Whether you’re a seasoned sewist, a passionate crafter, or simply someone with a fondness for unique embellishments, chances are you have a collection of buttons tucked away. These tiny treasures, often accumulated from old clothes, sewing kits, or thrift store finds, typically outnumber the occasions you might need them for a practical repair. Instead of letting them gather dust, it’s time to unleash your creativity and transform these overlooked pieces into something extraordinary. Welcome to the vibrant world of DIY button projects and button crafts, where every button finds a new purpose, adding charm, character, and a touch of whimsy to your home and accessories.
Repurposing buttons is not only an incredibly rewarding crafting experience but also an eco-friendly way to breathe new life into forgotten items. From elegant home decor to personalized fashion statements and thoughtful gifts, the possibilities are as diverse as your button collection itself. This guide will provide you with a wealth of inspiration, showcasing innovative ways to turn your stash into stunning creations. Get ready to explore a spectrum of creative button uses that are simple, fun, and perfect for crafters of all skill levels. Dive into these clever ideas and start crafting something truly unique today!
These engaging and imaginative button projects will provide fantastic inspiration, guiding you in putting your collection to good use in non-traditional and wonderfully creative ways.
Button Bowl
Imagine a charming, whimsical bowl perfect for holding your tiny treasures – jewelry, keys, or other small trinkets. This beautiful button bowl is created using a fascinating technique similar to crafting decorative cotton thread balls. By utilizing a balloon as a temporary mold, you can achieve the perfect shape. Once your carefully arranged buttons and adhesive have dried and set, the balloon is simply popped and discarded, leaving behind a rigid, artistic bowl. It’s an ingenious way to showcase your button collection while adding a functional piece of button home decor to your dresser, entryway, or craft space. Choose buttons of varying sizes and colors for an eclectic look, or stick to a monochromatic theme for understated elegance. This DIY project truly elevates the humble button into a statement piece.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – DIYnCrafts
Quick Bookmarks
Not every craft needs to be an elaborate undertaking. Sometimes, the simplest ideas yield the most delightful results. These quick button bookmarks are a testament to that. By attaching a decorative button to a paperclip, you can create a functional and adorable bookmark that adds a personal touch to any book. This super easy button craft idea is perfect for beginners and a fantastic project to do with school-going children, encouraging their love for reading and crafting simultaneously. They make wonderful small gifts for teachers, friends, or fellow bookworms, proving that even a small collection of buttons can be put to good, practical use. Plus, it’s a great way to use up those single, unique buttons you’ve been saving.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – IHeartNaptime
Simple Wall Art
Elevate your home decor with personalized button art that adds texture and visual interest to any wall. While the elegant fleur-de-lis symbol showcased here is beautiful, the beauty of this project lies in its versatility. You can choose virtually any image, silhouette, or monogram, as long as it’s not overly intricate. This makes it an ideal project for creating custom pieces that reflect your style or personality. The best part? You don’t need to be a sewing expert! Simply glue the buttons onto a canvas or sturdy backing to form your chosen design. Mix and match button sizes, colors, and textures to create depth and dimension, resulting in a truly unique piece of art that’s sure to draw compliments. It’s an excellent way to use a large assortment of buttons and transform them into a cohesive masterpiece.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Makely
Oh Christmas Tree
Infuse your holiday decor with handmade charm by crafting these delightful Christmas tree ornaments from buttons. If your button collection boasts a good range of sizes, you have the perfect foundation for these whimsical decorations. Stack them from largest to smallest to form a classic tree shape, or get creative with your arrangements. While traditional green buttons create a festive look, don’t hesitate to embrace non-traditional colors or even spray paint buttons to match your desired aesthetic. These button Christmas crafts are fantastic for personalizing your tree, adorning gifts, or even selling at craft fairs. They are simple to assemble and bring a touch of nostalgic warmth to the holiday season, making them a cherished addition to any festive display.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – ModernMinerals
Beautified Button Shoes
Give an old, worn-out pair of shoes a fabulous makeover, or transform a plain, inexpensive find into a stylish statement with the addition of buttons. This creative button embellishment project allows you to express your personal style directly on your footwear. However, for a lasting and durable finish, especially given the constant movement of your feet, it’s highly recommended to take the traditional sewing route rather than relying on hot glue. Securely stitching each button ensures they stay firmly in place, even through regular wear. Imagine a cascade of colorful buttons on plain canvas sneakers, or a sophisticated pattern on a pair of ballet flats. This project is a fantastic way to customize your wardrobe and make a unique fashion statement with your repurposed buttons.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – StarsForStreetlights, ILoveToCreate and Scrapbook&CardsToday
Fridge Magnets
For a surprisingly simple yet wonderfully effective craft, look no further than button fridge magnets. This project exemplifies how effortlessly you can turn ordinary items into charming, functional decor. The process is as straightforward as it sounds: simply glue small magnets onto the back of your favorite buttons, and voilà – you have a collection of unique magnets ready to adorn your refrigerator. This easy DIY button project is perfect for using up mismatched or particularly eye-catching buttons. They add a fun, playful, and personalized element of whimsy to your kitchen, making everyday notes and photos stand out. It’s also an excellent craft for kids, allowing them to personalize their own magnetic artwork.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – BigBoxDetox
Necklaces
Transform your button collection into stunning wearable art with these inspiring button necklace ideas. From delicate arrangements to bold, chunky statement pieces, the creative possibilities for crafting button jewelry are virtually limitless. You can string individual buttons, layer them, create intricate bib necklaces, or combine them with other beads and materials for a truly unique look. Experiment with vintage buttons for a retro vibe, or use a mix of modern, colorful ones for a contemporary feel. This section offers a handful of diverse designs to spark your imagination. Whether you’re aiming for a subtle accent or a standout accessory, buttons can be the perfect medium. Why choose just one design when you could make them all and expand your jewelry collection?
