapping securely.
Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t be discouraged if your first few buttons aren’t flawless. It takes a little practice to get the tension and tucking just right.
Use the Right Tools: While some DIYers try to improvise, using the proper button-covering tool kit ensures consistent, secure, and professional results.

Beyond Tufting: Versatile Uses for Fabric Covered Buttons

While fabric-covered buttons are a staple in upholstery and tufting, their utility extends far beyond furniture. Once you master this skill, you’ll discover countless ways to incorporate these customized embellishments into various creative projects:

Garment Embellishments: Add a bespoke touch to cardigans, blazers, blouses, or even coats. Matching fabric buttons elevate the look of any handmade or store-bought garment.
Home Decor Accents: Use them on throw pillows, drapes, or as decorative elements on storage boxes and lampshades. They create a harmonious look throughout your living space.
Hair Accessories: Transform them into unique hair ties, barrettes, or headbands. A small fabric button can add a charming detail to a simple elastic band.
Jewelry Making: With the right findings, fabric buttons can become beautiful brooches, earrings, or pendants, showcasing your favorite fabrics in miniature form.
Craft Projects: From scrapbooking to creating unique gifts, fabric buttons can add texture, color, and a personalized flair to a wide array of craft endeavors.

Take Your Skills Further: Apply Them to Upholstery Projects!

Now that you’ve mastered the art of covering buttons, you’re perfectly equipped to tackle more ambitious upholstery projects. The custom buttons you’ve created are integral to achieving a polished, professional finish, especially for tufted pieces.

We highly recommend applying what you’ve learned to our comprehensive bench cushion project, which heavily relies on these custom buttons to create its signature tufted look:

(Part 1) How to Upholster a Bench Cushion + Tufting: This guide walks you through the initial steps of preparing your bench cushion for upholstery and the foundational work for tufting.
(Part 2) How to Upholster a Bench Cushion + Tufting: Continue your journey with Part 2, where you’ll bring your custom fabric-covered buttons into play, creating the beautiful tufted depressions that define the cushion’s style.

By following these tutorials, you’ll not only learn to cover buttons but also gain valuable insights into the entire upholstery process, from cutting fabric to securing your tufts. There’s immense satisfaction in seeing a project through from start to finish, especially when every detail, right down to the buttons, reflects your personal touch and craftsmanship. Dive in and start creating!