How to Make Fabric Button Earrings

Here, I show you how to make super easy fabric covered button earrings in a jiffy. You'll learn how to upcycle existing fabric buttons, cover your own, and even make your own ring including brooch pin.

Well, I am back with another Bostik glue challenge! What happens is, every other month, I receive some gifted glue to make something I fancy or sometimes around a set theme.

Why I've taken it on is because I want to encourage more unique thinking and creativity. I very much follow building procedures, yet struggle with design. Plus, it's useful to add more DIY strings to my bow! 🙂

For example, this week I learned how to make my own fabric covered buttons. It's the kind of job that looks complicated, but it isn't at all. And I've had these button kits for YEARS and been putting off using them!

MAKING FABRIC BUTTON EARRINGS WITH BOSTIK POWER REPAIR

Recently I showed you how to make wood and resin costume jewellery rings with Bostik's Fix & Flash. And in actual fact, that glue would work with this tutorial too!

But, for this project, let's explore why I chose this project for Bostik's new Power Repair glue. It claims to be:

• Ultra strong
• Fast drying
• Long lasting bond
• Dries clear
• Non drip
• Waterproof
• Won't glue your fingers together
• Works with glass, wood, stone, metal, leather, mirrors, plastics, ceramics & more

All in all, I think it's a perfect candidate for jewellery making in general. The texture feels much like a hot glue gun, except no need to warm it up.

BENEFITS OF PERSONALISED FABRIC COVER EARRINGS

I have a soft spot for matching accessories to outfits. I used to be a branch fashion manager, helping customers to build their matching wardrobe. Or simply look their best for a special occasion.

So, instead of wasting hours looking for what you want, you can save yourself time and money to get the same impact. Or, perhaps you have an old item of clothing that's seen better days, but it means a lot to you.

Below, for example, I used an old pinstripe suit, knowing it would look great and stylish with formal attire. And I LOVE how it's so not off-the-peg, if want to get a little pretentious.

OTHER JEWELLERY IDEAS OTHER THAN FABRIC BUTTON EARRINGS

After raiding my local charity shop's button tub, including my own, I found a few cool things I could make with my ring trays and earring posts with backs.

I found a cool large Julius Caesar button. I loved it so much, I instantly wanted to turn it in to a pin brooch.

And similar to my previous ring post, I had a giant black button which I thought would be funky. Trinny and Susannah, eat your heart out!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED FOR FABRIC BUTTON EARRINGS

*Note, some are affiliate links at no extra cost to you.

• Bostik Power Repair glue
• Self-cover buttons - ONLY THE SILVER ONES!
• Fabric of your choice
• Earring posts & backs
• Scissors
• Tailor chalk
• Junior hacksaw - I prefer a the homelux one sold in Topps Tiles, shown below

OR

Old fabric covered buttons from old clothes. I tend to keep a stash just in case. And, so do many charity shops. I bought the ready made ones below for 10p each. Yes, you could go to your local haberdashery, but there seems to be few and far between these days.

HOW TO MAKE FABRIC BUTTON EARRINGS WITH RECYCLED ONES

Making fabric button earrings with existing ones is obviously the easiest method. If it has a protruding back, then carefully remove with a hacksaw.

I did this extremely carefully and mine had such fine teeth, where I didn't cut myself at all. Then, if you have a mental one, the loop can then be easily puled out.

You must then clean and dry the rear for good glue adhesion. I just used multipurpose spray cleaner for this.

Then carefully open the lid away from yourself over a protected surface. As the tube is full here, I applied no pressure to avoid leaking early.

GLUING ON THE EARRING POSTS

You only need the smallest drop of Bostik Power Repair. Just gently squeeze the tube, position where you want your earring post. (I went for centre). Then held down for 10 seconds before leaving for 2 hours without the need for clamping.

Note, you have up to 3 minutes repositioning time.

And to fully cure, I left for 24 hours before adding my earring backs.

MAKING A BUTTON RING

While we're on the topic of glue, I also wanted to try it using a ring blank and a large black button. I think this is a VERY bold fashion statement. Kind of like a full stop to an outfit.

You can see with flat back buttons, there's also no need to saw anything off. And easily customisable with any colour button.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN FABRIC BUTTONS

These silver button kits are these easiest to use as you don't need to sew around the edges to pull and gather any fabric. Unlike the plastic ones shown earlier

Simply place your uncovered button face down on the wrong side of the fabric. Then draw around the button, leaving a 1cm to 1.5cm excess around it.

Using sharp scissors, cut along your chalk mark and fold around the button, ensuring the fabric catches on the teeth. My tip is to stretch the fabric as you go to avoid any visbible creases of folds around the edge.

PREPARING THE BACK OF THE FABRIC BUTTON EARRING

Now slot and press the button backing until it clicks. But make sure you have no fabric protruding. *If you feel like you have too much excess fabric, occasionally I'd remove some with sharp scissors.

Then repeat the hack saw method as shown earlier and gently pull out the hook.

Despite being new, it's still best to clean as there will be dusty filings that needs to be removed and glue your earring post as shown earlier.

PIN THIS FABRIC BUTTON EARRINGS TUTORIAL FOR LATER...