Make polymer clay buttons to give garments a special finishing touch or to add to other craft projects for some finishing flare. Polymer clay is easy to work with, requiring little in the way of special materials or equipment. Cut button shapes by hand or use small cookie cutters for a quick way to make a number of identical buttons.
Polymer clay buttons are an ideal project for beginners as well as people with more experience. The basic buttons can be adapted in a wide variety of ways to make interesting one-of-a-kind designs. There are many well known brands of polymer clay, including Fimo and Sculpey, and they are all suitable for making buttons.
How to Make Basic Polymer Clay Buttons
Before making polymer clay buttons, it is important to have some basic details to hand:
- Size of button hole – if the polymer clay buttons are to be fitted to an existing garment it is important to check the size of the button hole before proceeding
- Color – some polymer clays darken slightly once they have been baked or cured. It is a good idea to bake a test piece and check the color before making the buttons.
- Means of attaching buttons – there are many ways to sew buttons onto garments and this needs to be decided before planning the button design. The method of attaching buttons can become a design feature.
Materials
- Polymer clay
- Oven to bake the finished buttons
- Piece of parchment paper
- Craft knife or small cookie cutters
- Baking tray (for craft use only)
- Pointed implement to make holes (an embroidery needle will work well)
- Craft rolling pin and other basic craft equipment as required
Tip: Cut the parchment paper so it fits the baking tray. This way the buttons can remain on the parchment paper during baking and this will help to avoid them getting damaged when they are placed on the baking tray.
Basic Button Instructions
- Roll the polymer clay using hands or a craft roller to condition the clay well and make it soft to use.
- Use a craft rolling pin to roll the clay into a sheet that is approximately 3mm (1/11”) thick.
- Cut the polymer clay into button shapes using a craft knife or cookie cutter.
- Pierce holes in the buttons using the pointed implement, move the point around slowly to open the holes further if required.
- If necessary, refine the shaping and smooth out any marks on the surface. Smooth the edges of the button if required to emphasize the shape.
- Carefully place the parchment paper with the buttons onto a baking tray and bake according to the manufacturers instructions
- When the buttons are cool, they can be varnished with a clear acrylic varnish if required or left plain for a satin finish.
Polymer Clay Button Variations
One of the joys of making polymer clay buttons is that the basic buttons can be embellished and adorned to create highly unusual designs. Adapt the basic polymer clay buttons in a variety of ways to add extra texture, color or interest. Try some of these ways to adapt the basic buttons:
- Rub metallic pigment powders over the surface of the polymer clay before baking to give a shine to the finished buttons. This should be sealed after baking with varnish.
- Add texture to the surface of the buttons using rubber stamps or draw freehand using a sharp point. Many items can be used to create interesting impressions in the surface, including dried leaves, pieces of fabric or even bubble wrap.
- Make three dimensional buttons by using a thick piece of polymer clay and shaping the edges with hands or a modeling implement.
- Combine two or more colors of polymer clay to create a marble effect or add complementary colored polymer clay embellishments to the surface of the button before baking.
Polymer clay buttons are easy to make and can be the perfect way to add a unique finishing touch to a garment.
Further Reading About Polymer Clay
For more information and ideas take a look at Designing with Polymer Clay and Polymer Clay Pushpins. The Internatonal Polymer Clay Guild is also a good source of information.
Kate Pullen - Kate Pullen is a freelance writer specializing in arts and crafts , and is an accomplished craftsperson. As well as being a designer / ...
