In the 18th century, buttons were made from part of a sheep's horn in England.A plastic or metal ring, some thread, and a needle are all you need to make a Dorset button.These buttons can be used for clothing, purses, and even furniture.It is easy to learn how to make a Dorset button, and you can use it to embellish a garment or item.
Step 1: Get your materials.
There are a few items that need to be made.You will need plastic or metal rings before you start.There are craft stores where you can find these rings.Pick a ring that is 1.5 inches in diameter to make your first button.If you have a slit in your rings, your thread may slip through it.A needle.Light or medium worsted weight yarn or cotton crochet thread can be used.There are scissors.
Step 2: Make sure you thread your needle.
You will need a lot of thread to make a button.Measure out about four arm's lengths of thread or yarn, which is about 100 inches.The tapestry needle has an eye that you can insert your thread or yarn through.
Step 3: Use the blanketstitch.
The thread should be held against the edge of the ring.Wrap the thread around the outside of the ring and insert it through the center.Bring the needle through the loop created by the thread around the ring.The thread needs to be pulled to secure the stitch.This is the last blanket stitch.
Step 4: Continue to make blanket stitches to cover the ring.
While holding the beginning thread in place with your finger, keep making blanket stitches around the edge of your ring.Go all the way around the ring.Stitch around the thread that you have been holding in place to hide it.After wrapping the ring, do not cut the thread.
Step 5: The seam needs to be turned inwards.
There is a seam on the outside of the ring.To hide it, you need to work the seam towards the center of the ring.Press on the seam with your fingers going all the way around the ring.If you want to keep the seam on the backside of the button, you have to move it inwards.
Step 6: The yarn should be wrapped around the ring four times.
Eight spokes are to be created from the center of the ring.Wrap the thread around the outside of the ring four times so that the threads cross each other at the center.
Step 7: There is a thread between the spokes.
You will need to sew around the spokes to separate them and fill in the center of the button.Bring the needle up between two spokes and then down between the next two.The needle should be brought back up through the area between the first and second spokes.Continue working around the spokes and circle the button.Wrap the spokes all the way to the outer edge of the ring.
Step 8: The back side of the spoke has threads.
The tail thread needs to be secured through the back of the button.Under the threads move the needle towards the center.Pull on the thread when you bring the needle all the way through.
Step 9: If you want to attach the button to a garment, leave the tail.
If you don't need the tail to attach the button, then you can cut the excess thread.It is a good idea to leave the tail if you want to sew the button onto a garment.This will allow you to thread the tail through the eye of a needle and sew the button onto a garment with ease.
Step 10: You can use different colors.
One of the easiest ways to modify your button is by alternating colors.Choose colors that complement each other.You could use either pink or purple and yellow together.When you are halfway through weaving around the spokes, try changing colors.You can use a multi-color thread to make sure that you get a colorful button for your project.
Step 11: There should be more spokes added.
Adding extra spokes is a great way to personalize your buttons.You can make a button with 10, 12 or 20 spokes by wrapping your thread around the center more than four times.The spokes you want to create should be wrapped around the ring half the number of times.You would wrap the thread around the outside of the ring six times if you wanted to create 12 spokes.You would wrap the thread around the outside of the ring 10 times if you wanted to make 20 spokes.
Step 12: Be sure to include beads in your weaving.
Adding beads to your weaving is another way to personalize your button.As you bring the needle up through the center of the spokes, place a bead on it.Attach the bead to the thread with a stitch.As you like to incorporate beads into your button design, repeat this as many times as possible.