April 27, 2010

Yarn Button Tutorial



Today, I thought it would be nice to show you how to make that cute yarn button featured in my Hooded Scarf sewing pattern.  I've had a few emails asking if I made the button and if so, could I share how.  The answer to that question is no I didn't make that particular button, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.  
Ahh I couldn't resist.  
Anywho moving on.  As I was saying, I didn't make that one, it was an extra button from an Anthro sweater of mine, but I do know how to make them.



As you can see, you can make these buttons with many different types of yarn and embroidery floss colors (yellow button).  I prefer a mohair type of yarn, because I like the look of it and you can thread it through an embroidery needle.


Materials needed...

Yarn - About 2 yards will be enough for this project.  If you have too much yarn it will be difficult to wrap around the plastic ring.
Needle that is big enough to thread the yarn through.
Plastic ring - I used a 1 1/8" plastic ring found at Michaels.  However, the Anthro button has a center bar (I felt it), so I believe they used a belt buckle or something.

Directions

1.  With one end of the yarn, tie a knot around the ring.


2. Begin to wrap the yarn around the ring.  When you wrap the yarn, be sure to wrap the little yarn tail from the knot.  Do not cut the yarn once you have finished wrapping the ring.



3.  Once you have wrapped the entire ring, begin to fill in the center by stitching a Satin Stitch.  First, begin where you finished wrapping the ring (see #1) and insert the needle into the opposite side of the ring, making sure that you stay within the ring (see #2).  Next, pull the yarn through so that the yarn is taut.  After pulling the yarn through, insert the needle next where you began (#3). Pull the yarn up and through nice and tight again. Repeat these steps making sure your stitches are close together. Work your way to the opposite side of the ring.  If you find your ring is not thick or has some holes, repeat the stitching across to the other side again. 


4. When the button is nice and thick, decide which is the front and which is the back of the button.  Bring the yarn towards the back and begin to weave it through the yarn on the button (careful not to weave to the front of the button), making your way to the middle.  If you are going to sew the button to a sweater or some type of loose knit, you can use the yarn tale to do so.  Simply stitch the button to the loose knit using the yarn tale.  However for most fabrics, the yarn may be too thick to stitch with.  If this is the case, tie a knot and cut off the yarn tail.


5.  Thread your needle with matching thread and tie the thread to a couple strands of yarn.  Make sure the thread is centered and secure.



6.  Stitch your button to the fabric.



That's it!

To give you an idea of how they look on a sweater, here's the Anthro sweater from the original button.  



Cheers,

Jamie

15 comments:

mommy Orkid Belle said...

It is so cute and so as the hooded scarf! Very creative! :)

Karen said...

Thanks for the clear and easy tutorial. I love these buttons and want to make a few now that I have seen that I can do it.

Miss Pelicano said...

So cute! And great instructions.

Heather said...

That is such a great idea, thank so much for sharing this!

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

Aww, those are so pretty! I love this texture for a sweater- yum! Thanks so much for the great tutorial, I'll be linking.

Brett Bara said...

Very cool! I have never seen a button made like this, how clever. Thanks for the tutorial!

Drea said...

This is amazing!! I saw some plastic rings at the craft store today and was wondering what I could do with them. I'll have to get some the next time I'm there.

Meirav Seifert said...

pretty!

Anonymous said...

you can also find the rings in smaller stores with the curtain rod section (might be a little cheaper than buying from a craft store). Also I tried crocheting around the ring first (just a simple single crochet, like the button hole stitch), just twist the stitces inside when you are done, it gives something a little sturdier to run your yarn across the hole. Hope this makes sense, I have never been good at writing down my own directions.
By the way I really love the buttons, they are very cool for decorating everything.

MooBear Designs said...

Oh how sweet are these?! I am excited!!

xo Steph

DM said...

just discovering it, great idea! thank you !

kamagra said...

Perfect tutorial I can see as you make beautiful things you're also beautiful, I saw you in the first image and I was surprised, on the other hand what a creative things you make with you hands.m10m

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This will not really work, I suppose this way.