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – YellowBlackbird, Ohoh, TheDrewFamily and LittleMissMomma
Bracelets
Just like with necklaces, the potential for creating stunning button bracelets is boundless. Your imagination is the only limit when it comes to designing these charming wrist accessories. Explore various techniques, from stringing buttons onto elastic cords, weaving them into fabric, or attaching them to cuff bases. Consider mixing different sizes, shapes, and colors to create a bracelet that truly reflects your unique style. Vintage buttons can add a touch of timeless elegance, while brightly colored ones can bring a playful pop to any outfit. Let your creativity run wild as you experiment with the types of buttons you have on hand. These handmade bracelets also make thoughtful, personalized gifts for friends and family, showcasing your crafting prowess and care.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – OhDearAngie, ResinObsession, HopeStudios and HomesteadRevival
Leather Cuff
Embrace your inner bohemian spirit with a stylish leather button cuff. This project perfectly marries rustic charm with a touch of personalized flair. If you can find a blank leather cuff with pre-attached hardware, you’re already halfway to creating this chic accessory. Otherwise, attaching the necessary closures and embellishments yourself offers another layer of customization. The texture of the leather beautifully complements the varied finishes of buttons, creating a unique piece that can instantly elevate any outfit. Consider this idea not just for cuffs but also for creating distinctive belt embellishments. It’s an ideal project for those who appreciate handmade accessories with a bold and earthy aesthetic, making it one of the more sophisticated button accessories you can craft.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – LilBlueBoo
Cupcake Art
This button cupcake art is simply adorable and brings a delightful, whimsical touch to any space, particularly a nursery, child’s playroom, or even a cozy kitchen nook. After exploring the tutorial, you’ll discover the immense flexibility of this technique: you can paint and button virtually any image you desire. However, the cheerful cupcakes certainly hold a special place as favorites due to their inherent cuteness and vibrant potential. This project is a fantastic opportunity to use a medley of colorful buttons to represent sprinkles, cherries, or decorative icing on your painted design. It’s a fun, engaging, and relatively simple way to create charming button decorations that add personality and warmth to your home.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – BustedButton
Headband
Creating a truly charming button headband is a surprisingly straightforward process that yields a stylish and personalized accessory. The most challenging aspect often lies in selecting which buttons to use from your collection and deciding on their arrangement. You can opt to completely cover a fabric headband for a bold, textured look, or choose to create a delicate accent cluster on one side. Mixing button sizes, shapes, and colors can result in a unique design that complements your personal style. This project is excellent for using up a diverse range of buttons and transforming them into a fashionable button accessory that adds a touch of handmade elegance to any hairstyle. It’s a quick and fun way to accessorize with your favorite repurposed treasures.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – TheRibbonRetreat
Flower Bouquet
These felt and button flowers are utterly adorable and a sheer joy to create, making them a fantastic button craft for kids and adults alike. The combination of soft felt petals with a button center results in charming blooms that require no watering and last indefinitely. This project is perfect for getting your little ones involved; they can proudly arrange and display their handmade bouquets in their rooms, bringing a touch of everlasting spring indoors. They also make thoughtful, personalized gifts for teachers, grandparents, or friends, showing an extra layer of care and creativity. Experiment with different felt colors and button styles to create a vibrant and diverse bouquet that never fades.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – AmericanCrafts
Garland
This festive garland is a breeze to make if you’re familiar with a simple chain stitch, making it an accessible and rewarding project for many crafters. While the holiday-themed colors instantly transform your home into a festive wonderland, remember that you can easily adapt this idea to any color palette for any time of the year. Imagine a garland of pastel buttons for a spring baby shower, or bright, primary colors for a child’s birthday party. This versatility makes it a fantastic button decoration for various occasions, or simply to add a continuous stream of playful charm to a room. It’s an excellent way to showcase a large collection of colorful buttons in a cohesive and decorative manner.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – BlogALaCart
Fun Frames
