How to Make Wood Buttons From Tree Branches

If you have a tree that needs to be pruned, or if mother nature has done it for you and you have a yard full of branches, salvage a couple of them and make some handcrafted wooden buttons. Use them on your next sewing or knitting project, or replace some old buttons with your own wooden buttons. No two will be exactly alike.

Things You'll Need

• Branch
• Electric drill with very small bit
• Hand saw or electric jig saw
• Fine sandpaper
• File or wood burner (optional)
• Stain (optional)
• Polyurethane lacquer

Instructions

1. Find a smooth branch about an inch in diameter.

2. Protect the branch with a piece of cardboard and put it in a vice.

3. Drill two holes into the center of each branch.

4. Use the hand saw or the electric jig saw to cut buttons of the desired width from the branch.

5. Sand the wooden buttons smoothly with very fine sandpaper.

6. Decorate the buttons with a file or a wood burner, if desired.

7. Stain the buttons if desired. Spray them with polyurethane lacquer and allow them to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Make one set of 6 to 8 wooden buttons from each branch so they'll be somewhat uniform. Put the buttons in a small plastic bag to keep them together.

• For a slightly different appearance, cut the wooden buttons at a 45-degree angle.

• If you prefer not to stain or lacquer the wooden buttons, they can be waxed and buffed to a shine. They can also be painted.