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How to Make a Woven Button Coaster

Linda Permann, contributor

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Here's a close-up of the coaster. It is so pretty to look at.

Linda Permann

To begin, gather your supplies. I laid out my buttons in a square to determine how many I'd need to make my coaster.

Linda Permann

To knot off the beginning of the floss, insert the needle in any button hole and pull the floss almost all the way through. Draw the needle through the end of the thread (below the knot), then reinsert the needle through the same button hole.

Linda Permann

Here's a close-up of the coaster. It is so pretty to look at.

Photo: Linda Permann

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When I was in Austin earlier this month, I spied this button bag at Tesoros. I have seen it before and had always been curious about how much patience it must take to sew all of those buttons together. And so, when Michaela told me it was button month, I knew it was time to put myself to the test. I thought I'd start small, with a coaster—and I'm glad I did! The purchase price of that bag can't begin to cover the labor that must have gone into making it. This is not a hard project—you're essentially using one stitch over and over to connect the buttons—but it is not for the impatient crafter (which, many times, is me!). Although part of me was wondering when I'd be done sewing these tiny buttons together and whether I was nuts for attempting this with such tiny buttons, the other part of me really enjoyed the meditative quality of this project and the prettiness of the finished coaster. It's colorful yet simple, and since there are so many connected threads, it's also incredibly fun to flex the shape of the coaster. If you plan to make a whole set, or something bigger than a coaster, though, be sure to take plenty of breaks.

To begin, gather your supplies. I laid out my buttons in a square to determine how many I'd need to make my coaster. I settled on nine rows of nine buttons.

Materials:

• 81 four-hole buttons (I used 3/8-inch buttons; if you use something larger, you can probably get away with fewer buttons)
• Small amount of embroidery floss in three colors
• Needle (be sure it fits easily through the button holes)
• Scissors
• Patience

Start by cutting a 32-inch piece of embroidery floss. Pull a single strand loose and thread the needle with it, knotting the ends.

To knot off the beginning of the floss, insert the needle in any button hole and pull the floss almost all the way through. Draw the needle through the end of the thread (below the knot), then reinsert the needle through the same button hole.

Position the first (threaded) button so that the threaded hole is on the top right of the button. Thread the needle through any hole of the next button (but then position it so that the holes line up as shown). Go back through the first button's hole and reinsert the  needle through the same hole in the second button to secure it. It should be taut but with a bit of wiggle room.

Next, thread the needle up through the second right hole of the second button and into any hole of the third button.

Continue threading through the buttons in this manner (going through each set of buttonholes twice) until your button chain is nine buttons long. Thread through the top two holes of the last button to turn around, then go back through all nine buttons in the same manner. Knot the thread (scroll down for a how-to). Make eight more nine-button chains.

Line up the button chains. With a contrasting color thread and starting at the bottom right corner of the chains, sew up the first row of button holes in the same way you formed the original chains. When you reach the top, turn and continue down the second row of holes (still on the first row of buttons) as you did with the chains. Knot off the thread and start on the next (left) row of buttons.

Change colors as desired when you begin each successive row of buttons. (My color sequence was: 2 turquoise, 1 green, 1 turquoise, 3 green, 2 turquoise.) Be careful not to get the thread caught in the dangling buttons as you stitch—this definitely requires some patience.

Here's how to knot the thread at the end of each button row: First, thread through the two remaining button holes on the last button twice, ending with the needle on the back side of the work. Turn the work over and thread the needle through one of the stitches on the back side of the button.

Pull the thread until there is just a small loop of thread left (as shown). Insert the needle through this loop twice, and, holding the thread close to the stitch with your finger, pull the thread taut. Snip the thread ends.

 Once you've sewn together all of the button rows, you're finished!

Your coaster is now ready to serve! Remember that this is best suited for cool drinks because anything hot might melt the buttons.

See more of my projects on my personal blog, and look for my new book, Crochet Adorned, in stores August 11, 2009.

View 4 member project galleries

Woven Button Basket
EndlessC

Woven Button Coaster
lling

Button Coaster
bexx

Woven Button Coaster
DudeCraft

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Comments (29)

LunarFaith writes: very very nice project - really never thought buttons make up coasters w.w.o.w.w
Posted: 2:15 am on June 11th

LindaPermann writes: Hi Nancy-
Yes, it's completely fine to link to this tutorial.
Cheers,
Linda
Posted: 2:48 pm on May 30th

NancyWard writes: Hi!

Today I posted an entry on my blog with a link to this tutorial.

Would you let me know if that's OK?

Thanks,

Nancy Ward
http://paperfriendly.blogspot.com
Posted: 1:18 pm on May 30th

EndlessC writes: Thanks for sharing this Linda! I added a picture of the basket that I embellished with woven buttons and I'm thinking of weaving more buttons for a liner in another basket that I have. Great idea and fun to do!
Posted: 7:49 am on May 19th

JennlovesSteve writes: This is so cute! There are so many things that you can make with it too!
I am so excited to try it!
Posted: 8:54 pm on May 3rd

CarlaT writes: I'm going to try this one thanks for sharing
Posted: 9:21 am on March 30th

LindaPermann writes: avocadooo-- I don't mind at all if you want to make and sell these. It would be nice if you credit the design on the tag or in the listing, but other than that, have at it!
Posted: 2:22 pm on March 16th

avocadooo writes: Linda:

LOVE this!!! Wondering if you'd mind if one made and sold these? :)
Posted: 8:09 pm on March 15th