Infuse personality and charm into any plain picture frame by transforming it with the addition of buttons. This simple yet impactful DIY button project allows you to turn a basic frame into a noticeable and pretty display piece. You can keep the design straightforward by randomly adhering buttons of various sizes and colors, or you can elevate it by arranging the buttons according to color for a stunning rainbow or elegant ombre theme. This offers a fantastic opportunity to customize frames to match specific rooms, photograph subjects, or personal preferences. It’s an easy way to upcycle an old frame and give it a fresh, unique look, making your cherished memories stand out even more.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – TheRibbonRetreat and PunkProjects
Buttoned-Up Handbag
For those with abundant patience and a dedication to detail, covering an entire handbag with buttons can result in an absolutely gorgeous and truly unique accessory. While this is certainly a significant undertaking, the end result is a stunning, textured piece that reflects incredible craftsmanship. If committing to a full handbag seems daunting, consider applying the same technique to a smaller clutch, a cosmetic bag, or even just a flap on a larger bag. This meticulous upcycled button project transforms a simple accessory into a wearable work of art, showcasing the beauty and versatility of your button collection. It’s a statement piece that speaks volumes about your creative spirit.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Craftster:Pixeldust
Pretty Gift Bags
Elevate your gift-giving with a personalized touch by embellishing plain gift bags with buttons and yarn. This simple yet effective technique is a wonderful way to use up some of your more understated or “plain” buttons, giving them a moment to shine. By adding a few well-placed buttons, perhaps in combination with a decorative yarn bow or a stitched pattern, you can transform an ordinary bag into something truly special and memorable. This method also works beautifully for blank greeting cards, adding a handmade, tactile element that shows an extra level of care. It’s a quick, easy, and charming way to make any present feel even more thoughtfully wrapped, highlighting the magic of creative button uses.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – NorthPole
Resin Paperweight/Coaster
Resin crafting is an incredibly versatile medium that allows you to beautifully encapsulate virtually anything, and buttons are no exception! These transparent resin pieces, embedded with a colorful array of buttons, make for exceptionally cute and functional paperweights or coasters. The process involves arranging your chosen buttons within a mold and pouring resin over them, creating a durable and visually striking item. Finding the right mold can be as easy as repurposing a clean cup or a jar lid, or purchasing specialized silicone molds. This project is a fantastic way to preserve and display a cherished collection of vintage or sentimental buttons, transforming them into practical and decorative objects that add a touch of handcrafted elegance to any desk or coffee table. It’s a truly unique form of button art that captures timeless beauty.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – LilBlueBoo
Woven Coaster
If the solid, bulky aesthetic of resin coasters isn’t quite to your taste, then this ingenious woven button technique offers a charming and texturally rich alternative. This method involves carefully weaving thread or string through buttons, creating a flexible yet sturdy fabric-like coaster. The applications aren’t limited to just coasters; you could expand this technique to create gorgeous placemats for your dining table, adding a unique, handmade touch to your mealtime decor. While not overly difficult, crafting a full set will require some dedication and time, but the beautiful, intricate results are well worth the effort. It’s a fantastic way to showcase a large collection of buttons, transforming them into functional and artistic textile pieces for your home, embodying truly unique button crafts.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Craftylish
Button Tray
As you’ve likely gathered by now, the versatility of buttons knows no bounds – you can embellish almost anything, and the result is almost always lovely! Give a simple, inexpensive tray a remarkable new lease on life by lining its bottom with an assortment of buttons. This creates an instantly interesting and visually engaging surface, transforming a utilitarian item into a decorative statement piece. Whether you choose to arrange buttons in a mosaic pattern, by color gradient, or simply scatter them for a chaotic yet charming effect, this button home decor project adds texture and a personalized touch. It’s a wonderfully easy way to upcycle old trays and bring a splash of unique character to any room, serving both form and function with flair.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – MelStampz
Pillows
Transform ordinary pillows into extraordinary decorative accents with the thoughtful addition of buttons, fabric scraps, trimming, and whatever other craft supplies you have on hand. This project offers an incredible opportunity to infuse your living spaces with unique, adorable, and personalized flair. Before you begin sewing or gluing, take the time to map out your arrangement. Experiment with patterns, clusters, or even button monograms to achieve the desired effect. The tactile quality of buttons adds a wonderful dimension to soft furnishings, making these button decorations both visually appealing and interesting to touch. It’s an effective way to update existing pillows or create custom pieces that perfectly complement your home’s aesthetic, all while repurposing those beloved buttons.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – FiskarsCraft and AllYou
