Button Broach, a Tutorial

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Updated 6/17/17 with better Photos!

Awhile ago I found the cutest pack of buttons at SAS, I seem to be finding lots of cool stuff there lately.  Anyway, the buttons had a sort of vintage feel to them so I thought they would make pretty broaches.

Here’s what you need:

• Some interesting buttons, about 1 inch in size is preferable
• Some pin-backs (like these) 
• scissors
• Wide pretty lace, I used two kinds of cotton eyelet lace.
• A decent glue, I used Aleene’s Jewel-It.  It works miracles.
• A threaded needle with a knot at the end, this is one of those things that is easier sewn by hand than machine.
  

First cut about 7 inches of lace.  You are going to gather it to make a rosette, so if you already know how you can skip down a few steps.  If you don’t know what I’m talking about, keep reading.

Sew the ends of your strip of lace together to form a tube shape.

Now grab your needle and start sewing a running stitch along the bottom edge of the lace.  It doesn’t have to be neat.

When you reach the end all you have to do is tug on the thread to gather the lace.  It will form a perfect little flower shape, perfect for embellishing a wide range of items. 

While you are dreaming of all the things you will use your lace rosettes for, don’t forget to knot the end of thread so it doesn’t un-gather.

Now dab a good sized amount of glue to the front of the rosette.

Carefully press your button into the glue.  The shank of the button should fit perfectly into the center of the rosette.

Gently flip the rosette over and add some more glue.  This is to attach the pin-back and help secure the lace.

Press your pin-back into the glue to finish the broach.

Another option here is to cut a circle from felt or some other fabric and glue it to the back before adding the pin-back.  This will allow for a neater look, at least neater than what’s shown here.

Another option is to avoid gluing all together by sewing it all.  Takes a little longer to make that way, but the results are beautiful. 

Here’s my finished results.  Hope yours looks just as lovely.  The cameo one at the bottom is the one in the other photos.  The other two I made using the “neater” option.  I will probably either sell those two or give them as gifts.

Here’s the updated list:

• Needle case
• Mug cozy
• Pants
• Hair accessories
• Brooches
• Necklace
• Other jewelry
• Food
• Top
• Skirt

Five down, five to go.  The next project should be up by Saturday.

Update: I made a video tutorial for the lace rosette, feel free to check it out if you are having trouble making them.  Plus I made another tutorial for a similar broach, my lace applique broach.  Please check it out.