Buttons

How to Find the Right Buttons for Your Project

Sometimes, when you are excited about a project, you forget all the tiny details that you normally would have thought through and planned out. Buttons are one topic that a lot of people forget about when sewing.

Buttons are often overlooked, yet they play a pivotal role both in functionality and aesthetics. Choosing the right buttons can transform a project from ordinary to extraordinary, ensuring it looks fantastic and flawlessly fulfills its purpose. Whether you're sewing for practicality or for personal expression, giving buttons the attention they deserve can make a big difference.

What Fabric Are You Working With?

Fabrics are extremely important to keep in mind when choosing your buttons. There are different weights to consider when designing. If you have a heavy button on a lighter fabric, you could sabotage your final product by allowing the button to tear the fabric over time. You must also have the correct size buttons for garments such as thick coats. A small button would easily rip because of the density of the fabric. It also could be hidden by the fabric and take away from the look you were going for.

What Kinds of Buttons Do You Need?

Flat Buttons

There are two types of flat buttons: two-hole buttons and four-hole buttons. Two-hole buttons are perfect for your light and medium-weight fabrics. They are usually aligned with the edge of the fabric. Four-hole buttons are typically used for heavier fabrics, and the extra holes support the thread.

Shank Buttons

These buttons have holes or loops in the back that are used to attach the button to your fabric. If you are working with a heavier fabric, like a winter coat, you will want a shank button with a larger loop. These are also great for helping garments hang or drape better.

Mandarin Buttons

Also known as frogs, these buttons are great when you don’t want to stitch a buttonhole. The two “buttons” are typically made of strong metal or plastic and have a knot on one side and a loop on the other.

Fabric Buttons

Fabric buttons add a touch of class and style to a project. In the garment industry, fabric buttons are sometimes known as “self-covered” buttons because they are usually covered in the same fabric as the rest of the garment.

Upholstery Buttons

Fabric buttons are also frequently used in upholstery. Because they are under a lot of pressure, professionals usually make upholstery buttons using a button press machine with cutters and dies.

Plastic Buttons

GoldStar Tool carries a wide range of plastic buttons, which you can purchase as sets, by color family, or in packs of mixed buttons. Use plastic buttons for clothing, scrapbooking, and various other crafting projects.

Metal Buttons

Buttons are made from many different types of metal, including brass, stainless steel, and zinc alloys. Metal buttons can be flat with 2 to 4 holes or shank buttons that are embossed, printed, or textured.

Plastic Snap Buttons

Plastic snap buttons are a type of fastener you can use instead of traditional buttons. They are easier to install and available in over 40 colors. GoldStar Tool carries a wide range of sizes, from standard 12 mm to extra large 20 mm snap buttons.

GoldStar Tool Button Supplies

With a vast and diverse selection of buttons, GoldStar Tool is your one-stop shop for all your sewing project needs. Spend less time sifting through multiple sources for the right buttons, and allow us to assist you in finding the perfect match. Our customer service team is dedicated to ensuring customer satisfaction and is available to address any questions regarding our products. It doesn't matter if you're an experienced sewer or new to the craft; we are eager to provide expert guidance and support so that your creative journey is seamless and enjoyable. With our help, you can turn your sewing projects into masterpieces adorned with the perfect buttons.

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What Are Sewing Scissors Used For?

Fabric-specific scissors and shears are used for one thing: cutting fabric.

They should cut smoothly and cleanly and feel comfortable when you use them. You should always use the appropriate type of scissors and shears for your fabric if you want them to last and you want your fabric to cut cleanly.

Using your sewing scissors to cut anything but fabric is a quick way to ruin a good, and possibly expensive, pair of scissors. Keep them sheathed or otherwise properly stored when not in use and always use a different pair of scissors for paper and other non-fabric cutting applications.

Choosing the Right Scissors for Your Fabric

Different types of scissors have specific functions, such as spring-mounted thread clippers, which are perfect for opening buttonholes and snipping off thread ends in everyday sewing. Dressmaker shears are designed to cut just about any type of fabric, from fine silks and cotton to the heaviest denim and leather.  Synthetics tend to shred a little with dressmaker shears and standard fabric scissors, so serrated-edged scissors are a much better choice. These Mundial shears have cushioned handles and micro-serrated stainless steel edges that ensure clean cuts without slipping.

