If you’ve got a box of assorted buttons, don’t let those little gems go to waste in the bottom of a drawer! DIY button crafts are simple and fun ways to make beautiful home decor, handmade gifts, accessories, and seasonal decor with vintage or leftover buttons.
The great thing about DIY button crafts is that you don’t need expensive materials or advanced crafting skills. Instead, you can use a basic canvas, cardboard, fabric, wood, or an old frame. Then, arrange your buttons into beautiful flowers, trees, hearts, animals, letters, or colorful patterns.
The variety of buttons in terms of color, shape, finish and size make them particularly valuable for beginners as they can be incorporated into the design itself. There are a variety of interesting ways to recycle old buttons into canvas art, vintage jewelry, and more.
Why Try DIY Button Crafts?
Before throwing away a collection of unused buttons, consider how versatile they can be.
Button crafts are:
- Budget-friendly because you can reuse buttons you already own.
- Beginner-friendly and suitable for many simple projects.
- Easy to personalize with your favorite colors and patterns.
- Great for upcycling old sewing supplies.
- Useful for home décor, gifts, accessories, and seasonal projects.
- Suitable for children and adults, with supervision when small buttons are involved.
You can also mix buttons with embroidery, beads, felt, paper, fabric scraps, wooden pieces, or embroidery hoops to create more dimensional designs.
1. DIY Button Crafts for a Beautiful Flower Canvas
Firstly, use buttons to create colorful flower heads and transform an ordinary canvas into a cheerful floral display!
For centers use larger sized buttons and for petals use smaller buttons around the centers. Simply paint or sketch basic stems below and then add felt leaves or embroidered leaves.
If you prefer a softer appearance to your outfit, opt for pastel shades of pink, cream, white or green buttons. Use bright colours for a children’s room or craft corner.
2. DIY Button Crafts: Vintage Button Heart Art
Make a sentimental white or ivory, cream, beige or soft gold button patterned heart.
Next, draw a heart on canvas or thick fabric, then fill it with buttons. You can either leave the center open or cover the entire heart shape for a fuller look.
Finished with an old frame, it will be even more adorable.
3. Button Tree Wall Art
One of the simplest designs to personalize is a button tree.
Paint a simple tree trunk and branches onto canvas. When dry, put buttons on branches to show leaves.
For a traditional tree, use green buttons; for a playful tree, use colorful buttons; or for an autumn tree, use various shades of brown and gold.
4.DIY Button Crafts: Four-Season Button Tree
Take the basic button tree one step further by dividing the artwork into four seasonal sections.
Use:
- Pink and white for spring
- Green and bright shades for summer
- Orange, yellow, and brown for fall
- White, silver, and icy blue for winter
This makes an eye-catching statement piece that can stay on your wall throughout the year.
5. DIY Button Crafts: Button Flower Bouquet
Turn buttons into a 3-D bouquet, rather than making flowers to stay on a canvas.
Make flower heads by stacking a number of buttons and attach them to craft wire or another firm stem. Attach with felt leaves and arrange in a small glass jar, bottle or pretty vase.
This is a nice method to produce a handmade focal point which does not demand watering.
6. DIY Button Crafts: Button Monogram
Decorate a bedroom, an office, a nursery or craft room with a button initial.
Create a large letter out of cardboard, wood, or canvas. Place buttons in the shape; test various sizes of buttons before gluing them in place.
One-colour means elegant, a rainbow means playful for children.
7. DIY Button Crafts: Button Rainbow Wall Art
Create and sketch a rainbow on canvas and add buttons to each segment.
Traditional colors or an unusual rainbow of pink, purple, turquoise, gold and white.
Add texture and/or raised buttons for extra dimension.
8. DIY Button Crafts: Button Hot Air Balloon
Create a whimsical hot-air-balloon picture using a shadowbox or canvas.
Arrange colorful buttons into the balloon shape and add a small basket underneath. Draw thin lines between the balloon and basket to complete the design.
This idea works particularly well for nursery décor, children’s rooms, or cheerful handmade gifts.
9. DIY Button Crafts: Button Bird Artwork
Turn buttons into a colorful bird silhouette.
Choose a few large buttons for the body and smaller ones for the wings, tail, and decorative details. Add embroidered branches or a painted background to complete the scene.
You can create a robin, cardinal, owl, or completely imaginary bird.
10. DIY Button Crafts: Button Dandelion Art
For a more elegant project, use pearl, glass, translucent, or mother-of-pearl-style buttons as dandelion heads.
Draw delicate stems onto a neutral canvas and attach buttons where the flower heads would appear.
A pale blue, beige, or cream background keeps the design sophisticated and suitable for almost any room.
11. DIY Button Crafts: Button Cupcake Picture
Create a sweet piece of kitchen or children’s décor by turning buttons into cupcakes.
Use a larger button arrangement for the frosting and smaller buttons as sprinkles. Add a paper or painted cupcake wrapper underneath.
