Ways to use up buttons
 

Although I’ve only been sewing 18 months I have realised that I have a large amount of ‘stuff’ accumulating. One of the things is buttons. Does anyone have any good ideas on how I can start using these up and chipping away at the collection? I have seen people use them on mug rugs as embellishments but wouldn’t that make the item unusable as a mug rug?

I love buttons! I know what you mean about mug rugs, but they can be used to embellish wall hangings, some table runners, pin cushions, etc.

I think they look great in clear glass containers. All mixed up or separated by color. Use a top or the dust will gather....at my house anyway.
Kinda like grandma's button box, but out in the open so you can see them daily. And when you need a button, they are right there.

I finally gave away all my buttons, except glass, wood and shell, to a friend, 6-5 quart buckets full. I have a few "things" that use them, but I never got around to doing them.

I bought a necklace years ago that was made of buttons, all in one color family. (Mine is beige/brown.) The buttons are joined in a waterfall effect according to size, joined by a chain of single crochet. It is large and heavy, but never fails to elicit comments.

One of my grandkids' favorite things to do is get my button jar out and sort buttons. It is a gallon jar, so a big mess when they dump them all out, but it keeps them occupied for a long time. Of course, the kids have to be out of the "every thing in the mouth" stage.

I have used them for tying a quilt, but not too many as they add weight. I have sewn the flat type on by machine which makes a "tack" for tying the quilt. I love the look!

I store mine in small latching jars, sorted by color. They are then used as decor. Also use them to cover wooden letters or objects then spraying painting them in one high gloss color is very attractive. Take your mismatched items ie: cups holding scissors, pencils, whatever cover with buttons then spray paint. My daughter uses them in wall collage.

I've made earrings, ornaments and pins but here's a Pinterest link with ideas

https://www.pinterest.com/search/pin...4593&term_meta[]=button%7Cautocomplete%7C0&term_meta[]=crafts%7Cautocomplete%7C0

oh those disney princess pics are so cute!! Thanks for the link. I need to use a few up or else I'll have to buy more storage containers. Which I don't have room for.

well years ago i made four patches with a bit of batting in them. sewed them into rows to make a queen quilt. since i'd put batting in already i had to zig zag the four patches together. then sewed buttons on each side of the quilt. there was a light side and a darker side. One of my first. when i moved i gave away three large cans of collected buttons! sad to see them go but i only have so much time on this earth!

That sounds very cool! I may have to try it...I still have my grandmothers' collection!

Several years ago I got a velvet picture frame embellished with the old fashioned white pearl buttons. It was really cute and would be easy to do.

I have a large collection of buttons too and I have used them to make ornaments for Christmas tree and trees using the styrofoam balls and trees cones from micheals. Also used buttons on large letters to embellish.

Crazy patchwork wall hanging. Check out https://pintangle.com/faq-pages/cq-details/

Or if you like art try mixed media 'paintings' using anything and everything.

I have a lamp with a jar full of buttons as the base

I saw a photo online of a lamp shade covered with buttons. looked great.

Some interesting ideas - thanks everyone! Suzisew - the Pinterest link is amazing!

I do button art. I've made flags, Christmas trees, pumpkins, black cats, wreaths, hearts, shamrocks and tons of other things. I use various sized picture frames, without the glass, and change them up seasonally.