Rivets & Jean Buttons

What Are Rivets?

These little metal fasteners consist of two parts: the head, (the decorative top part of the rivet) and the nail (the smaller part that holds it on through the back of the fabric). These two-part fasteners are generally permanent and can be made from a wide variety of materials, including metal. Some rivets are decorative, while other rivets are more functional.

When to Use Rivets

Rivets can be used where a sewing machine can’t completely reinforce with stitching, and secure layers of fabric together permanently. Use them where you have an extra thickness, or when you need to attach two or more widths of fabric. 

What Types of Projects Are Rivets Suitable For?

Use rivets for projects where you want to tack pieces of fabric together, such as:

  • Leather straps on bags, belts, purses, key fobs, and other items
  • Shoes
  • Attaching nylon or cotton strapping to projects
  • Heavy clothing (i.e., jeans, jean jackets, other thick garments)
  • Canvas items
  • Upholstery

Of course, rivets can also be decorative as well as functional. Pearl, stud, and rhinestone rivets can be used to add sparkle to costumes, dresses, shirts, shoes, and other garments where a little extra “bling” is required. Purses, briefcases and other bags can be “upgraded” with the addition of different shaped metal rivets, such as the ones in our collection. You can decorate other textile projects such as throw pillows, curtains, and other crafts with unique designs using rivets.

More plain rivets that look like studs are useful for more utilitarian projects such as sails, awnings, painted canvas signs, shop aprons, and furniture covers.

Choosing the Right Rivets for Your Project

Since rivets come in so many different styles and colors, it might be a little overwhelming to find the right one. 

Measure the thickness of the fabric you want to attach and connect. The bolt core, or shaft of the rivet, should be slightly longer than the total fabric thickness. If the rivet is too short, the bolt core and the cap won’t attach. If the bolt core is too long, you’ll have a gap in the fabric, and the material can eventually start to fray.

Types of Rivets to Choose From

We offer a variety of different styles of rivets, including:

  • Prong Rivets, in a wide range of styles including:
    • Rhinestone Rivets in clear and colored “gemstones,” as well as hematite, black, amber, crystals, pearl studs and even spikes
    • Acrylic stone rivets, in several colors
  • Metal rivets in a wide range of shapes, designs, and metals
  • “Mushroom Dome,” a modified round top rivet
  • Sam Browne Button & Screw, for non-permanent application (scroll down the page for video) 
  • Tubular Rivets, used for heavy-duty applications like webbing and leather products (scroll down the page for video)
  • Cap rivets are more elegant with rounded caps on both sides and often look like post earrings. They’re applied in the same fashion as other rivets and attach two pieces of fabric, such as leather, with a rounded, smooth finish. Cap rivets are great for both utility (such as purse or bag straps) and decoration (hats, bags, and other heavy-duty items.)
  • Jeans Rivets (see below)

Goldstar Tool’s large inventory of rivets ensures that you’ll have the right kind of rivet for your project.

Note each of these individual rivets requires a specific die to set, whether you’re using a hammer and a hand tool for a few, or you’re using one of our heavy-duty press machines to set a large number of them.

Jeans Buttons and Rivets

Let’s face it—jeans need a heavier button than a standard pair of slacks or a skirt. Regular buttons can’t stand up to standard metal buttons, and jeans just don’t look the same with anything else.

Jeans buttons are essentially two-piece rivets, heavier than flat or shank metal buttons, and they hold the waistband together snugly. They’re installed the same way as other rivets, with a nail on the inside of the fabric and the top on the outside. These rivets are used to hold the waistband with a buttonhole.

Our jean buttons come in several different styles and finishes:

  • Plain face, with a smooth cover
  • Round (looks like a snap)
  • Donut Tack, a popular designer model with a hole in the middle
  • Traditional Oak Design
  • Star Design, with 8 five-pointed stars around the center
  • Text design, “High-Quality Guaranteed”

Our jean rivets are great for both embellishment and reinforcing seams. Also called “nipple buttons,” these rivets are traditionally used on the front pocket seams, which are more likely to be pulled or strained from regular use. Riveting these seams down will help the jeans last longer and give it a more polished look. You can also add our jean rivets anywhere to add extra strength to a seam, or just for decoration.

Installing Rivets

Rivets of all kinds consist of two parts and have a straightforward installation. The process is simple:

  • Punch an appropriately sized hole in the fabric (not too big, the nail needs to fit tightly)
  • Insert the corresponding rivet nail from the inside of the fabric, all the way to the outside
  • Place the nail and fabric on the rivet die
  • Place the rivet button (while in the fabric) on top of the nail, and apply:

You must make sure that you know exactly where you want the rivet to sit. Since rivets are designed to be permanent, rivets are nearly impossible to remove without damage.

The die is the bottom part that holds the nail when you install the rivet and corresponds to the size of the nail, not the actual button part. It must penetrate the entire thickness of the fabric.

Note that you will need an individual die for each size rivet nail you are using, whether you are installing the rivet by hand, using a manual press, or an automatic machine. Goldstar Tool carries thousands of different dies for each size of rivet, eyelet, and grommet. We also carry hole-cutting dies, which work with all of our hand tools, manual presses, and automatic presses. 

Goldstar Tool for All Your Rivet Needs

With a variety of functional and decorative rivets, Goldstar Tool has everything you need for a current project or your company’s newest designs.

You can order all your rivets directly from our website. If you have questions or need something specific, call us at 1.800.868.4419 or email us at sales@goldstartool.com. 

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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.