Bright colors make this project playful, while pastel buttons give it a softer bakery-inspired appearance.
12. DIY Button Crafts: Button Pumpkin Art
Autumn is a perfect time to bring your button collection into seasonal décor.
Arrange orange buttons into a pumpkin silhouette on black, cream, or wooden background. Add green buttons or painted details for the stem and leaves.
For Halloween, you can add black buttons around the design for extra contrast.
13. Button Snowman Decoration
Create a simple winter scene using white buttons for a snowman.
Use three different sizes to form the body, then add smaller buttons for eyes and clothing details. A scrap of fabric can become the scarf.
Mount the design on a small wooden board or canvas for an easy holiday decoration.
14. Button Christmas Tree
Instead of using traditional ornaments, create a miniature Christmas tree entirely from buttons.
Start with a triangular tree shape and layer green buttons from bottom to top. Add red, gold, white, or silver buttons as ornaments.
A star-shaped button at the top can provide the finishing touch.
15. Button Wreath
Make a decorative wreath by arranging buttons around a cardboard, foam, or wooden base.
You can create different versions for different seasons. Try green and red for Christmas, pastel shades for spring, orange and brown for fall, or neutral buttons for everyday décor.
The wreath can be displayed on a door, wall, shelf, or mantel.
16. Vintage Button Bookmark
Use an old button to create a book mark.
Use a decorative button to attach to a ribbon, cord or a firm paper clip. Select a button that is shaped differently, has a floral design, a metallic finish or an old-fashioned look.
These are great little handmade bookmarks.
If you want to explore more creative button art ideas, check out the button craft inspiration from Mod Podge Rocks.
17. Button Jewelry
Buttons can be very trendy accessories!
Make a necklace using a combination of decorative buttons, chain, ribbon, beads or wire. Many large vintage buttons can be used as eye-catching accents, and multiple small buttons can be used to create a layered effect.
Try bracelets, earrings and brooches as options too, depending on what kind of buttons one has.
18. Button Hair Clips
Give plain hair clips a colorful makeover.
Choose lightweight buttons and attach them securely to the top of the clip. Floral, pastel, animal, or colorful buttons are especially suitable for playful accessories.
This is also a useful project for using up small collections of matching buttons.
19. Button Fridge Magnets
Transform attractive buttons into decorative magnets.
Simply pair suitable buttons with small craft magnets and secure them properly. Use them to hold photographs, shopping lists, notes, or children’s artwork on the refrigerator.
Fabric-covered buttons can be particularly attractive for this project.
20. Button Picture Frame
Refresh a plain picture frame with buttons.
Arrange buttons around the outer edge, either randomly or according to a repeating color pattern. You can cover the entire frame or decorate only the corners.
This makes an inexpensive frame feel more personal and works beautifully as a handmade gift.
21. Button Greeting Cards
Buttons can add instant dimension to handmade cards.
Create flowers, balloons, hearts, cupcakes, snowflakes, or simple abstract patterns using buttons. Combine them with paper-cut shapes and hand-drawn details.
A handmade button card can turn a basic greeting into a memorable keepsake.
22. Button Pillow Decoration
For a textile project, sew decorative buttons directly onto a pillow cover.
Try arranging them into flowers, geometric patterns, initials, or a simple border. Sewing is preferable when the finished item will be handled frequently because it keeps the buttons attached without relying entirely on adhesive.
Vintage buttons can give plain linen or neutral cushions a cozy, collected look.
23. Button Jar Display
Sometimes the simplest idea is also the most attractive.
Fill a clear glass jar with buttons and use it as decorative storage. Sort buttons by color for a more organized appearance, or combine different shades for a playful vintage look.
Place the jar on a sewing table, bookshelf, craft shelf, or open cabinet.
For more fun and creative projects, explore 15 Easy DIY Paper Flowers for Kids: Fun Crafts for Toddlers, Preschoolers & Older Children and find simple craft ideas children will love.
24. Button Wall Hanging
Create a rustic wall hanging by stringing buttons along cord, ribbon, or twine.
Use buttons of different shapes and textures to create an intentionally eclectic arrangement. Wooden beads, small charms, or fabric strips can be added for extra texture.
This works particularly well with farmhouse, cottage, vintage, and bohemian interiors.
25. Button Animal Art
Turn buttons into adorable animals.
Simple silhouettes are easiest to create. Try an owl, butterfly, fish, cat, dog, penguin, or turtle.
Use large buttons for the main body and smaller pieces for eyes, wings, ears, or other details. A painted or fabric background can help the animal stand out.
26. Button Flag or Geometric Art
You don’t always need to create recognizable objects.
Arrange buttons into stripes, blocks, circles, zigzags, or abstract patterns. A limited color palette can make the result look more modern.
For example, combine navy, cream, and red buttons for a classic look or black, white, and metallic buttons for a contemporary design.
