Button Covering
Sometimes you wish your favourite fabric came in a button...
What happens
Bring in your fabric, and we will cover buttons in a variety of styles and sizes. Our usual service takes 24 hours. If the quantity is under 10 pieces, we may be able to make them while you wait or on the same day – check with our staff on the day. See our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
Mail order
Can't make it to the shop? We can organise the service via post. Send us your fabric along with the completed Button Covering Order Form. Check out our range below to button covering styles, including available sizes and shank options, as well as price per button in our pricelists.
About Covered Buttons
Covered Buttons use special moulds to create a custom button using your garment's or furnishing's fabric.
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All Fashion moulds are aluminium top and back with brass shank (where applicable) and WILL NOT rust when immersed in water. Some sizes are available with a linen or plastic shank.
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Upholstery moulds are available in steel top with galvanised steel backs, the strongest mould for this purpose. These moulds WILL rust when immersed in water. Upholstery moulds are also available for marine purposes; the tops are heavier aluminium with heavy duty plastic hook backs. These WILL NOT rust when immersed in water.
Postage & Handling
We send our items by tracked post, or by express post for expedited delivery. Charges start from $10.50. For more information on charges, call us on (02) 9550 1782 or visit AustraliaPost.
We strive to minimise our ecological footprint by re-using our packaging materials.
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Payment can be made over the phone by credit card (Visa/Mastercard/Amex) or EFT transfer.
Our Range
FASHION MOULDS
HR
Half Round profile with Shank
Our most popular Fashion range of covered button, with a slightly domed profile. Aluminium top and bottom with a Brass Shank*. Will NOT rust when immersed in water.
Available sizes: 9mm, 11.5mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 18mm, 20mm, 23mm, 25mm, 28mm, 31mm, 38mm, 44mm
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*Some sizes available Linen or Plastic shank.
HRF
Flat profile with Shank
A popular Fashion range of covered button, with a flat profile for a more retro look. Aluminium top and bottom with a Brass Shank*. WILL NOT rust when immersed in water.
Available sizes: 9mm, 11.5mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 18mm, 20mm, 23mm, 25mm, 28mm, 31mm, 38mm, 44mm
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*Some sizes available Linen or Plastic shank.
HB
Half Ball profile with Shank
A high domed Fashion range of covered buttons, particularly used in bridal wear. Aluminium top and bottom with a Linen Shank*. WILL NOT rust when immersed in water.
Available sizes: 9mm, 11.5mm, 14mm, 20mm
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*Also Metal shank, or Plastic where applicable.
DR
Double Rim with Shank
A more elaborate Fashion covered button that allows a double effect, using the same fabric, or two different. Aluminium top and bottom with a Brass Shank. WILL NOT rust when immersed in water.
Available sizes: 18mm, 23mm, 28mm
MRG or MRS
Metal Ring with Shank in Gold or Silver
A popular Fashion range of covered button with a metal ring, in either Matt Gold or Matt Silver colour. Aluminium top and bottom with a Brass Shank. WILL NOT rust when immersed in water.
Available sizes: 15mm, 18mm, 20mm, 23mm, 25mm, 28mm
F
Flat Sew-Through
A flat profile sew through Fashion range of covered button. Aluminium top and bottom. WILL NOT rust when immersed in water.
Available sizes: 11.5mm, 13mm, 15mm, 18mm, 20mm, 23mm
Q
Square with Shank
A Square Fashion covered button for those who prefer a little geometrics in their life. Aluminium top and bottom with a Brass Shank. WILL NOT rust when immersed in water.
Available sizes: 15mm, 18mm, 23mm, 38mm
QF
Square Faceted with Shank
A Square Faceted Fashion covered button for those who prefer a little geometrics, and a bit of bling, in their life. Aluminium top and bottom with a Brass Shank.
Available sizes: 15mm, 18mm, 23mm, 38mm
UPHOLSTERY MOULDS
P
​Upholstery with Shank
A moderately domed button specifically for Upholstery purposes. Steel top with a galvanised steel back, the strongest for this purpose. WILL rust when immersed in water.
Available sizes: 15mm, 18mm, 23mm, 28mm, 38mm
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Vinyl and Leather covered buttons are made using MP tops and are priced accordingly.
MP
Marine Upholstery with Shank
A moderately domed Upholstery button, specifically for Marine or similar purposes. Heavy Aluminium top with heavy duty Plastic hook shank. WILL NOT rust when immersed in water.
Available sizes: 15mm, 18mm, 23mm, 28mm
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Vinyl and Leather covered buttons are made using MP tops and are priced accordingly.
PN
Upholstery Nail Backs
Same profile and materials as our P Upholstery with Shank, but with a nail back. Suitable for bench backs, bed heads, etc. WILL rust when immersed in water.
Available sizes: 15mm, 18mm
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15mm diameter has an 11mm nail length
18mm diameter has an 18mm nail length
PSP
Upholstery Split-Pin
Same profile as our P Upholstery with Shank, but with a split pin.
Suitable for all upholstery jobs where you can access the back of the structure. WILL rust when immersed in water.
