What to do with old/vintage buttons ?

Question

my mom gave me some old buttons. I think they are very nice and wanted to use them for cool crafts but I just went blank. I need an advice on an interesting crafty project. Anyone?

Miriam Illions · Answer

Here's something cute by @Carolyn ~ homework. It's a little early for holiday decorating, but you might want to save them: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/craft/ornaments/vintage-button-snowflake-851156

Kimberly Barney · Answer

The sparkly buttons can be attached to hair clips. The larger buttons can be sewn to pillows as embellishments. The smaller buttons can be arranged as flowers on a mixed-media art piece. Buttons are also nice displays in jars.

Xena Nierobisz · Answer

Miriam, it is never too early cor Christmas decorations :) I love your idea. I will keep some of the buttons and add some of my other ones I have at home. 
Kimberly, I was actually going to make a pillow today so I can pick some buttons for this project. Didn't even think about it. Thank you so much :) And I love buttons in jars too.

Mary Insana · Answer

A nice thing to do is to get an article of your moms clothing that she doesn't wear anymore preferably something with sentimental value and make a pillow and sew the buttons on one side in a pattern, her monogram or just randomly. It makes a pretty conversation piece and the memories will last forever. You can also make one for any siblings or children you have for Christmas gifts. I've done something similar for friends when their Mom/Dad passed away and they treasure it.

Sheriva S · Answer

Here are some suggestions~decorate a pillow in one corner start with sewing the smaller buttons graduating to the larger ones as if they all are/have gathered to the corner. Or line them up in straight lines in the middle or bottom of pillow. Or buy a canvas, cut off the shank of the buttons and glue them on in any pattern/group you choose. I have removed the shank of the button, glued it on a blank lapel or hat pin.

Xena Nierobisz · Answer

Thank you all for cool ideas. Sheriva do you have pics of any of these projects?

Dee Mock · Answer

You can easily make some adorable jewelry with them. Just add some jump rings and you can attach to bracelet or necklace chains. Also easy to add an eye pin and make earrings!

Xena Nierobisz · Answer

Thank you. oh so many cool ideas... thank you all :)

Sherrie · Answer

I like media art. With your buttons laid out I saw a tree and its branches. But I love texture!

Xena Nierobisz · Answer

I do too Sherrie. Thank you for your idea :)

MaryKay@Studio23Thirty · Answer

I like to make magnets out of vintage buttons.

Xena Nierobisz · Answer

cool. I love magnets. Where can I find the magnet part? Michaels maybe...?

Linda Stone · Answer

I have a friend who makes rings from old buttons. She orders the rings online and uses a strong glue, something like E6000, to attach to ring. You would cut off the shank and glue button on. Also, if you make handmade cards, or no someone who does, they are a good embellishment for cards and scrapbooking.

Valerie · Answer

I love old buttons and use them regularly in crafting projects.  Here are some examples:

Joan Bohonsky · Answer

Some could be made into rings

Starla Swanson · Answer

I have earrings made from antique buttons. I've also seen them used to hang jewelry...recycle an old frame, taking out the glass and replacing it with a soft padded fabric backed with cardboard. Attach the buttons in place of hooks for necklaces. And I've also seen frames completely covered in buttons. It was actually rather cute!

Sfg178760 · Answer

Ha, I was not going to comment on this because I knew you would get lots of ideas...the options are limitless..I love using buttons in all my pieces, whether it is a photography collage or jewelry! I love the antique button the most! I like them so much, I have thought about just gluing them down on a board and framing it for my wall! Good luck with your button project!

Eileen Smith · Answer

You can make fabric peonies and use them for the centers. Then glue those to pin backs or hair pins for your hair. Here is a couple of sites for you to check out. http://ourdailychocolate.blogspot.com/2010/08/fabric-peony.html or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzfMF0-x2BI&feature=share

Xena Nierobisz · Answer

Wow thank you everyone so much. I know there are so many ideas out there but I just wanted to find something that 'speaks to me' . :)

June · Answer

Staria: I especially liked your idea for using the buttons as a hook for necklaces. Very clever.

Su · Answer

Have you thought about gluing them onto a pair of flip flops to make them stand out from the crowd...I played yesterday with an old pair and blinged them up, they look different to say the least...

Xena Nierobisz · Answer

Well I think I already have some ideas. Thank you all. I will post pics soon :)

Nancy Gramm · Answer

I'm a button fanatic but also a bit of a purist. I refuse to glue them, will only sew them down. I used vintage MOP buttons for this lampshade, which was quite time-consuming, but I love the end product.

Judi · Answer

A friend of mine made a Christmas tree in a picture frame with old jewelry. Don't know why you couldn't do the same with old buttons! Really pretty....

Xena Nierobisz · Answer

Nancy what a cool idea with the lampshade. It looks like lots of work. really nice

Judy · Answer

I don't like to alter the buttons, so I sew them, like Nancy. I have made pillows out of old hankies with antique buttons. I also have just taken a piece of fabric, or a bit of a destroyed quilt, framed it, and set the buttons on as embellishment. I also love old neckties, and have sewn buttons on and hung on the wall. Great conversation pieces, and cheap wall art!

Jane · Answer

Type 'buttons' into your search browser---You will have quite an array of options.

Peggy Hazelwood · Answer

I wrote an article on Squidoo called Button Crafts if you want to take a look. I added some photos and lots of links to other projects. I love old buttons!

Lee McKenzie · Answer

I use buttons for clasps on necklaces and bracelets. They can be added to crochet or metal pieces and really add nicely to the jewelry.

Gwen · Answer

do you have kids? Mine liked using a large needle I'd double thread with a big knot, put the buttons in a container and they'd sort through and string the buttons. Was especially good on days they did not feel so great. My daughter started doing this at about four and loved it so much she continued on every so often til she was junior high and a time or two in high school. When she got married, her theme was vintage, using Grandmas buttons and pearls on silver trays with three vintage bud vases of flowers. A vignette in the foyer had an acopothery jar of her last string she'd done and she had her favorite buttons that were incorporated into her bouquet. I got the idea because my mom let me 'sew buttons' when I wasn't well and I still have a few of my favorites I found when scattering buttons and pearls for the wedding!!

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