How to Choose Buttons Spring Skirts

Buttons serve both a decorative and a practical purpose on clothing. They can completely change the appearance of a garment such as a skirt. With the simple addition of the right button, a skirt can be dressed up or down for most occasions, making buttons an easy and convenient solution when you want to quickly update your wardrobe for the next season. You can transition your winter skirts into spring when you choose the right buttons.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric swatch
• Craft knife

Pick the Right Color

1. Coordinate the color of your buttons to the fabric of your spring pencil skirt to achieve a polished and professional look. You can add a subtle edge to your professional wardrobe by attaching color-coordinated buttons down the side seam or center back kick pleat.

2. Create contrast by selecting a button in a complementary color to the fabric of your skirt this spring. For example, a pink circle skirt can be accessorized with lime or light mint green buttons.

3. Choose clear, flat buttons for interior buttonholes on skirts. These will minimize the bulk of interior button closures at the waistline, creating a seamless finish to your skirt.

4. Create a fabric-covered button for a customized look. Even if you don't have extra fabric from your skirt, you can choose a color-coordinating fabric to cover your button.

5. Shop for antique painted buttons to lend a vintage look to your spring skirt. Though these little pieces of history may cost a bit more, owning them will be like wearing a small piece of art.

Select the Appropriate Size

6. Select a button that fits the existing buttonhole size on your skirt if you plan on using it as a functioning closure without making any alterations to the garment.

7. Enlarge the size of your existing buttonhole by using a craft knife to extend it slightly to the left or right.

8. Use matching thread to encase the newly exposed fabric in your enlarged buttonhole. By sewing a whipstitch or buttonhole stitch, you can keep the fabric and interfacing from fraying.

9. Reduce the size of your buttonhole for a smaller button by stitching a portion of it closed. You can make the stitching line less visible by catching the threads on either side of your buttonhole instead of attempting to stitch the fabric together.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove decorative buttons before you take your wool or silk skirts to the dry cleaners. Many times, these can be scratched or otherwise damaged during the dry cleaning process.