LindaPermann writes: redheadforpeace- i bought a bunch (BUNCH!) of buttons from a woman on etsy and these were tossed in the mix- they were actually the ones i was least excited about! you can try joanns or michaels- they usually have colorful plastic buttons in very similar sizes sold in small bags for $2 or so. you can also try ebay, etsy, or go scouting at garage sales. I think mine were basically a bunch of shirt buttons saved up over the years.
Posted: 3:04 am on March 12th

redheadforpeace writes: I love this and can't wait to make one ... only I can't find buttons!!! Where you do find a large quantity of the same type of button?
Posted: 2:54 pm on March 11th

LindaPermann writes: thanks again everyone!
phreec- you could certainly try felt or cork, although then (at least with felt) you could just sew the buttons directly to it. I guess I am thinking more decoratively (a glass of wine, for instance, usually does not sweat). but go for it!

as for the bowl- it was made with a sturdy thread (I think the buttons were larger and therefore had larger holes), you could also try elastic. Wire might be too pesky to work with, but it's worth a shot.
Posted: 3:07 pm on March 9th

eveh writes: Oh, I love this. I think it would make cute pockets on a shirt. Of course you couldn't use them as a pocket but I never do anyway. I can also see this as a design around a box, as a book cover, covering a lamp shade, friendship bracelets, If you used elastic instead of thread, it would increase your options. Thank you for this.
Posted: 10:08 pm on March 8th

MsMae writes: This is a great idea! I'm always on the look out for good button ideas. Went insane last year and bought this huge box of old buttons. I was wondering about the buttons scratching furniture. Also, do you have any idea how the bowl were made using the buttons? Would the thread keep it tight enough to keep its shape or do you think wire would be required?
Posted: 4:19 pm on March 8th

phreec writes: an afterthought; these are awesome just this way, but do you think a bit of felt (or cork, or otherwise) underneath would detract from their beautiful cuteness? my mother (and partner-in-craft) brought up the subject of "sweat" absorbtion from cold drinks, LOL! any ideas/suggestions, from anyone?
thanks again!!
~christi ;)
Posted: 3:40 pm on March 8th

phreec writes: this is awesome; thank you for your time, creating and posting this project!! :)
i'm also a button hoarder - bins and BINS! with lots of flat buttons of all sizes and colors :) if i manage to get them out of the garage, i think a rainbow set, or custom-colored set would be fun!!
thanks so much!!
~christi :)
virginia beach, VA
Posted: 3:35 pm on March 8th

ChristineDesigns writes: What a unique idea. I can't wait to give this a try & use up some of my buttons & floss that I've been hording over the years. Thanks for the idea!
Posted: 5:40 pm on March 7th

zencatknit writes: Just to say AWSOME!!!!!!!! As I own millions of buttons and I am not exagerating. I definitely want to get into this project. Great Job! Lisa
Posted: 5:12 pm on March 7th

LindaPermann writes: reliker- well, i figured someone was bound to comment either way on whether or not hot drinks would melt the buttons (and i can't be sure what kind of buttons everyone will use), so I just wanted to cover my bases. Feel free to experiment with your next cup of tea.

Jeffrey- thanks for the comment- a huge compliment coming from you! I do have an itch to make a complete set now, if only for the fun of connecting all of the buttons.




Posted: 12:46 pm on March 7th

Jeff_Rudell writes: Linda: The moment I saw this I got that little tingle -- call it the Craft Itch! I could imagine how satisfying this piece would feel in my hands, what fun it would be putting it together, and what squeals of delight it would likely elicit from guests who saw it. Fun to do, fun to have, and fun to share: a perfect project in my opinion. Thank you.

Posted: 11:47 am on March 7th

Jrsjewels writes: This is so cool! Thanks for sharing!
Posted: 8:57 am on March 7th

reliker writes: This is really, really cute! But just out of curiousity, how hot are your hot drinks, Linda? Since the average modern button is designed to go into the washer and dryer, and can stand up to a hot iron (did you know cotton is ironed at about 400 degrees?), and the average hot drink doesn't get above 212 degrees (the boiling temperature of water), I suspect your coaster would be just fine. You could always test one of your buttons with an iron before you started the project, just to make sure... (Actually, I'd probably just drop it into my tea and see how it did, but I'm lazy!)
Posted: 1:56 am on March 7th

beaderonboard writes: What a cute coaster, you did such a great job.
I can't wait to give it a try, give me a chance to use up all of those buttons I've been hoarding for years.
I can see how it would make a very cute purse also.
Thank You for Sharing.

Posted: 1:19 am on March 7th

LindaPermann writes: thanks y'all. thelongthread- i want to see your button tablecloth/rug/house if you end up making it :)
Posted: 11:59 pm on March 4th

thelongthread writes: So cool! I think I'll make a tablecloth like this -- no, a rug -- no, I'll cover the backyard in buttons, or the whole house. Love it.
Posted: 8:50 pm on March 4th

luvinthemommyhood writes: This is gorgeous! I adore buttons and you just helped give me one more project to add to my ever growing list. Thanks for the wonderful tutorial.
Posted: 6:46 pm on March 4th

susanstars writes: beautiful, Linda! I love it so much. I just mentioned on Erika's post that I adore pearl buttons and it's so cool to see these gorgeous projects bringing them to life!
Posted: 4:02 pm on March 4th

kaytet writes: linda that's great! i saw bowls made this way at a museum and thought the same thing. but you actually made them!!!
Posted: 10:43 am on March 4th

Sister_Diane writes: OMG, Linda - that is insanely cool, And beautiful! So many possibilities, the mind just boggles. Thank you for the beautiful tutorial!
Posted: 9:52 am on March 4th

afreehand writes: very clever! i've seen buttons used in many crafty ways but this is different and a quite elegant result with plain buttons. good job!
Posted: 9:40 am on March 4th

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