26 Innovative and Beautiful Button Crafts and Projects

Whether you’re a sewing master or an all-round crafter, you may be one of the many who have a big collection of buttons stashed away.

There’s no way that you’ll be able to use them all up on fixing buttonless shirts, so perhaps it’s time to think outside the box a little.

These cute and clever button projects will give you some fantastic inspiration with regards to putting your collection to good use in non-traditional ways.

Jump to:

• Button Bowl
• Quick Bookmarks
• Simple Wall Art
• Oh Christmas Tree
• Beautified Button Shoes
• Fridge Magnets
• Necklaces
• Bracelets
• Leather Cuff
• Cupcake Art
• Headband
• Flower Bouquet
• Garland
• Fun Frames
• Buttoned-Up Handbag
• Pretty Gift Bags
• Resin Paperweight/Coaster
• Woven Coaster
• Button Tray
• Pillows
• T-Shirt Upgrade
• Bobby Pins
• Embroidery Button Clock
• Gift Wrapping
• Button Tree Art
• Lampshade

Button Bowl

This cute and whimsical button bowl is the perfect way to store your little bits and bobs like jewelry or keys. It uses the same method as the cotton thread balls where you use a balloon to create the shape you want, much like a mold, which is then popped and discarded once everything is set and dried.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - DIYnCrafts

Quick Bookmarks

Everything you make doesn’t always have to be grand or complicated; you can make something as simple as a button bookmark with a paperclip that you know will be put to good use. It’s a quick and easy craft that can really help your school-going kids.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - IHeartNaptime

Simple Wall Art

I just love this fleur-de-lis symbol, although, of course you can go with practically any image or monogram as long as it’s not too detailed or finicky. The best part about this project is that you don’t have to sew the buttons – you can cheat and just glue them on!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Makely

Oh Christmas Tree

If you have a good range of sizes among all your forgotten buttons, then you may be able to make yourself a few of these charming Christmas tree ornaments. If you don’t have enough greens, though, you can either spray paint them or simply embrace the non-traditional colors.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - ModernMinerals

Beautified Button Shoes

Whether you want to vamp up an old pair of shoes, or you found a plain pair on sale for next to nothing, a really cute way to do so is to add buttons. You’ll have to take the longer sewing route with these; when considering all the movement of your feet in your shoes, the buttons may just pop off if you use hot glue to attach them.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - StarsForStreetlights, ILoveToCreate and Scrapbook&CardsToday

Fridge Magnets

Ok, so here’s a really nice and easy craft that is so simple, yet people don’t seem to think about it – button fridge magnets! It really is as easy as it sounds: glue magnets onto the buttons and you’re good to go! It adds a fun and playful element of whimsy to your kitchen.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - BigBoxDetox

Necklaces

There are so many ideas and ways that you can make some really pretty and interesting necklaces, ranging from simple to intricate to chunky, so I’ve found a handful for you to gloss over and get some inspiration for your own creation. Or, you could just make them all!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - YellowBlackbird, Ohoh, TheDrewFamily and LittleMissMomma

Bracelets

As with the necklaces, your button bracelet making possibilities are seemingly endless. There are so many techniques that you can use, so once again, let your own imagination and creativity run wild and see what you can make with the types of buttons that you have.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - OhDearAngie, ResinObsession, HopeStudios and HomesteadRevival

Leather Cuff

I love all things bohemian, so this leather button cuff is right up my alley. If you can get the blank leather cuff with all the hardware on it then you’re already halfway there, otherwise you’ll just have to attach those yourself. This could make a really interesting belt idea, too!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - LilBlueBoo

Cupcake Art

This is just too cute! It’ll perfectly adorn something like a nursery or child’s playroom. After seeing the tutorial, it’s clear that you can paint and button just about any image, but the cupcakes are definitely my favorites!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - BustedButton

Headband

Making a really cute button headband is actually really easy. The toughest part is just deciding on which buttons to use and how to arrange them – you can cover the entire piece of fabric, or you could just make a little accent part on the side.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - TheRibbonRetreat

Flower Bouquet

These felt and button flowers are just adorable, and they’re so much fun to make, too! You could get your little ones involved in the project so that they can proudly display them in their rooms, or even give them to their teachers as gifts.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - AmericanCrafts

Garland

This Christmassy garland is a real cinch to make if you can do a simple chain stitch. I love the holiday themed colors that can turn your home into a real festive place, but of course, you can just pick any colors for absolutely any time of the year.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - BlogALaCart

Fun Frames

Any simple frame can be transformed into something noticeable and pretty with the addition of some buttons. You can keep it simple, or arrange the buttons according to color for a rainbow or ombre theme.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - TheRibbonRetreat and PunkProjects

Buttoned-Up Handbag

If you have the patience and the sanity to cover an entire handbag with buttons, then you truly deserve to have something this gorgeous! Sure, this is a big job, but if you don’t think you’ll see it through, then perhaps you could use the same technique on a smaller clutch.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Craftster:Pixeldust

Pretty Gift Bags

Give a plain gift bag a personalized touch by adding some buttons and yarn as embellishments; it’s a great way to use some of your plainer buttons. You can even do this to blank cards as well!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - NorthPole

Resin Paperweight/Coaster

Resin is freaking fantastic because you can cast pretty much anything in there – buttons included! These make really cute paperweights or coasters, and finding the right mold can be as easy as using a cup or even a jar lid.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - LilBlueBoo

Woven Coaster

If you’re not a big fan of the bulky resin coasters then you can try this woven technique instead. And this isn’t just limited to coasters, you could make some gorgeous placemats for your dining table – it’s not too difficult, but it will take some time if you want a set.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Craftylish

Button Tray

As you may have noticed by now, you can add buttons to pretty much anything and it’ll come out looking lovely! Give a plain and cheap tray a whole new look by lining the bottom with buttons for an interesting look.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - MelStampz

Pillows

The addition of some buttons, fabric, trimming and whatever else you have among your craft supplies can totally transform a regular pillow to something unique and adorable. Just make sure to map out your arrangement before you start sewing.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - FiskarsCraft and AllYou

T-Shirt Upgrade

We’re used to buttons on clothing, but they usually serve a function of closing something up. This tutorial shows you how you can add buttons to a regular t-shirt for the sole purpose of decorating or embellishing; doesn’t it look great?

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - iCandyHandmade

Bobby Pins

A couple of bobby pins, a touch of glue, and some  interesting or vintage buttons are all you need to make some very simple yet striking hair clips. I just love simple projects like these!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - ChristinaHomemaker

Embroidery Button Clock

If the hours seem to fly by when you find yourself heading into your craft room, then perhaps it’s time you make yourself a clock to go in there, and what could be more fitting than an embroidery hoop and button clock? If this isn’t quite to your taste, though, have a look at our other DIY clocks.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - OccasionallyCrafty

Gift Wrapping

When it comes to my really close friends and family, I prefer implementing some interesting and unique gift wrapping techniques as opposed to just using regular wrapping paper. This simple little button detail is so cute and it just gives it that little special touch.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - CraftAndCreativity

Button Tree Art

This is such a cute idea – instead of painting leaves on a tree, you can just glue on some buttons! This is also fun to do with the kids, since you can paint the trunk and branches, and then let the little ones choose where they want to place their buttons.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - CraftsByAmanda

Lampshade

This site doesn’t contain a step-by-step tutorial, but I think it’s quite easy to figure out. You can either buy a lampshade frame or just remove the fabric from an existing one, and then thread your buttons through some thin wire. I wonder how it would look with the light on!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit - LuckyKnitter