7 Cute and Creative Uses for Old Buttons
Are you one of those people who has drawers full of buttons? If you are a crafter, collector, or just happen to have a jar full of old buttons, you might be wondering what on earth to do with them. Sure they look cute and kitschy hanging out in a jar, but the truth is there are so many fun projects you can do with them instead. Buttons are the perfect crafting medium for creating all sorts of fun projects that are not only fun for adults but for kids too. Don’t let that jar of old buttons sit around and collect dust any longer. Instead, take a look below at 7 cute and creative uses for old buttons. You just might be surprised at how versatile these colorful little gems are.
7 Cute and Creative Uses for Old Buttons:
First, gather your old buttons up and get ready to get busy! If you do not have any but wish to give these projects a try, you can always find these at your local thrift stores and garage sales. Craft supply stores such as Hobby Lobby also sell buttons for crafting. If you purchase some there, be sure to print off your 40% off coupon before you go.
Button up a picture frame
Buy a picture frame at your local dollar store. Apply hot glue to the frame and glue one button on at a time. You can then apply a second layer if you wish for more interest. Create a pattern or go for something random!
Make button blooms
You can string buttons on to a piece of florist wire. String the buttons down to the end of the wire and then twist the wire to secure them into place. Make several stems and you can then gather and arrange them into a small vase. So cute!
Create a button barrette
Buy some large, metal clasp barrettes at your local dollar store. You can then apply a thin strip of hot glue to the surface and glue on one button at a time. Stack the buttons if you wish for extra dimension and interest. Kids will love making these AND wearing them.
Try your hand at button and canvas art
You can take an inexpensive piece of canvas and hot glue buttons onto it to create a child’s name, a picture, or anything you wish! Just take your canvas and apply one dot of glue and button at a time until the image you wish is in place.
Make a “button up” practice center
Is your child still learning how to button up their clothing? Take a piece of scrap fabric and stitch some large buttons to it. Take another piece of fabric and cut slits into it. Kids can practice matching the slits up to the buttons and buttoning the two pieces together. This is a great way to develop this fine motor skill in kids!
Craft your own button ring
Find a cheap costume jewelry band and using hot glue, layer a variety of buttons on it. The end result will be a fun and frugal button ring that is sure to get noticed.
Add some pop to a headband
You can fancy up a dollar store headband when you use hot glue to adhere a variety of buttons to it. Spread the buttons along the whole band or group them all off to the side. Use a variety if colors or mix shades of one color to match an outfit.
Old buttons are so great for crafting, but you can use them a few other ways too. Kids will enjoy learning classification when they practice sorting by size or color. You can also use them as Bingo markers or game piece markers when your pieces are missing. Buttons look great displayed in jars by color, or even glued on to your summer flower pots. As you can see, you choices of what to do with them are endless!
So gather your old buttons and give some of these uses a try. You are sure to find plenty of ways to make them practical and purposeful to you.
Do you have a craft for buttons? Share it with us below. We would love to try it out!
Buttons I have and you have given me some ideas to use them!!! Thank you!
These uses for old buttons are very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Awesome idea, so creative.
These are some fun, creative ideas!
THIS IS VERY CREATIVE AND CUTE
Thanks for the idea’s…. I actually collect antique buttons…. would love to use some in crafts.
I’ve used small & medium buttons to make flowers on a strip of fabric then used it as a bookmark.
Cute! I love what you did with all the buttons! Fun ideas!
As an educator, I use buttons for lots of learning activities. They make great eyes on faces too.
If you are lucky enough to have a button collection that includes some of the larger buttons, you can use a foam wreath form and make seasonal wreaths with color themed buttons. The wreathe turn out very pretty if you ribbon wrap the wreath first, then you can either glue or pin your buttons to the wreath.
Too cute & very creative! I cannot wait to do this!
My daughter had a button collection for years, I don’t know if she still has it but these are some great ideas for her.
I have so many buttons, i use them to make necklaces, bracelets, even made a pair of earings, Buttons have so many good uses the kids know not to throw them away
Great ideas especially the canvas print that would be fun!
Great ideas! Buttons are so easily available in some cute and/or gorgeous designs.
Buttons on crafts have always been a favorite of mine! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
These are great ideas…I also like to display buttons in a pretty vase
I love buttons. I think I’ll try my hand at making a button frame.
I like the frame idea
I lobe using buttons in crafts. Thank tou for posting these neat ideas!
love the pic frame idea
These are all great craft ideas using old buttons. While I was online today I saw a cute clutch that was covered in buttons, now that’s a craft I’d like to try. Thank you for this craft post.
I like the idea of the button barrette. That must be pretty adorable!
I have a bit of an obsession with buttons! I love added them to cards and crafts
I like the frame idea a lot!!!!
I wondered why my Grandma kept so many buttons, shoe boxes and cookie tins full of buttons!
i love the button barrett what great idea there are just so many cute crafts with buttons! great ideas thank ou
i use to collect buttons!
I love these ideas! We have so many extra buttons and the kids would have fun creating button art. Thanks!
Thank you for posting this! I am one of those people that has a container of buttons. lol
My grandmother made her living at home as a seamstress, and when she died, she left me her buttons. It is a huge tin full of every button imaginable. I have often pondered what I could do with some of these buttons. Thanks for all these great ideas! It seems better to put them to use rather than left in a tin for my granddaughter to contend with someday.
love the idea of a button headband
I like your suggestions for button crafts. I have several jars of buttons & old picture frames that I could try my hand at. Thank you for the suggestion of using buttons as game piece markers. I’ve never thought of that.
I LOVE this so much! I have a bunch of old buttons that belongs to my Grandma and I don’t want to throw them away for sentimental value, but I also don’t want to just keep a tub of them for nothing. THANK YOU!