Thumbtack tutorial
A few people have emailed asking how to make the little fabric-covered tacks I posted previously. See step-by-step photos below, going from left to right.
Start with a pack of "Wedding Gown Size" (size 20, 1/2") metal buttons to cover (available at fabric stores for about $1.50). Pull the loops off all the button backing pieces with a pliers or wire cutter. Cut your fabric scraps into circles slightly larger than a quarter, or use the circle template printed on the back of your button package. (Since the edges get tucked in under the metal backing, you don't have to be a careful cutter.)
Following the package directions, use the "pusher" tool that came in the pack to cover your buttons with fabric. This step is easy and the most fun! Then use a generous amount of hot glue to attach a tack to the back of your button. A standard tack should fit perfectly. Your cork board will thank you.
POST SCRIPT: You can buy buttons to cover that have flat backs so you don't have to yank off the wire loops! Get some here at J Caroline Creative. I did NOT know this when I made mine. Shoot. Could have saved myself some work.
69 comments:
They're so sweet! Lovely fabrics too.
I love them a lot. Excellent way to use up scraps from bigger projects.
This is fantastic! Now my corkboard will be colorful! Thanks for the very clear instructions.
I have to say it again that everything in this blog is so cute!!
i love this idea...can't wait to make my own!
I saw these on the craft: blog and just had to tell you how great they are! Very cute!
These are definitely very clever. Must make some for myself!
Thanks, guys! I love little tiny patterned things. Glad to hear you do, too.!
These look really nice!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing the how-to.
I just found you via "Oh Joy!" and I think it's my new most favorite blog. :) Great ideas!!!
tiny tacks. tiny patterns. so adorable. I love your fabric choices and your blog.
I saw our blog on 'Oh Joy!' today. You have a wonderful blog and these thumb tacks are too adorable!
cute cute!
Thanks so much for sharing this. Your last several posts have been really inspiring to me.
Great tutorial - they are soooo sweet.
what a fun project!!!
great project. love your site.
those are awesome!
so flippin' cute!!
I LOVE these! Now off to get me a cork board....
Thanks for the cute tutorial!
These are fantastic. They make me want to make fabric buttons for a new spring jacket...in addition to making some tacks, of course.
Great idea thanks!
How fantastic! I saw your link on another blog and think this is a great project! Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks so much for these great instructions. I tried them out and I love them -- they're addictive!!! I took your idea, embroidered numbers (like Sally did at ShimandSons) and this is what happened: http://thimbleanna.blogspot.com/2007/04/new-obsession.html
Thank you, Thank you!!!
Thanks for the link, thimbleanna; I checked them out! Great idea putting numbers and letters on them. So fun! Thanks for sharing!
I saw these recently somewhere and thought they were really cute. Thanks for showing us how to make them!
these look great! thanks for sharing such a great idea...can't wait to try it out.
how sweet, and a great gift idea for my crafting friends!! I love your blog! My first visit, I'll be marking you as a fave!
fabulous !!
thanks a lot for sharing.
After seeing your tutorial, I ran to my nearest fabric store, bought several sets of covered button kits with the intention to make loads and loads of thumbtacks. However, for the life of me, I couldn't get the fabric to stay inside the button - there was always a frayed edge popping out somewhere. My mother had a tool that came with a buttom making set she bought for upholstery, this helped a little, but we still couldn't get a decent looking button. Ack. I was really disappointed and frustrated by the process because your buttons and Sally's look fantastic.
I'm so sorry to hear that! For some reason, I didn't have that problem. Once I poked the fabric down into the shell with my fingers, it stayed there. Maybe try using a chopstick or something pointy to poke it in? Or, maybe your fabric is really heavy? I used lightweight cotton prints. I've tried to use thicker fabrics before, but it becomes hard to push the back piece on and make it stay. Maybe that's the problem?
these are really nifty! Thanks for sharing.
this is sooo awesome!
thanks for the tutorial:)
c'est vraiment une idée géniale !
bravo !
clap clap clap clap !!!!