Available sizes: 15mm, 18mm
15mm / 18mm diameter has a 56mm split pin length
BADGE BUTTONS, COMPACT MIRRORS, BOTTLE OPENERS
A badge becomes a fashion brooch, a compact mirror and bottle opener a perfect addition for a night out.
Want creative invitations for your wedding or party? Why not send your details on memorable and handy objects! Print out your details on 80gsm paper (maximum) framed within a 55mm diameter circle (bleed out to 70mm diameter) and we'll do the rest. Lightweight fabrics are also suitable.
Badge Buttons
A round badge with a flat profile. Aluminium top and back with a steel pin. Can be covered with Paper, or Lightweight Fabric, with or without Plastic Foil protector sheet.
Size 55mm
Compact Mirror
A round mirror with a flat profile. Aluminium top and rim with glass mirror. Can be covered with Paper, or Lightweight Fabric, with or without Plastic Foil protector sheet.
Size 55mm
Bottle Opener
A round bottle opener with a flat profile. Aluminium top with galvanised steel back. Can be covered with Paper, or Lightweight Fabric, with or without Plastic Foil protector sheet.
Size 55mm
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What type of shank should I order for my Fashion project?Metal shanks are the strongest, and generally used for most applications, especially when used through a buttonhole or rouleau loop. Linen shanks are often used in decorative situations, for example, over the zipper closing on a formal/bridal gown. Plastic backs (9mm only) can be used in both applications; they have a flat bottom, so while they will not 'wobble' like the metal shanks, they are not as strong. Linen and plastic shanks are not recommended as the only fastening for tight fitting or corset style garments.
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Can I buy the moulds on their own to cover them myself?Our moulds are made for our specific industrial machine which means they unfortunately won't work with your home kit. You can look up the brand of your kit and sourcing moulds directly from that company to make sure you're getting the right materials to fit your machine. Alternatively, we can save you the hassle and make the covered buttons for you!
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How long does the mail order button covering take?Depending on Australia Post and your location, please allow a turnaround of approximately 10 working days. Express Post can expedite the delivery from both ends, check with Australia Post regarding your delivery sector.
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Can beaded or sequinned fabric be made in a covered button?Unfortunately, all beads and sequins either break in the dyes when making, or damage our equipment. Therefore, beads / sequins must be removed from the covered button area before make up. Fabric that is not prepared beforehand attracts a $20 surcharge. You may re-sew beads and sequins after the button has been covered.
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How much fabric should I include for the buttons?Generally, triple the button size for each button, plus a little bit of wastage. Fine fabrics require up to 5 layers to produce a quality finished product, so remember to enclose enough fabric accordingly. For lightweight or see-through fabrics (such as organza), please supply a backing fabric, or fuse fabric with an iron-on interfacing.
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How long does the button covering service take?We generally have a turnaround time of 24 hours from when we receive the fabric, although we occasionally have busy periods when our turnaround extends to 48 hours. If you require up to 10 buttons to be covered, we may be able to do them while you wait, or on the same day - check with our staff on the day.
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What is a shank?A shank is the loop (or other) that is behind the button, that allows you to sew it on.
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Are all fabrics suitable for Upholstery covered buttons?Most fabrics are suitable, including heavier weight felted wools, etc. If the fabric is finer, (eg. not upholstery weight) we use a double layer so make sure you include enough in your order. Heavy weight leathers must be skived to 0.8mm for optimum results, especially in the smaller sizes (15mm and 18mm), and some vinyls are problematic. ​Check with our staff, a test/sample can be made. Please note: Leather and Vinyl upholstery buttons charged at Marine upholstery prices - if leather is not skived, all failed buttons are paid for.
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Can I use multiple layers of fabric in a covered button?Yes, as long as the layers are not too thick, check with our staff if you are unsure. We frequently make buttons with a netting / lace over a satin, for example.
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Can you cover buttons with a placement print?Absolutely! Just let us know what part of the fabric you want us to cover, and we will specially cut each one to fit. Remember to include enough surrounding fabric for each button.
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Are all fabrics suitable for Fashion covered buttons?Most fabrics are suitable, with some exceptions - bouclé, or garment weight leathers can be problematic, as can some heavy laces. Satin fabrics unavoidably produce 'ears' due to the nature of the weave. Check with our staff, a test/sample can be made.
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What type of button should I order for my Upholstery project?The regular Upholstery covered buttons are the strongest and most reliable for interior upholstery needs, where the object is not regularly laundered, for example, a sofa. For outdoor use, or boating, you may want to use our Marine Upholstery range, as these will not rust when exposed to the elements. For soft furnishings, such as cushions or curtains, our regular Fashion range is suitable, except where upholstery weight fabrics are required.
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What are the postage costs?All orders for covered buttons will be posted in a satchel, with appropriate packaging to avoid any damage. Within Australia, our postage and handling costs start at $10.5 for trackable regular post, and start from $14.00 for trackable express post, see Australia Post. For orders outside Australia, please contact us. ​Please note: Australia Post DOES NOT ALLOW sending of items other than documents in a small paper express envelope.