Snap buttons for baby onesies

Hi everyone,

I’d like to tackle my next sewing project. I’m planning to make a footless baby onesie. I bought the pattern here, but I still have some questions. Since the cover page says it’s “especially suitable for sewing beginners,” I assume that all the techniques are explained somewhere.

Specifically, I’m talking about the snaps on the shoulders. There’s a photo showing the two snaps already attached. Next to it, it says, “Attach snaps as shown.” Well, as a beginner, I don’t know what kind of snaps to buy or how to attach them. We don’t have a specialty store here, so I have to buy them online myself, and now I’m completely stumped.

I’m usually a knitter or crocheter, so I’m used to sewing on snaps by hand. But these onesies have different kinds of snaps these days.

You pros out there, please advise me on which snaps I should use, and can you briefly explain how they’re “attached”? If the snaps don’t work, even the cutest baby onesie is useless.

Thank you so much for your expertise.

Best regards, Ina

P.S. I’ve written to the author of the pattern.

Ina, I always use KAMsnaps for things like this. Just google them and you’ll find plenty. They’re really easy to attach, and every set always comes with instructions on how to attach these little snaps.

Best regards, Inge

Oh, Inge, you’re a sweetheart! I’d love to have you as my teacher :-))

But I was also annoyed that the materials list in that expensive pattern didn’t say anything specific. Why do you always have to figure everything out on your own? If a pattern says “suitable for beginners,” then I simply expect it to be specific, detailed, and foolproof—preferably with a link to a recommended product.

Okay, now I’m going to Google “Kamsnaps.”

Best regards, Ina

I once sewed a onesie in a sewing class and used Kamsnaps, too. But I just tried it out with a scrap of fabric. I then added a layer of interfacing so the fabric wouldn’t tear when opening the snap. 

Dear Petra, thank you very much for your comment as well.

I’ve just been looking into snaps online. Unfortunately, you also have to buy the necessary tools to go with the snaps.

There are open snaps (Kam Snaps) and there are ones with a closed surface—meaning, when you look at them from above, they’re solid all over. And there are plastic ones and metal ones. There are also different sizes, and each size requires a tool (pliers) or a matching attachment to attach the snap. 

If you’re a sewing pro and don’t have these at home, you’ll have to make an initial investment. That makes the onesie quite expensive. I hadn’t thought of that beforehand. Yes, you’ll need the snaps—and of course the tools—for other projects later on. But first, you have to cover the costs. I’m just writing this down here for anyone else who might be in the dark.

Best regards, Ina

Dear Ina,

I’ve had very bad experiences with KamSnaps on baby clothes!! They’re actually not suitable for jersey . If you use them, you’ll need to reinforce the fabric with Vlieseline; otherwise, they’ll rip right out!

There are special “jersey snaps,” usually sold in packs of 20 or 50. The easiest way to attach them is with a Vario plier. It’s worth buying a pair of these pliers, because you’ll also need them for eyelets or, for example, jeans buttons.

Best regards,
Sonja

P.S.: The jersey snaps come with the attachments for the Vario pliers. The same goes for eyelets, etc. I think the pliers cost around 15,-.

Dear Sonja,
thank you so much for your advice. I’ve since looked up what you mentioned online. Many people who use KamSnaps say you absolutely must reinforce the back so they don’t tear through thin fabrics like jersey. It would really be a shame to waste all that sewing work if the snaps ended up tearing through the fabric.

I’ve already received the KamSnaps I ordered. Well, they’re nice and colorful, sure, but otherwise they don’t look very reliable. I haven’t tried them out in real life yet, though. For children’s clothing, they seem a bit “toy-like” to me. They’d be ideal for doll clothes.

That’s why I’ve now also ordered the version with jersey snaps (mine are made of painted metal) and the Vario pliers. After all, they need to hold up. I’ll keep you posted here in case anyone else is currently dealing with this issue.

Best regards, Ina

@ Ina, I’ve even attached Kamsnaps to my winter jacket and to other jackets of mine—so far, they’ve always held up really well and there haven’t been any problems at all :-)

Best regards, Inge

Dear Ina,
you can also use the Vario pliers with the right attachments for Kam Snaps.
It works better for me than the actual Kam Snap pliers.
Use Kam Snaps on sturdier fabrics and jersey snaps on jersey fabrics (preferably reinforced with Vlieseline)—that way, you’ll be on the safe side. I’ve also had buttons rip out of jersey before, and that’s hard to fix.
Good luck and have fun,
Claudia

Over in the thread
Embroidering eyelets: benefits? + KamSnaps question (no advertising)
it's about KamSnaps and embroidered eyelets. Maybe you'd like to join the discussion there too?

Thanks, Inge and Claudia—it’s the same as always: the best way to learn is by doing. Everything is useful for something. And you always need snaps on clothes—you just have to get past that hurdle.

Best regards, Ina

Dear Josefa, you’re a careful reader. Thank you so much for the link. I’ll go check it out right away.
Best wishes, Ina

It’s great when you enjoy discussing these topics.

Hi Ina,

KamSnaps can be used in many different ways, e.g., for small pouches and children’s wallets. I just don’t use them on jersey clothing anymore for certain reasons.

Have fun sewing!

Best regards,
Sonja

Thanks, Sonja. I’m sure I’ll find a use for everything sooner or later. It’s just that when it comes to clothes, I didn’t want to compromise and wanted to go with the best option right away. Thanks to our discussion, I can now easily tell which ones are best suited for what and how. These are all valuable tips for a beginner sewer. It’s a shame that the “beginner-friendly” pattern I bought doesn’t mention any of this. You have to figure it all out on your own.

So thank you very much for your comments.
Best regards, Ina

Kamsnaps are pretty and colorful, cheap, and relatively easy to attach with the included pliers. But that’s about it.

They close so tightly that you can barely open them—you either have to carefully pry them open every time or rip them off with force. This ends up damaging the clothes or the snaps themselves. Eventually they’ll wear out a bit, but that takes a while.
The fabric really needs to be reinforced well. It’s better to use metal snaps (for jersey); if necessary, you can also attach them with the included tool and a hammer. 

Hi muhkuefchen,
You’re absolutely right. I’ve had the same experience. That’s why, so far, I’ve only used metal snaps for my jersey children’s clothes. Just being colorful isn’t enough here—they have to be reliable and work properly. Otherwise, all that sewing work ends up being for nothing.

Best regards, Ina