How to Make Picture Buttons
Picture buttons add a personal touch to any garment. These distinctive buttons are simple to make from your favorite images or family photographs. Whether you resize and print the required miniature pictures yourself or have them professionally printed, the images stand out behind a clear glass frame down the front of a shirt, as a pocket closure or as an embellishment for craft projects. Create interchangeable picture buttons by using metal buttons and adding magnets to the backs of the photos.
Things You'll Need
- Photos
- Photo resizing software
- Printer
- Paper
- Glass for photo charms
- Copper/brass/aluminum craft foil
- Sharp scissors
- Decoupage glue
- Paint sponge
- Viscous jewelers glue
- Buttons
Instructions
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1
Select a glass photo tile to fit over the buttons you plan to cover. Clear glass photo tiles are available in a variety of thicknesses from craft stores and online photo charm retailers. Selections include round, square or rectangular tiles in a variety of shapes and sizes. The glass should fit over the button.
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2
Re-size and print your choice of pictures using a picture resizing program that's compatible with your computer. Resizing software may already be included with your operating system. If not, it is available for free and for a fee from online sources. Alternatively, take your photos to a print shop and order miniature prints. The size of the pictures will vary based on the size of the selected glass tiles.
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3
Roll out a section of craft foil. Trace the outline of the glass tile onto the foil. Cut out the shape of the tile from the foil with sharp scissors or tin snips. Repeat this step for each button you plan to cover.
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4
Spread a small amount of decoupage glue onto the back side of the glass tile. The back side is often textured for better adhesion. Press the front of the photo into the decoupage glue. Then smooth more decoupage glue over the back side of the photo.
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Press the foil cutout into the decoupage glue spread over the back of the photo. Make sure that the edges are flush. Allow the glue to dry completely.
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Glue the back of the photo onto the front of a shank style or hole style button with viscous jeweler's glue. The picture should cover the button. Allow the glue to dry completely. Buttons with holes should already be sewn in place onto the desired garment. It's also easier to sew shank style buttons onto a garment or accessory before you glue on the picture.
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Tips & Warnings
You can also secure the photo inside a photo charm, complete with a metal backing, before gluing it to the button. Most photo charms have bails or side openings in order to add the charm to jewelry. Cut the ball to remove it from the charm prior to creating the photo charm. The thicker metal backing will better protect the photo than the thin foil, but the side openings and notch from the removed bail may impact your design.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit buttons image by leafy from Fotolia.com