27. Button Embroidery Hoop Art
Use an embroidery hoop as the frame for a button-and-fabric artwork.
Stretch linen, cotton, or another suitable fabric inside the hoop, then arrange buttons into flowers, leaves, stars, hearts, or abstract shapes.
Add embroidery stitches for stems and leaves to create a mixed-media effect.
For more fun and beginner-friendly craft inspiration, check out 30 Air Dry Clay Ideas for Beginners That Are Cute, Creative, and Easy to Make.
28. Button Gift Tags
Make ordinary gift wrapping more special with handmade button tags.
Cut tags from cardstock and decorate them with one or two carefully selected buttons. Add ribbon, twine, handwriting, or small paper shapes.
This is a great way to use unusual buttons that are too beautiful to hide inside a large project.
29. Button Sewing-Room Décor
If you love sewing, create artwork specifically for your craft space.
Arrange buttons into a spool of thread, sewing machine, needle, scissors, or a simple “sew” design. Mount the artwork in a small frame and place it near your sewing supplies.
You can also combine buttons with actual thread, fabric scraps, and embroidery for a layered effect.
30. Button Keepsake Display
Some buttons have sentimental value, especially those saved from older clothing or inherited sewing collections.
Instead of permanently gluing these pieces to a craft, consider displaying them in a shadowbox, small frame, or removable arrangement.
Group them by color, era, material, or family connection. This turns a simple sewing collection into meaningful décor while allowing the buttons to remain preserved.
How to Make DIY Button Crafts Look More Professional
The secret to attractive DIY button crafts isn’t simply using lots of buttons. Arrangement matters just as much.
Sort Before You Start
Separate your collection by:
- Color
- Size
- Shape
- Material
- Texture
- Vintage or modern style
This makes it much easier to create a balanced design.
Test the Arrangement First
Don’t glue immediately.
Place your buttons on the project surface and move them around until the composition looks right. This is especially important for trees, flowers, animals, and other recognizable designs.
Mix Sizes for Dimension
Using only one button size can make artwork look flat. Combining large, medium, and tiny buttons creates visual depth.
Leave Some Empty Space
You don’t have to cover every inch of the background. Negative space can make the finished artwork look cleaner and more intentional.
Choose Adhesive According to the Project
For lightweight decorative pieces, a suitable craft glue may be enough. For projects that will experience more handling, choose an adhesive appropriate for the materials you’re joining.
If you’re sewing buttons onto fabric, stitching them in place is often the better choice.
Be Careful With Valuable Vintage Buttons
Before gluing an especially old, rare, delicate, or sentimental button to a permanent project, consider displaying it in a removable arrangement instead.
That way, you can enjoy its appearance without potentially damaging a collectible piece.
If you’re looking for more affordable ways to refresh your space, check out our guide to 10 DIY Dorm Room Decor Ideas on a Budget That Look Amazing for creative and stylish inspiration.
What Can You Make With Old Buttons?
Old buttons can become much more than wall decorations. Depending on their size and style, you can turn them into:
- Jewelry
- Bookmarks
- Magnets
- Hair accessories
- Greeting cards
- Picture frames
- Pillow decorations
- Seasonal ornaments
- Wall art
- Gift tags
- Home décor
- Keepsake displays
Their variety is what makes them so useful. A collection of ordinary plastic buttons can create a playful children’s craft, while mother-of-pearl, glass, metal, or vintage buttons can produce a much more elegant result.
Final Thoughts
These DIY button crafts prove that a small sewing supply can become something surprisingly creative. Whether you want to make colorful wall art, vintage-inspired décor, handmade gifts, jewelry, or seasonal decorations, buttons give you plenty of room to experiment.
Start with the easiest project that catches your attention. Sort your buttons, sketch your design, test the arrangement, and then bring everything together. You may be surprised by how much personality a handful of forgotten buttons can add to your home.
FAQs About DIY Button Crafts
1. What can I make with old buttons?
You can make wall art, flowers, jewelry, bookmarks, magnets, picture frames, greeting cards, wreaths, seasonal decorations, and many other handmade projects.
2. Are button crafts good for beginners?
Yes. Many button projects require only a basic surface, buttons, and suitable adhesive, making them accessible for beginners. Simple shapes such as hearts, flowers, trees, and rainbows are good places to start.
3. How do I arrange buttons for wall art?
Start by sketching your design on canvas, wood, fabric, or another suitable background. Arrange the buttons without glue first, experiment with different sizes and colors, and then attach them once you’re happy with the composition.
4. Can vintage buttons be used for crafts?
Yes, but valuable or sentimental vintage buttons deserve extra care. If you’re unsure whether a button is collectible, consider displaying it in a removable arrangement rather than permanently gluing it to a project.
5. What are the easiest DIY button crafts?
Some of the easiest options include button magnets, greeting cards, bookmarks, simple canvas designs, flower artwork, monograms, and seasonal shapes such as pumpkins or snowmen.