T-Shirt Upgrade
While buttons typically serve a functional role on clothing, this inventive tutorial shows you how to integrate them purely for decorative and embellishing purposes on a regular t-shirt. This creative approach allows you to inject personal style and playful charm into your everyday wardrobe. Imagine a “button explosion” design, a simple button border, or a whimsical shape formed from an array of colorful buttons. The transformation is striking and makes any plain tee feel instantly custom and fashionable. This DIY button clothing project is a fantastic way to revitalize old garments, personalize new ones, and showcase your unique aesthetic. It’s a fun, accessible fashion upgrade that utilizes your button stash in a truly creative way, making you wonder why you haven’t tried it sooner.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – iCandyHandmade
Bobby Pins
For a quick, easy, and incredibly charming accessory, gather a few bobby pins, a touch of strong adhesive, and some interesting or vintage buttons. That’s all you need to craft a collection of unique and striking hair clips. This project embodies the beauty of simplicity, demonstrating how minimal effort can yield maximum impact. Choose buttons with intricate designs, vibrant colors, or a lovely vintage patina to make each bobby pin a tiny statement piece. These button hair accessories are perfect for adding a subtle touch of elegance or a playful pop of color to your hairstyle. They also make fantastic last-minute gifts or party favors, proving that even the smallest button can become a beautiful embellishment.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – ChristinaHomemaker
Embroidery Button Clock
If time seems to slip away whenever you immerse yourself in your craft room, perhaps it’s a sign to create a fitting timepiece for that very space. What could be more appropriate and charming than an embroidery hoop and button clock? This ingenious DIY clock project combines the rustic appeal of an embroidery hoop with the playful versatility of buttons, which serve as the hour markers. You can use an array of different buttons for each hour, or follow a color scheme for a more cohesive look. This unique wall accent not only tells time but also serves as a beautiful ode to crafting. If this particular style isn’t quite your cup of tea, feel free to explore our other inspiring DIY clocks for alternative ideas that might better suit your taste.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – OccasionallyCrafty
Gift Wrapping
When it comes to wrapping gifts for truly special friends and family, moving beyond standard wrapping paper to implement unique and interesting techniques adds an extra layer of thoughtfulness. This simple yet elegant button detail is incredibly cute and elevates any present with a personalized touch. By affixing a few well-chosen buttons, perhaps tied with a simple string or ribbon, you can transform a plain package into a beautifully presented gift. This method allows you to tailor the wrapping to the recipient’s style or the occasion, making the unboxing experience even more delightful. It’s an easy and impactful way to use your buttons to create memorable button decorations for gifts that truly stand out.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – CraftAndCreativity
Button Tree Art
This button tree art is such an enchanting concept, offering a delightful alternative to traditional painted leaves. Instead of meticulously painting each leaf, you simply glue on an array of colorful buttons, creating a vibrant, textured canopy. This project is particularly enjoyable and rewarding to do with children. You can take on the task of painting the tree trunk and branches, and then empower the little ones to choose and place their buttons, fostering their creativity and fine motor skills. The resulting piece is a unique form of button art that adds a playful and organic touch to any room. It’s a wonderful way to commemorate family crafting time and create a keepsake that beautifully utilizes your button collection.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – CraftsByAmanda
Lampshade
While a step-by-step tutorial might not be readily available for this particular button lampshade, the concept is quite intuitive and easily achievable. You can either acquire a basic lampshade frame or carefully remove the fabric from an existing one to create your base. Then, the magic happens as you thread your buttons onto thin wire, which can then be wrapped around or attached to the frame. Imagine the stunning effect of light filtering through the various shapes, sizes, and colors of your button collection. This project transforms a functional item into a captivating piece of button home decor, creating unique patterns of light and shadow in your room. It’s an innovative way to repurpose buttons and craft a truly bespoke lighting fixture that adds an artistic focal point to any space.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – LuckyKnitter