**Wed 17th, 2010
I've done well with these button bands and they are really easy to make and a great way to use up stashes, jars and sewing baskets full of old buttons. If your child is old enough to handle a needle, they're also great fun for craft projects and make great gifts that are much more personal for children's birthday loot bags.
Here is how to make them:
You will need small and medium sized buttons, black skirt elastic, black embroidery floss and a sewing needle (with a hole that is wide enough to fit the floss through).
Gather your buttons and decide if you are going to have a color theme.
Cut the skirt elastic to a size that will comfortably fit around your wrist, giving an extra few inches to attach it.
Taking the black embroidery floss and needle, sew the ends of the elastic together, overlapping the ends so that you can stitch around all four edges. This will make it strong.
Stick the needle through the under side of the elastic band and up through one of your button’s holes, then through another button hole and back down through the elastic. Repeat.
Under and overlap your buttons. This way the band will be tighter and the elastic beneath will not show through. I also suggest using all of the button holes, to strengthen the hold.
Whenever you run out of embroidery floss knot it off tightly, under the elastic. Try to use longer pieces of floss to avoid too many knots and pay attention so that you don’t get your floss caught on other buttons.
There are so many unique bands you can make. You can layer tiny buttons in bigger buttons, attaching funny or silly buttons and even add unique beads or charms to your button band.
Have fun!
