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Blog – sewing tips and haberdashery guides

Practical guides to buttons, zippers, elastics, labels, ribbons and all sewing accessories – sizes, types and how to attach them.

Replace Plastic Buttons With Horn or Corozo: The Cheap Upgrade for a Luxury Look Replace Plastic Buttons With Horn or Corozo: The Cheap Upgrade for a Luxury Look If you want to replace plastic buttons with horn, corozo or shell, you are onto one of the cheapest ways to make... Read more → Can You Wash Wooden Buttons? A Care Guide for Every Natural Button Material Can You Wash Wooden Buttons? A Care Guide for Every Natural Button Material Can you wash wooden buttons? Yes, you can, as long as you avoid the four things that really damage natural materials: long... Read more → Shank Buttons: What They Are, Types and When to Use Them Shank Buttons: What They Are, Types and When to Use Them Shank buttons have a small loop or projection on the back that you sew through, instead of holes through the face. Read more → How to Clean and Polish Brass Blazer Buttons How to Clean and Polish Brass Blazer Buttons Knowing how to clean brass buttons is a small ritual that brings the shine back to a navy blazer, a uniform or... Read more → How to Remove Rust Stains Left by Buttons and Snaps on Clothes How to Remove Rust Stains Left by Buttons and Snaps on Clothes If you need to remove a rust stain from clothes, chances are it sits right around a jeans button, a jacket snap... Read more → Why Metal Buttons Rust or Tarnish, and How to Prevent It Why Metal Buttons Rust or Tarnish, and How to Prevent It Metal buttons rusting is one of the most frustrating faults on clothing: a reddish stain around a jacket snap, a darkened rivet... Read more → EU REACH Nickel Limit for Garment Hardware (0.5 µg/cm²/week) Explained EU REACH Nickel Limit for Garment Hardware (0.5 µg/cm²/week) Explained The REACH nickel release limit is one of the few chemical rules that hits every brand selling clothing in the EU directly:... Read more → Nickel Allergy from Jeans Buttons: Symptoms and Fixes Nickel Allergy from Jeans Buttons: Symptoms and Fixes A jeans button nickel allergy is so common that dermatologists recognise it at a glance: an itchy red patch right below the... Read more → Nickel-Free Buttons and Snaps: What It Really Means Nickel-Free Buttons and Snaps: What It Really Means Nickel free buttons are in growing demand from childrenswear, denim and lingerie brands, but the "nickel free" label doesn't always mean the... Read more → Metal Hardware Finishes Explained: Nickel, Gold, Antique Brass, Gunmetal and More Metal Hardware Finishes Explained: Nickel, Gold, Antique Brass, Gunmetal and More Metal button finishes can change the character of a garment more than the button shape itself: the same blazer reads sporty in... Read more → How Metal Buttons Are Made: Die Casting, Stamping and Plating How Metal Buttons Are Made: Die Casting, Stamping and Plating How are metal buttons made? Through a chain of precise steps, where every decision, from the design of the mould to the... Read more → How to choose metal accessories for your collection: eyelets, snap buttons and cord ends How to choose metal accessories for your collection: eyelets, snap buttons and cord ends How do you choose metal accessories for a collection so that they look right and survive washing, wear and thousands of openings... Read more → Zinc Alloy vs Brass Buttons: Which Metal Should You Choose? Zinc Alloy vs Brass Buttons: Which Metal Should You Choose? Zinc alloy vs brass buttons is the first real decision any designer faces when specifying metal buttons for a blazer, coat, pair... Read more → Button Trends 2026: The Materials, Colours and Shapes to Know Button Trends 2026: The Materials, Colours and Shapes to Know Button trends in 2026 make one thing clear: the button is no longer a hidden functional detail but an accent that sets... Read more → Buttons for Knitwear and Cardigans: How to Choose Material and Size Buttons for Knitwear and Cardigans: How to Choose Material and Size Choosing buttons for knitwear and cardigans follows different rules from choosing them for woven garments. Read more → Matching Buttons to Fabric Weight: A Tailor's Practical Guide Matching Buttons to Fabric Weight: A Tailor's Practical Guide Matching buttons to fabric weight is one of those tailoring principles that sounds obvious yet gets ignored constantly. Read more → Buttonhole Size for Your Button: Formula, mm Chart and Test Buttonhole Size for Your Button: Formula, mm Chart and Test Getting the buttonhole size right for your button is the difference between a fastening that closes in one movement and one that... Read more → How Many Buttons per Garment? Gross Packs, Sizes and Spares How Many Buttons per Garment? Gross Packs, Sizes and Spares How many buttons per garment do you actually need? It sounds trivial until you're ordering for 80 shirts in three button sizes... Read more → Are Buttons Safe for Baby Clothes? Safety Rules and Best Choices Are Buttons Safe for Baby Clothes? Safety Rules and Best Choices Are buttons safe for baby clothes? They can be, but they're one of the most serious safety questions in childrenswear. Read more → Vegan Buttons: Which Button Materials Are Vegan and Which Aren't Vegan Buttons: Which Button Materials Are Vegan and Which Aren't Vegan buttons are an easy detail to overlook. Read more → Eco Friendly Buttons: Comparing the Most Sustainable Materials Eco Friendly Buttons: Comparing the Most Sustainable Materials Eco friendly buttons are no longer a niche request; they're an expectation. Read more → Custom Logo Buttons: MOQ, Lead Times and Samples Explained Custom Logo Buttons: MOQ, Lead Times and Samples Explained Custom logo buttons are a detail customers notice straight away, and one that separates a brand from an anonymous garment. Read more → Laser Engraved Logo Buttons: Wood, Corozo and Coconut Compared Laser Engraved Logo Buttons: Wood, Corozo and Coconut Compared Laser engraved logo buttons are one of the most affordable ways for a small label to look finished and considered. Read more → Corozo vs Horn Buttons: Which Is Better for Jackets and Coats? Corozo vs Horn Buttons: Which Is Better for Jackets and Coats? Corozo vs horn buttons is the classic dilemma when making a jacket, suit or coat. Read more →