If you sew, you have the same problem I have - which is, I end up with a tons of fabric scraps that I refuse to throw away because: 1. It's too wasteful, and 2. I spent money on that and should make the most of it! But then I end up with a big pile of fabric scraps (or in my case, 3 big containers full of them) that I have no idea what to do with it.

Because I refuse to throw the fabric away, even if they are just a couple of inches, I have been online searching for the perfect projects for all these scraps. There are many ideas out there but never enough time, so for now - I have put the links at the button of this article. But, there was one thing I tried and have fallen in love with it. So, I thought I'd write about it and share it with you. And that is - make fabric buttons!!!

Size	Diameter
20	1/2"
24	5/8"
30	3/4"
36	7/8"
45	1 1/8"
60	1 1/2"
75	1 7/8"

I don't even remember where I saw this idea from, I think it was while browsing on Instagram using #fabricscraps. Of course, this is not an original idea - there's plenty of people out there that make them, and plenty of articles and how-to's as well (that is how I learned). One of the tutorials I read was from Sew So Easy's Make Fabric Covered Buttons . Seem pretty easy, but I didn't have the kit available to follow through with each step. So off to Amazon I went and bought this set of covered buttons kit in size 30 and 36 Why these sizes, you ask? Here's what I found the sizing to mean:

I got the size 30 and 36 because that's the same size as a nickel and a quarter, enough for me to play around with and see which one I like best. Fast forward 2 days (Thank you Prime Delivery!), received the items now wondered what fabric I should use to test it out. Hold and behold - I had some knit and woven fabric scraps sitting on the table from a project I was working on (baby pants and hanging towels) so I grabbed those to test the button kit.

I cut out the template and followed the directions and next thing I know, I had buttons! If you look at the pictures of my first buttons (below first left), you'll see that one of the lucky cat buttons seems very flat. That's because I put so much weight on pressing the back disc that I flatten out the front part of the button! Lesson learned: stop when you feel the "snap" because that's the signal that it's done.

Another thing learned: knit fabric is easier to use because it stretches, while woven fabric is a bit trickier as it pulls. So when using woven fabrics (like quilting cotton), make sure you take a look at the fabric placement before placing the back. If the fabric is not centered, then pull on the side needed and that should help place the fabric in the position you want, or just pull out the metal and re-do again.

Then I got thinking - when am I really going to use all these buttons? I barely have any outfits that require buttons, and even if I did, I have way to much fabric to replace every single button I have in my wardrobe. So, other than buttons, what can I make these into? Another google search for "fabric buttons" and a long list of ideas came up, including fabric button hair ties, hair clips, and magnets. Making magnets would require me to buy more material on Amazon, which means waiting longer to see final product, so I am leaving that to a later time. Instead went with the hair ties and clips because I had those available at home! Running upstairs to the bathroom, I find 2 clips and some hair bands that I haven't used in awhile.

Hair ties were the first thing I tried. I grabbed the hair tie and tried pushing it through the metal loop in the back of the button and OMG it was a pain in the butt! Thinking thinking thinking... I grabbed some thread and looped it with the hair tie. Then used the thread ends to loop it through the metal, and voila! Essentially, I used the thread to grab the hair tie and pull it through the metal loop. Once that happened, I just looped the hair tie one end under the other. (I hope this all makes sense, let me know if you need step by step pictures and I can get them, for now, I'm being lazy...).

Next I wanted to make the hair clips and grabbed some of the E6000 glue that says it's good for metal, and dabbed a little bit in the flat back of the button and put a hair clip on it. I happen to have mini wood clothespins I got at Daiso awhile ago, which were perfect to keep the button and the clip in place. The glue says it's best to leave them for 24 hours for maximum grip, so that's what I did. Then I made a bunch of them!

I have plenty of ideas what to do with these hair ties and clips, including wearing them myself and giving them away to all the little girls in my life! But honestly, I have so much fabric that I am also making a bunch of them and putting them on my Etsy store. Feel free to stop by the Hair Ties and Hair Clips to check them out, and of course - purchase if you like them!

Next in my agenda is to make the hair clips in larger sizes, so I can also use them to tie all my hair (right now I use the little ones to tie the ends of braids), be on the lookout for those on Etsy as well! Aaaaand after that is complete, I'll be moving on to making magnets... I mean, how cute would these buttons look as magnets on your refrigerator door???

And as promised above, here's the list of fabric scrap projects I'll make sure to go through some time or another: