If you’ve ever opened a tin of vintage buttons and felt like you discovered a small, glamorous archaeological site, you’re in excellent company. These tiny treasures deserve better than being trapped in a jar like Victorian-era hostages. With a little imagination (and maybe a glue gun you claim you “barely use”), you can turn vintage buttons into mini masterpieces.
1. Vintage buttons on knitted garments
Give your knits an upgrade worthy of a Parisian grandma who knits in cashmere. Swap plain closures for vintage buttons for knitted garments and suddenly your cardigan murmurs, “Oui, I’m chic.”
2. Vintage buttons for sewing projects
Whether you’re altering, mending, or creating from scratch, vintage buttons for sewing bring charm that modern buttons can only dream of.
3. Vintage buttons for decorating
Use buttons for decorating frames, lampshades, table linens, gift boxes, napkin rings, or any object that needs a little sparkle and a little chaos.
4. Vintage buttons for making hair accessories
Why limit beauty to blouses when your hair can join the party? Use vintage buttons for making hair accessories by attaching them to barrettes, combs, headbands, or bobby pins. One little glass button and—poof—you suddenly look like someone who casually attends art openings and never forgets to water their plants. Vintage charm, zero effort.
5. Vintage buttons for blazer transformations
A blazer becomes iconic when you add vintage buttons for blazer embellishments. Think heritage chic meets effortless cool.
6. Vintage buttons for coat makeovers
Oversized vintage buttons for coat projects take any winter coat from “functional” to “main character in a romantic film set in Prague.”
7. Vintage inspired brooches with vintage buttons
Make your own brooches by layering vintage buttons on felt, metal blanks, or fabric Yo-Yos. Glue, stitch, stack—they all work. The result? A brooch that looks like it came from your imaginary Paris antique dealer.
8. Vintage buttons on a bracelet projects
Create charming button bangles using elastic thread or chain links. A vintage buttons bracelet jingles softly as you walk, announcing your creativity like a tiny couture tambourine.
9. Vintage buttons on beret projects
A beret + vintage buttons = instant French-girl energy. Cluster them near the brim or create a starburst pattern. You’ll look like someone who owns a tiny art gallery and refuses to explain your process.
10. Vintage buttons on decorative bouquets
Add vintage buttons to fabric flowers, wedding bouquets, or dried arrangements. They become tiny jewels among the petals—and unlike real flowers, they never wilt, complain, or demand sunlight.
What are the best tools to use when crafting with vintage buttons?
A sharp needle, polyester thread, jewelry pliers, elastic cord, a glue gun, fabric scraps, and of course: an unreasonable quantity of vintage buttons. (The correct number of buttons is “more than you currently own.”)
Ready to dive deeper into the glamorous rabbit hole of sewing notions? Explore the Zaza of Canada treasure boxes: vintage buttons, Czech glass masterpieces, floral beauties, big bold coat buttons, and sparkly rhinestone shank marvels. Warning: once you start browsing, you may “accidentally” fall in love with a button you didn’t know you needed.