How to Apply No-Sew Snaps to Clothing

No-sew snaps are sturdy, strong snaps that can be used in place of buttons. These snaps are hammered or set into the fabric with a purchased tool.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Sewing Patterns
• Snap Tapes
• Fabric-marking Pens
• Fabrics
• Scissors
• Hammers
• Rulers

1. Choose from a variety of no-sew snaps. Some have colorful and decorative caps or rings that will show on the outside of the garment.
2. Refer to your sewing pattern for instructions on choosing an appropriately sized no-sew snap.
3. Make sure the snap is in proportion to the garment being sewn and that it matches the fabric.
4. Make sure you have the appropriate snap-setting tool on hand. Most snap manufacturers offer a setting tool made especially for their snaps. Some snaps are pounded in with a hammer, and others are pressed into place with a tool that resembles a pair of pliers.
5. Purchase extra snaps and practice applying them to a piece of scrap fabric before you apply snaps to your garment.
6. Mark the placement of the snaps on the overlapping piece of fabric. Be sure that the marks are set an appropriate distance from the fabric edge and from one another. Use your sewing pattern instructions as a guide, if applicable.
7. Apply the ball, or stud, portion of the snap to the overlapping edge first. Rub tailor's chalk along the ball of the snap and overlap the edges of the garment as if it were snapped closed.
8. Firmly press down on the ball, so that a chalk mark is transferred to the underlying layer of fabric. This mark indicates the placement of the socket portion of the snap.
9. Center the socket portion of the snap over the chalk mark and apply the socket to the garment.

Tips & Warnings

• Use only one brand of no-sew snaps at a time. The snap parts may look similar, but there is no guarantee that different brand will work together.
• Use any marking guidelines given in your sewing pattern.