DIY Wedding
How to Make a Covered-Button Bracelet and Ring Set
March 15th, 2009 in sewing, patterns & designs, jewelry making, books & more
Susan Beal, contributor
26 users recommend
Make this simple, pretty set with a favorite small-print fabric. I used a Denyse Schmidt print from her Katie Jump Rope collection.
Photo: Susan Beal
I absolutely love covered buttons, and when I was thinking up new button projects for this month, I knew I wanted to make something fun with a handful of them. I thought I'd try using one of my favorite fabrics—a Denyse Schmidt print from her Katie Jump Rope collection—to decorate a simple bracelet and ring pairing. You can make your own version in any size or scale of covered buttons, using a favorite print or pattern.
What you'll need:
- One bracelet blank (I got mine at eloxite.com)
- One ring blank (I got mine at metalliferous.com)
- Covered-button kit—one button for each bracelet link, plus one for the ring (I used a total of seven in the 3/4-inch size)
- Fabric remnant of your choice
- Sharp scissors and pliers
- Glue (I used Aleene's 7800 Platinum Bond)
- Plain buttons, one for each bracelet link and one for the ring (more on this in step 2)
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Here's everything you'll need to make a bracelet and ring (plain buttons not pictured; I hadn't picked them out yet.) |
1. Following the covered-button kit package directions and template, cut out the fabric circles for your buttons. Before making the covered buttons, use your pliers to remove the shank from each button backing. (You can also remove it after the buttons are finished, but I think it's easier to do it first.)
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Taking the button backs' shanks off is easier to do before you create the covered buttons. |
2. Create seven (or the number needed to make a bracelet and ring, one for each link) covered buttons, following the package directions. Now choose seven boring, plain sew-through buttons you will never use for another craft project that are smaller than the covered buttons—they should fit nicely into the back recess of the covered buttons to fill that empty space. Do not use cute, inspirational buttons for this step—these behind-the-scenes buttons should be workhorses, not ballerinas.
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Choose boring sew-through buttons to glue into the backs of your covered buttons—make sure they fit neatly into the recess. |
3. Apply a generous dab of glue right into the back of the first covered button and press a plain sew-through button into it. Repeat with the other six. Let them set until the glue is mostly or completely dry and the inner button is not easily moved.
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Let the glue set before gluing the buttons onto the links and ring. |
4. Once the glue is set, you'll use another generous dab of glue to attach one covered button to each link of the bracelet, and one to the ring blank. Let the glue set completely before wearing.
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Let the bracelet and ring dry completely before wearing them. |
Variation: I think this would be really cute with a mix of fabrics, like a colorful charm bracelet! Or coordinate it to another covered-button piece like Kayte Terry's super-pretty Covered-Button Cardigan.
After you make this project, show off your work to other members!
Post your project in the gallery
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Comments (14)
Posted: 6:33 pm on June 2nd
Posted: 6:09 pm on April 30th
Posted: 6:23 am on April 30th
i am going to look for the supplies tomorrow!
Posted: 10:50 pm on April 19th
You can make these without the extra step for sure, though!
Posted: 2:36 pm on March 31st
Posted: 9:43 pm on March 30th
I will give it a try soon.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted: 3:00 pm on March 22nd
oh - another source for the bracelet backs is Fire Mountain Gems: http://www.firemountaingems.com/search.asp?SKW=bracelet&Constraint=34
I had seen them there but never thought to do something like this with them. Thanks for the awesome inspiration! Once I can get one made, I will post it in the gallery.
Posted: 3:07 pm on March 21st
Posted: 2:35 am on March 17th
the bracelet is from eloxite.com - product #18-201, it comes in gold or silver.
the ring is from metalliferous.com - product #JF0682Y (page 105 in the downloadable catalog). It also comes in silver and in gold (#JF0682Y).
The prices vary by quantity but they are not expensive, they're base metal instead of sterling silver or gold-filled.
Hope that helps!
Posted: 2:26 am on March 17th
pattyannie, I will look for direct links or product numbers for the exact ring and bracelet blanks I used and post those as soon as I have them. You can also find some good options at http://rings-things.com.
Posted: 1:28 pm on March 15th
Posted: 1:10 pm on March 15th
Adele from Fiberfads!
Posted: 10:07 am on March 15th
and thanks for the shout-out!
Posted: 8:54 am on March 15th