Sewing tips: sewing buttons and bows for children

Here is a novel idea on how to sew and create your own decorative buttons and bows on children’s clothing.

Sewing for children is so much fun. It’s also a great way to try new sewing ideas and techniques. If you don’t have a special child to sew for, then sew things for children and give them to charity. It is still a gift of love and children really appreciate something made just for them.

Try buttons and bows for children. It’s really cute and kids love it!

Bows are very popular on children’s clothing, but they don’t hold up well. So, here’s how to sew some easy detachable ties.

This idea turned into a lovely sewing project that also involved the kids. Children have great imaginations and lots of really good creative ideas about what they want to wear.

These buttons are called Velcro Button Bows/Flowers/Appliques. Kids call them “Stick-em Buttons”. They think these buttons are really “cool”. They love to change the “tops” of the buttons.

Here’s how to sew “Stick-em Buttons”.

Sew buttons on the shoulders of jumpers or jumpsuits, on pockets or randomly on jeans, T-shirts, skirts or other garments. Buttons can be functional or purely decorative.

Use those old buttons on your keypad. Paint the edge of the button with nail polish or craft paints if you like. Large, flat buttons are perfect for this sewing project. Buttons about 7/8 inch or larger work fine.

First, sew a button to the garment. Use double thread. Roll it through beeswax and press down to melt the wax into the thread. This strengthens the thread and prevents it from tangling.

After sewing on a button, apply a dab of clear nail polish or Fray Check to the button threads to keep them secure.

Prepare the Velcro

With a coin, draw a circle the size of the button on a Velcro or use adhesive Velcro circles. If the button has a border, draw the circle of Velcro so that it fits inside the border of the button.

Glue the smooth side of a loop of Velcro to the top of the button you sewed onto the garment.

Next sew on some bows, flower ribbons or small appliques or use pom poms etc. For children, use small appliques of their animals, cars, toys, etc. favourites.

Fuse, glue or sew the rough hook side of a Velcro circle to the bottom of the bow/flower/appliqué etc.

Button the button and glue the bow, etc. to the top of the button.

Make several different types of bows in different colors or whatever you like to have a selection of things to attach to your “Stick-em Buttons.”

Remove ties to wash garment. The soft loop side of the velcro won’t stick to everything else in the wash.

Children will have fun with their “Stick-em Buttons!”

It just makes sense!