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When they finally appeared, many people thought they were unnecessary, impractical and even scandalous
We can certainly all agree that the embroidered buttons are so adorable! Give your coats and cardis a crafty update with these colourful buttons, which are quick and easy to make.
The embroidered buttons come in a variety of designs. You’ll find the following to choose from: a banana, a choice of leaves, a lemon, a choice of flowers, watermelon, and a strawberry. The designs are created using vibrant threads, which will brighten up any outfits that are in need of a splash of colour.
This design is suitable for beginners, but uses a wide variety of stitches so it will be a chance to practice some stitches you already know and also learn some new ones you might be less familiar with! If you are new to embroidery or need a little refresh, take a look at our embroidery for beginners guide, which contains everything you need to get started.
The embroidered buttons were designed by Georgie Emery for Love Embroidery issue 9.
Embroidery stitches key for the embroidered buttons
- Satin stitch – how to do satin stitch
- Stem stitch – Stem stitch embroidery
- Backstitch – how to backstitch
- Straight stitch – straight stitch embroidery
- Split stitch – how to do a split stitch
- French knots – how to do a french knot
- Fishbone Stitch – how to do a fishbone stitch
- Seed Stitch – how to do a seed stitch
- Whipped Backstitch
- Brick stitch
- Long and short stitch – Work alternate long and short stitches for the first row – the short stitches should be half the length of the long stitches. Bring the needle up at 1, down at 2, up at 3, down at 4, and so on. Subsequent rows are worked with the stitches all the same length, equal to the long stitches in the first row.
For more help with stitches, head over to our useful embroidery stitches library.
What you need:
- Cotton fabric: 30x30cm, light orange, mint, pale pink and peach
- Stranded cotton: 1 skein each of black, green, dark green, light green, pink, purple, red, dark red, turquoise, bright turquoise, white, yellow and light yellow
- Self-cover buttons: 19mm
- Embroidery hoop: 13cm diameter
- Cover button tool (optional)
- Basic embroidery kit
Free embroidered buttons template
You’ll also need the free embroidered buttons template.
Embroidered buttons step-by-step guide
Step 1
Firstly, mark out three 2cm circles on each piece of your fabrics with a 3cm gap in between. Then, transfer your chosen patterns centrally within each circle using your preferred method. We used a water-erasable marker pen. Next, insert your fabric into your hoop. See Notes for instructions on sizing to stitch individually.
Step 2
Banana embroidered buttons
Work Satin Stitch along the edges in two strands of yellow. Fill the middle section in Satin Stitch using two strands of light yellow. Work Straight Stitches at the ends and in the centre of the banana, using one strand of green.
Step 3
Three-colour leaf embroidered buttons
Work the sections of the leaf in Satin Stitch, alternating between two strands of green and light green as you move from section to section – see the step photo above for colour placement. Work the stem in Backstitch using two strands of dark green.
Step 4
Monstera leaf embroidered buttons
Fill in the leaf shape with Satin Stitch using two strands of dark green. Work your stitches in an outwards direction, starting from the central line of the leaf, to create natural shaping.
Step 5
Lemon embroidered buttons
Working outwards from the centre, fill the circle with Satin Stitches using two strands of white. Then, work outlines of the segments in Split Stitch using two strands of light yellow. The pith of the lemon is filled with Satin Stitch using two strands of light yellow. Finally, the rind is stitched in Satin Stitch using two strands in yellow.
Step 6
Palm leaf embroidered buttons
With two strands of turquoise, fill in the leaves using Satin Stitch. The stem is stitched in the same colour using Whipped Backstitch. Finally, add three or four Straight Stitches to the tips of each leaf using two strands of light yellow.
Step 7
Daisy embroidered buttons
Create the petals of the flower using Straight Stitch in two strands of white. Work outwards from the centre to create shaping. Then, fill the centre with French Knots using two strands of yellow.
Step 8
Watermelon slice embroidered buttons
Begin by filling the centre of the watermelon with Brick Stitch using two strands of dark red. Then, work the outer rind with Satin Stitch using two strands of turquoise and the inner rind using two strands of light green. Lastly, make the pips.
Step 9
Flower embroidered buttons
Stitch the petals in Satin Stitch using two strands of pink. Fill the centre with Satin Stitch in two strands of black. Then, encircle the centre with French Knots using two strands of white.
Step 10
Strawberry embroidered buttons
Using two strands of red, work Long and Short Stitches two-thirds of the way up the strawberry. Then, fill the remainder of the shape with Long and Short Stitch using two strands of dark red. Work the leaves with Satin Stitch using two strands of green. Lastly, make the seeds using Seed Stitch in one strand of light yellow.
Step 11
Purple spine-leaf embroidered buttons
Stitch all the sections of the leaf in Fishbone Stitch using two strands of bright turquoise. Use Backstitch to add the spines and stems over the top using two strands of purple.
Step 12
Making up the embroidered buttons
Once you have finished all the embroidery for your buttons, cut your fabric to the correct size using the assembly guide provided with the self-cover buttons.
Place your embroidered fabric centrally over the face of the button shell and push it into the holder tool. Tuck the rest of the fabric into the rear of the shell. Take the button back and, using the pusher part of the tool, snap it into place. If you don’t have a tool, you can do this by working a row of running stitch around the fabric edge and then placing the button shell onto the back of your stitching.
Gently pull on your thread to gather the fabric at the back and press it into the shell. Then, press the back of the button in place firmly until it clicks into position.
These buttons are great for using up odd amounts of threads and spare scraps of fabric – try mixing up your colour choices.
Fun, colourful details for any project
These embroidered buttons are a simple way to add personality and charm to your clothing or accessories. Once used, they bring a playful, handmade touch that brightens any outfit or sewing project.
More summery embroidery
We hope you’ve had fun sprucing up your wardrobe with these cute embroidered buttons. If you want to take on some similar free summer projects, try our ice cream embroidery, which is comprised of smaller motifs and is easy to stitch!
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