What to Look for In A Pair of Scissors or Shears + -

Of course, you want to look for a good quality brand. At Goldstar Tool, we carry brands like Mundial, Wescott, Wiss, and our own Goldstar brand of scissors. Scissors can be expensive, but price isn’t always a good indicator of how good they are. Just because they are pricey does not automatically make them good. Stainless steel forged blades are strong, sharp, and will last a long time. When choosing a good pair of blades, you should ask yourself… Are they comfortable? If they don’t feel right when you’re cutting, they’re not right for you. A good pair of shears should be sharp and cut cleanly through your fabric from the start to the end. Of course, with use, they may need sharpening, which should restore them to a like-new condition. However, if they don’t cut well when they’re new, sharpening really won’t help, and it may be time to invest in a better pair. When you buy new shears or scissors, ask yourself… Is it the right type for your needs? Do you need a longer set of dressmaker shears, or would a pair of offset scissors work better? Will they cut thin fabrics as well as thicker fabrics, or do you need a separate pair for heavier materials? Remember that a good pair of scissors is an investment, so put some thought into your choice and be sure to take care of them. Repeatedly buying inexpensive scissors that you throw away can add up to a costly expense. 

Types of Shears + -

Dressmaker shears are the most important scissors to have. Heavier than traditional scissors, they’re designed to cut fabrics of all types and typically do so very well. These Mundial shears are engineered for right-handed or left-handed users, and come in 6”, 7” and 8” models (including left-handed 8”.) Our Goldstar brand 8-inch forged stainless steel shears cut the entire length of the blade, all the way to the tip. If you prefer pinking shears, we have two types from the GoldStar line. Our heavy-duty shears have classic metal handles, and the other has cushioned plastic handles. For the quilter, Mundial professional quilting scissors in either 5 ½,” 8 ½, or 9 ½” offer soft grip cushioned insert handles for comfort and extended use.  Do you enjoy applique work? Our Mundial applique scissors help you make quick work of trimming around appliques, as well as evenly trimming Are buttonholes your nemesis? Our exclusive buttonhole scissors have a screw that stops you from cutting through your carefully made buttonholes. Safer than regular scissors or a scalpel, the screw limits your cutting length, so you cut exactly the length you need.

Other Cutting Products + -

Keep your scissors handy with a leather belt/hip holster, animal print belt holster or a lanyard that hangs around your neck. These will keep your shears handy and always available. Rotary cutters are a great way to do precise, fast cuts with ease. Goldstar Tool’s rotary cutters make fast work of whatever you need to cut. We also carry the replacement blades for all of our rotary cutting tools. Straight paper cutting is fast and easy with Westcott Titanium Bonded Paper Trimmer. It trims up to ten sheets of paper quickly with a completely safe, no-touch covered blade assembly.

Caring for Your Shears and Scissors

Caring for Your Shears and Scissors

Keeping Your Shears and Scissors in Tip Top Shape + -

The first thing you should NEVER do is cut anything but fabric with your scissors and shears intended for fabrics. The second is to never cut into a pin or needle since it will damage them permanently. When you’re finished using your shears, the best thing you can do is wipe the blades with a dry cloth to remove lint, threads, dust, and other small particles that can make them harder to use. Synthetic fibers can also dull the blades. Clean away the dry particles after every use. Keep your shears and scissors working smoothly with a small drop of quality sewing machine oil in the fulcrum or the pivot screw. Carefully open and close them a few times (point down) to distribute the oil, and wipe them, spreading some of the remnant oil over the blades. You want to oil your scissors and shears about once a month, more if you use them daily.  Of course, be careful not to drop them, or they could be damaged to the point of being unworkable.

Sharpening Your Shears and Scissors + -

When they just don’t cut like they used to, sharpening is a must to prevent damage to your fabrics. You may have heard that cutting through aluminum foil steel wool and/or sandpaper as a way to quickly sharpen your dulled scissors. Despite their popularity, we don’t recommend these methods. Think about it—if you shouldn’t use your sewing shears and scissors for paper and other things, or attempt to cut through a pin or needle, why would you use either of these to sharpen a blade? There are better ways to sharpen your shears at home or in your commercial shop. Need something small and efficient to keep around? These handy Scissors And Blade Sharpeners are economical, convenient, and sharpen on the fly. Our ExtremEdge V2 Knife and Shear Sharpener is a fast, easy way to sharpen non-serrated scissors and knives safely. The bottom section holds it in place for simple one-handed operation, and it’s sold for a reasonable price. If you have more than a few pairs of scissors, sending them out for sharpening can shut down operations. Our Wolff Industrial Twice as Sharp Scissor Sharpening System is an investment that will save you and your workers time and money, and keep your scissor arsenal sharp and cutting perfectly every time. Priced at under $500, you can sharpen your tools in-house whenever you need to. Plus, it comes with instructions so that anyone can learn to use it for fast on-demand sharpening.  Pinking shears, like our own soft-handled or heavy-duty shears, are best sharpened by a professional. There’s no reason to keep working with dull scissors and shears. Get one of our exclusive sharpening tools today.