Buttons on Handmade Projects: Which Buttons Do You Like to Use Most?

Dear users, dear designers,
which buttons do you like to use most in your handmade projects?
Tell me about your button preferences. :-)

Would anyone else like to add anything?

This thread feels very, very lonely.

To be honest, I’ve never bought a button in my entire life :D

When I first started crocheting and needed some for a bunny’s overalls, my mom gave me a little bag of old buttons she still had at home. Very simple ones.
So far, I’ve always just used those—I’ve never had to buy any more :)

However, I often find myself drawn to large, unusual buttons in special shapes and colors. Maybe I’ll buy some someday... I just don’t know what for ;)

For my coat, I made my own duffle coat fasteners using wooden toggles, SnapPap, and shoelaces.
I do have a lot of buttons in all sorts of styles, but I rarely need them. When I do, though, I always buy new ones because my existing ones don’t fit or I don’t have enough of a certain type.

I’m a button collector—just like my mom and my grandma before me.

Whenever I put something in the clothes donation bag, I take the buttons off first. I’ve always done that.

Buttons are beautiful. I like mother-of-pearl buttons best.

  But the thing is, most of the time you don’t have the right button in your stash, or there aren’t enough. Or they’re too small, the wrong shape, the wrong color—and you end up having to buy new buttons after all.

They’re also a great activity for my grandchild. My buttons are so beautiful, and he sorts them with such dedication. (My photo)

A while back, I bought some silicone molds that I use to make my own buttons. Especially with the prices you pay for buttons in stores these days, I’m happy that I can make as many as I want or need—and in whatever color I like.

With the molds, there’s also a really large one that I always fill with plaster, then paint, and use the button for decoration. They always make beautiful eye-catchers.

For special craft projects, though, I’ll sometimes go to a store and look for just the right button. However, there are fewer and fewer stores where you can even buy buttons anymore. That makes my treasured button collection all the more valuable.

I’m a bit of a button fanatic—they always have to be just right. Sometimes they need to be flat because babies will be lying on them; other times, I go for fun patterned buttons or something sparkly; and then again, I might choose wood or mother-of-pearl. I’ve even bought them in bulk before because they were such a great deal. I also save old buttons.
For the used clothing bin, though, I leave them on—the clothes will be reused.
In any case, I have enough to last the next 100 years. Here’s a small selection in the photo.

Wow, Hanny1, that looks just like my haberdashery! Simply amazing! I love buttons too, especially unusual ones, of course.   
Schnuckelina: I’m interested in the silicone molds for buttons. Could you show them with a picture sometime? And where can you get something like that?

I love buttons, too, and have quite a few in my collection. Right now, though, my favorites are the wooden buttons that say “Handmade with Love”—especially for kids’ clothes.

Otherwise, the buttons just have to match the colors well.

Wow, Hanny1, you have so many buttons. I don’t have nearly that many.

I have a manageable collection of old buttons in a small box. I save them or take them off old clothes.

I really love those old glass buttons with ornate designs—unfortunately, I don’t have any of those left. I mostly use sturdy plastic and metal buttons, and for my crochet figures, I ordered these mini buttons with a 6 mm diameter.
I even still have those old white buttons for duvet covers. I never throw anything away.

Hi Wollbaerli, I’ll take a photo of my silicone molds soon and post it here.
Best regards—Ina

I actually rarely need buttons, but when I do, I take my finished project to the store and pick out some that go well with it. I don’t have any particular preferences—the color and size just have to be right.

I can hardly resist little bags of buttons at the flea market. Even though I really never need as many as I have at home. But I always think that one day I’ll really need them because I’ll be making the most amazing things with them—on a holiday. Or on a Sunday. And then I’ll be glad…
yeah, sure, it’s all just an excuse to take those colorful little bags home… (laughs) “shakes head” 

As promised, I’d like to show you the silicone molds I use to make my buttons.

Best regards, Ina

Is it difficult to make your own buttons?

Hi Josefa,
I don’t find it difficult. It’s the same as with anything: you need good tools (in this case, well-made silicone molds), the right modelling material (e.g., Pardo), and a little practice. But you’ll get the hang of it quickly, and then it’s a lot of fun and also useful.
Best wishes - Ina

OK, that sounds good.

Are these buttons durable, too?

Where can you get those silicone molds for buttons? And what washable materials can you use? Can you paint the modeling clay?