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    Home » Repurposed Furniture » Button Tufting 101 {3 easy steps}

    Button Tufting 101 {3 easy steps}

    Published by Gail | Published September 17, 2019 | Updated July 10, 2021
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Button tufting 101 in three easy steps shows you that you don't have to drill holes in your tufted seat-but use a staple gun and screws instead. #MyRepurposedLife #repurposed #furniture #button #tufting #easy #diy via @repurposedlife

    Button tufting 101 in three easy steps

    Please share this on Pinterest with your friends!

    Do you remember this corner bench I built from a headboard?

    Easy Button Tufting using Screws

    What I hadn’t showed you was that I attempted to upholster it with a button tufting technique, but I left too much overhang on the seat in the front. (wood seat)  I had to remove all of the staples and foam and start over. After I trimmed the wooden triangle seat on the table saw, then put all the foam, batting and fabric back together.

    I decided I wanted to so some button tufting on it. This tutorial using screws  project was featured on Catch as Catch Can. My friend Stephanie has her own way of cheating using staples.

    I decided to combine the two techniques.

    Mark button areas and shoot a staple

    It seemed easiest to make little marks where I wanted my buttons to go, then I shot a small staple through all the layers into the wooden seat.

    Add a washer and small screw for easy button tufting

    I started a screw (with a washer) right next to the staple. Stapling it first totally eliminated any snagging while I was securing the screw and washer. This picture shows the partially secured screw, I of course finished drilling it in after this picture.

    Apply button cover to area with a glue gun

    You can see the tight hold the screw and washer make. I made a puddle of hot glue where the screw is, and pushed the button down into the puddle. I did have to hold it for quite a while. If you use this technique, be careful, the button gets very hot.

    Covering buttons with drop cloth material

    Now about the buttons…have you ever covered your own buttons? I have a couple of times, but I didn’t have this kit before. OMG, it was so easy this time.

    These are the type of buttons I used, and I LOVE how easy it was to cover them. Cut the fabric via the pattern from the package, place the fabric in the white mold, insert the top of the button, fold the fabric over into the circle, place the other part of the button on top, and use the blue pusher to make it all come together. Removing the shank seemed the best way to do this. When in fact I realized that it was best to leave in in tact.

    Voila! I LOVE how it looks with the upholstered, button-tufted seat.

    Button tufted corner bench made from a headboard

    Now you know the absolute EASIEST way to cheat on  button tufting. No holes drilled, no long needles, with all that string tied and stapled on the underneath side. Easy Peasy Button Tufting in 3 simple steps.

    While the bench was stored in the garage, I decided to make a couple of no-sew pillows for it. But after making one pillow and trying it out, I think it really is too large.

    I really hope you try this technique, it is so easy. Or, maybe you already have tried, one or both of these cheat options? Do tell!

    Be sure to check out my Easy Coffee Table Bench with Button Tufting Project

    gail

    If you love this headboard bench, see my favorite Mission Style Bed Bench with Storage

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    1. eyeloveknots

      September 19, 2019 at 7:01 pm

      Very clever, and super useful! Pinned.

      Alexandra
      EyeLoveKnots.com

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 22, 2019 at 7:49 pm

        Ohhh, I so appreciate you pinning this idea Alexandra!!!

        I hope you find it helpful when you try it.

        gail

    2. Christina Woodcock

      September 18, 2019 at 5:01 pm

      I have always been afraid to try button tufting, but this seems easy! Your bench is beautiful!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 22, 2019 at 7:50 pm

        Thanks Christina!
        I've used this technique several times and it's sooo much easier than threading!

        gail

    3. Jennie

      September 26, 2017 at 9:55 am

      This may be easier than what I do. I put the screw through the button back, screw it down, then snap the top of the button down. I do put glue in the top to hold the fabric down so it snaps down easily.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 26, 2017 at 3:33 pm

        hmmm, Jennie-that's a good idea to do a cheat method on upholstery. Thanks for sharing that with us!
        gail

    4. Natasha

      August 04, 2017 at 2:31 am

      Great finish! I'm thinking of doing some metal chairs for my breakfast nook area any suggestions on covering an egg crate mattress ? Not sure how well buttons would hold.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        August 04, 2017 at 9:30 pm

        Natasha,

        I think the buttons would hold okay, if the wood is thick enough to securely fasten the screws. I would make sure you turn the egg crate upside down. 😉

        gail

    5. Amanda

      July 15, 2017 at 3:42 pm

      Do you think this would work on a sofa?

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        July 17, 2017 at 5:04 pm

        Amanda,
        I'm not sure if this is durable enough for a sofa that may get a lot of lounging (wallering) 🙂

        gail

    6. Angie

      May 07, 2017 at 6:57 am

      You are amazing. I'm teaching myself upholstery and I get in a Right mess with long needles and string so u have just solved a huge issue and my fingers lol.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        May 07, 2017 at 8:50 am

        Yippee! So happy you found this tutorial Angie. I love to share tips to help out new friends.
        Thank you for taking the time to let me know you found this helpful. 🙂
        gail

    7. Patti. Cardona

      August 26, 2014 at 11:38 am

      Miss Gail,
      You my friend are my hero!

      Reply
    8. Stephanie@cre8tive

      January 22, 2014 at 2:31 pm

      Oh I love how it turned out Gail! I use that button kit all the time, makes it so much easier. But sometimes when you have a lot of them to do, your thumb gets sore pushing the two together, especially if your are doing a lot of them!

      Reply
    9. Mindi

      January 22, 2014 at 12:38 pm

      Love love it! I am all about easy! I had seen the screw with the washer technique, but I like how you used both! I looks so good with the tufts! Pinned!

      Reply
    10. alekacraftaholic

      January 22, 2014 at 11:52 am

      clever and easy,i'm trying this

      Reply
    11. Laurel Stephens

      January 22, 2014 at 11:45 am

      I think your cushion competes your bench to perfection. Great tutorial!

      Reply
    12. Diane

      January 22, 2014 at 11:42 am

      Great option. I tufted a 6' X 6' headboard for my king size bed. I drilled holes etc. It turned out nice but this would have been easier. It hung on the wall. Now in my new smaller place it sits on the floor behind the bed and is still large enough in proportion.

      Reply
    13. Sondra

      January 22, 2014 at 11:35 am

      Oh my goodness Gail you read my mind!!! I have a bench I'm working on right now and I wanted to do a tufted cushion. Looks super easy. Thank you!

      Reply
    14. Cassandra

      January 22, 2014 at 11:00 am

      Cool trick! I want to make a tufted headboard and I'll have to try this!

      Reply
    15. Michele @ The Scrap Shoppe

      January 22, 2014 at 10:04 am

      This is great, Gail!! I love tufting, but diying it has always put me off. Too hard. I love this method!

      Reply
    16. Korrie@RedHenHome

      January 22, 2014 at 10:02 am

      This turned out so cute, Gail! Love that tufted cushion.

      Reply
    17. wendy

      January 22, 2014 at 9:36 am

      it looks fabulous!!! I am definitely going to try it, just to see if I can do it. If I can, anyone can!!

      Reply
    18. Bliss

      January 22, 2014 at 8:21 am

      Pinning this in case I'm ever temporarily insane and want to attempt to sew or something similar, that needs tufting.

      Reply
    19. Holly

      January 22, 2014 at 8:02 am

      I've cheated with the staple, but the screw and washer. I will definitely have to try that sometime. And it looks really great on that bench!

      Reply
    20. Lauren witheridge

      January 22, 2014 at 7:04 am

      Love this idea! Mind if I share on my blog or in the upholstery class that I teach??! Great idea!

      Reply

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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