Saturday, May 8, 2010

Covered Button Tutorial for Crocheted Flower

I want to thank you for your interest in the Crocheted Flowers I've been making and many of you expressed an interest in knowing how to make the actual crocheted flower part. I was actually just suggesting that I show you how to make the covered buttons in the flowers. I could do a video tutorial but, I have to admit that I'm a little bit afraid of making a fool of myself on video because I'm still so new at crocheting. I'd probably use the wrong crochet language and give you the wrong or confusing directions but, if you don't hold it against me I guess I could make an attempt at making a video tutorial on making the actual flower part. Let me know if you would still want me to make an attempt at it.

The Products:

Well, here's my little secret... On the left you will see a newer product called i-top by imaginisce and on the left you will see the conventional Covered Buttons by Dritz.

Note: Here's a great online source for the covered buttons (with a button shank) go to Covered Buttons.com That's where Nanette and Nedra have bought their covered buttons in bulk.

Another Note: The i-top buttons on the left are what they classify as their medium "Brad Daddies" and the traditional 7/8" Cover Button Kit by Dritz is the same size as the medium "Brad Daddies".


In this tutorial I will be using the i-top product (on the left) but not the tool (on the right).


Before I get started I'm going to send you over to Lori Holt's Blog for a wonderful tutorial on making covered buttons using the i-top covered buttons and tool. You will just love her most recent creation. She gives you a very detailed look at the i-top products and the tool for making the covered buttons with a brad.

Hurry...

Go check it out...

You can pop back over after you have a look see...

Trust me. You will LOVE it...

Especially if you LOVE covered buttons like we do.


Step One:
Making the Covered Buttons


1. Here I'm going to use the pattern and the tool from the Dritz Button Cover Kit.

2. I cut out the pattern and traced it onto some clear vinyl.

3. Then I took the top part of the button and traced around it to create a viewing area for previewing your fabric placement.

4. Cut out your fabric.


5. Take out the button tool.

6. Place fabric over the white cup.

7. Take the metal disc and place it over the fabric.

8. Press the metal disc into the cup. This will gather up the fabric and make it nice and snug.



9. This next step is certainly optional but I tend to make things secure. If that makes any sense.

10. I place a small amount of tacky glue around the metal where the fabric will touch. This makes the fabric more snug and nicely gathered around the metal disc.



11. As you can see the fabric is nicely gathered and ready to go.

12. Just add a small dot of glue before putting on the button back. Again this is optional.



13. Now place the brad backing over the back of the button.

14. Gently press down and you will feel when it's been securely placed.



15. Holding on to the brad shank remove the covered button from the plastic cup.

16. Your covered button is now ready to use.



Here's a picture of the back of the button I just made along with the back side of a traditional covered button.



Here's a look at the front of the two buttons.


Step Two:
Putting Together the Buttons & Flowers

Here are the items I used to attach the crocheted flowers to a clip to make a magnet brooch.

Left to right:
1. Binding clips or hair clips.
2. 1/ 8" x 1" Fender washers from the Hardware Store.
3. 9/16" (Smaller) Fender washers from the Hardware Store.
4. Strong magnets from the craft store.



Option 1:
Crocheted Flower with Hair Clip

Here is the placement order of the crocheted flower with a hair clip.

Left to right:
1. Covered button with brad.
2. Previously Crocheted Flower #1 (any color)
3. Previously Crocheted Flower #2 (white or any color)
4. Hair Clip



Here's a closeup view of how to attach the brad to the hairclip.

1. With pressure on the button from underneath push the brad up through the opened hair clip.



2. Open the brad and spread metal prongs across the hairclip.

3. Once the brad is secure you can slide the clip and adjust it so the back of the clip will close.

4. You can certainly cover the brad with a piece of ribbon and some hot glue but I like the flexibility of taking it off and changing the buttons or the flowers.



Option 2:
Crocheted Flower Brooch with Magnet

Here is the placement order of the crocheted flower with a magnet.

Left to right:
1. Covered button with brad.
2. Previously Crocheted Flower #1 (any color)
3. Previously Crocheted Flower #2 (white or any color)
4. 1/8" x 1" Fender Washer
5. Strong Magnet



Here's a closeup view of how to attach the brad to the fender washer.

1. With pressure on the button from underneath push up the brad up through the center hole of the fender washer.



2. Open the brad and spread metal prongs across the fender washer.



3. Once the brad is secure you can pop on the magnet.



The magnet version is great for wearing on the lapel of a jacket or on a blouse. To wear it all you have to do is place any fabric in between the magnet and the back of the flower. So that means you put the flower on the outside of you blouse and the magnet on the inside of your blouse.



I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial on making crocheted flowers.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Flower Power

I've been working on the crocheted flowers for the winners of the Celebration Giveaway and thought you might like to see them before I mail them off.

The first crocheted flower that my daughter is wearing is a pretty purple with a light polka dot center. The flower is attached to a hair clip that can be used in quilting but is commonly called a binding clip.


The next flower is a red and white with a black and white polka dot center. If you know me, you know that this is one of my favorite color combinations. I just LOVE polka dots.


This flower is pink with a multi color polka dot center. It also has a clip on the back.


This blue flower is the same one that is seen on the crochet clutch. I used a stripe for the center button. I've also attached a clip to this flower.


This teal flower has a monochromatic look with a teal on teal floral fabric for the center button. I've also attached a clip to this flower.


Here is a look at the back of the flowers. Some of you may have questions if you look closely.


They are NOT the traditional covered buttons you're used to using.

Are you wondering where I got them?

Does anyone know what they are called and where I might have gotten them?

Would you like me to share my best found secret tip?


Hmmmmm......


Should I?

Are you interested?


I'd be willing to do a whole post about them this week.

Just let me know if you're interested and I'd be happy to do that.

I could do a whole tutorial about them.

They are the coolest little product I've found.

Very versatile too.