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Hey Button Guy! I like your blog even though I’ve never made a single button/pin(apparently) – but I want to.

I am an incredible knit designer and I specialize in Canine(K9) doggie sweaters. I am a master certified Groomer/Handler and dog trainer… Well, moving on, I am developing a line of NCAA/NFL geared sweaters for dogs.

I would love to be able to make team themed shank sized buttons (fabric) or myler if the backing can be safely sported by a pup. Any recommendations on where to start?

Thanks for reading and enjoying my blog!

The safest option for doggies is (drum roll …..) Bull Dog Clip Buttons! 🙂

Rather than a pointy pin, these clip on with an alligator-like mouth. No sharp points. That being said, they do run the risk of getting knocked off the sweater, unless strategically placed … so…..

You might want to sew the button directly onto the sweater using a Center Hole Button with Welded Up Eyes. I think that’s your very best option.

If you need supplies, the fabulous folks at People Power Press  can get you set up 🙂

MAKING YOUR OWN CUSTOM BUTTONS FOR JACKETS, ACCESSORIES AND FURNITURE

It is certainly confusing when writing about buttons.  At People Power Press we call pin-back buttons “buttons” and we think of them as buttons but more commonly the word “buttons” refer to what do up your shirt.  This is the kind of button that I am about to write about (and yes, you can make them using pin-back button supplies and a button maker).

Using pin-back button supplies and a button maker you can make your own buttons for clothing, accessories and furniture.

What You Will Need:
– Shell
– Paper artwork and Mylar OR Fabric (no mylar necessary)
– Center Hole (the back)
– Welded Up Eye (goes through the centre hole)
– Button Maker
*Note: Welded up eyes have a strange name but are a great little attachment for button making and a simple way to add a loop to a button for an assortment of crafting.

1. Place shell and artwork in pick up die of button maker.
2. a) Place centre hole face down in the crimp die of button maker. b) Place welded up face down into center hole.
3.  Press.

Once pressed sew thread through the metal loop of the welded up eye onto your desired surface.  This is a great way to customize your jacket, pillows or couch, and other accessories.

Ahhh, once again we’ll chat a bit about designing your own buttons.
A great website for helping you choose colors that compliment each
other is a great site called the Color Hunter you can upload any photograph you like (whether you took it yourself, or if you saw it on instagram and just loved that hipster filter on it), and it will pick out the colours in the photo and come up with your very own custom palette.

This will help give your button a professional well thought out design.

BG

Even if you have zero design skills, you can still make some pretty
cool buttons using items from your house.
A cool idea for a craft night with you and your friends is to gather
clippings from magazines, old books, dictionaries, encyclopedias, old
National Geographics, maps, or even your grandfather’s stamp
collection.
Make sure the paper quality isn’t too heavy like card stock.

Have fun with it!

BG

Cutters

Hi button guy! I recently start using my cutter (Dynamo Hand-Held Graphic Punch Cutter) but only after only 5 button pins the cutter doesn’t work properly and the paper doesn’t pop up as it should no mater the pressure used. Please take into consideration I haven’t made any for a couple of months however I still can’t believe it doesn’t work at all. Is that normal? What can I do now? I tried using some aluminium foil to sharpen it without good results. Any advice?

The problem is the Dynamo Hand-Held Graphic Punch Cutter.  I see these on the American Button Makers site but they are NOT American.  They are made in China/ Maybe Korea and are just not the quality of the actual American made products.

You cannot sharpen this kind of cutter.  I can only suggest getting a good cutter.  Good cutting makes good buttons but you need a real graphic punch “Made in USA” and you will have no problems.  Get good tools and you will never look back.

Like most “cheap” products this one is destined for the landfill I expect.

For an idea on pricing for quality cutters, check out People Power Press’s website They have various sizes of punches, and rotary cutters, that will make your life so much easier.