Buttoned up gifts - from Sophie

Hope you didn't miss me much yesterday... the gift I wanted to post just isn't quiet ready yet, and it's best not to rush these things, right??  I know I don't need to explain to you what crazy is like when you're running around to back to school shopping and open houses and registration and you're totally new to the public school parent thing because your kid is just starting kindergarten (eek!) and the school he's going to was just completely rebuilt, ground up, so everything is totally chaotic and crazy and disorganized as they try really hard to make sure everything is actually ready to open by September 3rd, and of course you're 8.5 months pregnant as well and OH! Did I mention mr is in CHINA AGAIN?!?!  Plus you've just gotten your second respiratory infection of the summer.  Yea!  Anyway, you know exactly what that's like, right?
I knew it.

SO.  Today is our last guest post for Gift it, which makes me sad.  BUT it's Sophie, from Cirque du Bebe, which makes me exceptionally happy.  If you haven't stalked her blog, it's high time you go do it, it's one of my faves.  She can sew like nobody's business.  And her tutorial today?  It's so prettily versatile!  

Hello and thanks for having me! I'm so excited to be taking part in the 'Gift It' series and sharing a super easy, super fun DIY for cover button hair pins. Since taking up the sport of cover button hair pinning I've made and gifted, hmm, probably close to thirty sets and to all different ages. Every time the 'WOW!' has come before the 'did you make that?' which we all know is the best case scenario for a hand-made gift. And that's the best part, for a less than five minute project, they look so un-handmade when you're done. Plus you get to do some scrap-busting in the process. Make them kitsch, make them pretty or funny or yummy but I must warn you...once you pop...

...you won't stop! 

Getting set up

For this easy project you will need flat back self-cover buttons (regular buttons have a shank back and won't stick to your pins). Each button is made up of a round smooth piece which becomes the front of the button (bottom right) and a flat piece which presses into the back (bottom left). A range of sizes work well for this project, these buttons here measure 28mm in diameter but I have also used the slightly small 23 mm (cute for small florals). If you were making earings / studs you go smaller still. The tool you need to make your buttons (top left) is made up of a 'pusher' and a 'holder'. Depending on where you source your flat-back buttons, the tools may come included or can be bought separately. The easiest way to get started, in my opinion is to buy a 'kit' with the buttons and tools included. Etsy is a great source of all the self-cover buttons you could ever want for and I picked up all the buttons / tools / glue / pins you see above from here.

 You will also need hair pins with a 'glue pad' and you can choose between silver, brass or bronze. I've used both the brass and the silver and they both add something different. Once again, Etsy is a mecca for 'hair pins with glue pad'. Now, a word on glue. E6000 is the BEST and you could be lucky enough that your local craft dealer otherwise you can get it online. Which is the case for me and I ran out after the last button making festivities so here I'm using some regular craft glue, which does the job but E6000 it gives the best results and the strongest hold. This is the perfect project for using up those scraps, small prints work well and if you are low on those you can started out buying scrap bags just for this purpose on Etsy. 'Kawaii scrap bag' wields awesome results!

Find a little spot of magic on your fabric with cover button potential.

Cut a rough circle around this part that is approx 3/8" bigger than diameter of the self cover button. 

You can see here the size of the fabric circle in relation to the button...and no biggie if it's not a perfect circle, we will trim later.

Place the fabric circle face down over the 'holder'.

Put the smooth round side of the button face down on top of the fabric.

Press to the bottom and let the fabric curl in around itself.

If you have any extra long sections you might want to re-line the fabric up and try again (only important if trying to center a print) otherwise just trim of the longish part.

Grab a flat piece and place over the top, tucking all the fabric in underneath.

Place the 'pusher' over the top and press with all ye might until you feel a little 'pop' (hopefully not you).

Push that baby out...

Naaaawwww! It's a dog!

If you're making a pair of hair pins, follow all the steps again up to this point. You could even play with a little narrative and pair a girl and a dog, a cat and a bird cage etc.

Place a dab of glue onto glue pad and press firmly onto back of button.

 Leave to dry.

Poke some holes in a piece of card, wack them on, gently, and admire your perfect hand-made gift, made with love and scraps.

And if you feel the urge to make a few...

...hundred more, best not to fight it.

Thanks Sophie!  I am in LOVE with covered buttons and have used them for earrings, but never bobby pins.  I'm going to have to try it.

Guess what?  Due to Gift it.  Gift it good.  starting a little late this year (whoops) I have decided to extend it into the first week of September because 1) it's my blog and I do what I want, 2) it's my birthday on the 9th!  And that'll be the wrap up day, and 3) then it'll be a whole month.  ish.  Stay tuned!