Hey so funny! I love your blog, and look what I've posted on mine before I've read yours! coincidence or unknown friend? :)
http://digibudi.blogspot.com/2007/03/new-place-for-digibudis-digital-garden.html
Great minds must think alike! I'm sure we're not the first people to think of this, either, since it's a pretty simple idea. But so fun.
I made some tacks and also used small button magnets to make some sweet little fun for gifts and the fridge.
I also want to thank you for reminding my brain about the oven bake enamels for ceramics. I have some serve serving dishes that are l.a.m.e. and can be saved with pebeo yay!
Thanks so much for sharing - I love those! Did you use plain ole regular tacks?
Best Wishes - Katy
Yep, regular garden variety!
awesome tutorial - thanks!
I love your blog.
And I love your tacks.
Thanks for the tutorial!
Here are a few I did today...
Just...Lovely! :)
This is GREAT! Clever idea - and perfect for classroom bulletin boards! They'd be a great gift for teachers (assuming they aren't left on chairs!)
I made some!!! and I love them. I'm gifting them to a friend, so THANK YOU for the timely idea.
One thing I did (whether is was necessary or not, who knows) to strengthen the bond was to scratch the inside of the button and the top of the tack with a nail to give it more 'tooth'. Also, I was wishing for longer spikes, so I bought some black upholstery tacks that are longer from Walmart, but they won't fit in the 1/2" buttons. So I am going to order slightly larger buttons and see how that turns out.
I LOVE THIS IDEA. Next step, making myself some.
Brilliant tutorial which I finally got around to following today:
http://theshoppingsherpa.blogspot.com/2007/09/trying-different-tack.html
Thanks!
Thanks for the nice post!rwy
I know what I'll be doing this weekend!
What a great idea! Thank you!
My friends and I have a saying that we use when we are thinking about something and suddenly we see it on TV, hear about it on the radio, or someone else brings it up.. We say "Now that's the power." Perhaps others use it too... anyway, I am in the process of painting a cork board for my son's room and I wanted something cooler for thumbtacks. I came across your site via a Curbly blogger who mentioned your Christmas cards. Instead of going to that particular blog entry, I started from your home page and wah-lah - That's the power :) Thanks for sharing the steps to make cool thumbtacks!!
sub a magnet for the tack and you can have a snazy fridge too!
great tutorial! i think i will try this over the weekend :)
I've been churning these out like mad for holiday gifts.
For the tacks I purchased, I found size 24 a better size to accommodate the tack. This also allowed me to display a bit more fabric.
Once you have the pusher tool, go cheap and hit your local design district where you can buy the buttons by the dozen. I paid just $1.15/dozen of the size 24s. You can also scrounge around for some fabric scraps while you're there!
I was able to get teensy but strong magnets from Lee Valley Tools. Plus, magnets are a bit more useful for those of us w/o bulletin boards and esp good if you need something teeny but pretty to hang kid art on the fridge or filing cabinet!
I just tried out your thumbtack tutorial last night, and boy was it easy. I love the look of the fabric covered thumbtacks instead of those ugly red, green, and white plastic ones.
Thanks for the great tutorial!
hi, i loved this idea so made some too. mine are here
thanks again. xx
Thank you for the tutorial! Sometimes it's the little changes that mean a lot when it comes to personalizing the mass production things we use everyday. As soon as I get a chance I'm heading over to the closest craft store to pick some button covers up.
Absolutely love these! Great tutorial! I posted about mine here. I've already ordered the supplies for 50 more to make magnets, too. Thanks so much.
OK - This project has changed my life! Ok maybe not.. but I love the ingenuity of it... Thanks for sharing!
That girl.. Ang
ps - adding you to my blog posse!
Awesome tacks can not wait to get some supplies and make my own!! I love your blog!
my roomate and i sat out on the porch today and made a ton of these. all sizes. they are so cute and perfect for our board in the craft/sewing room! thank you!
I *LOVE* this idea! Brilliant!
xoxo
I saw this and ordered the button blanks immediately! I cannot wait to make my own! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU !
Thanks for all your great ideas and clear instructions for how to make the projects! A friend shared your blog with me, and reading it is a favorite way for me to unwind after work. I've given away many of these thumbtacks and they're always a huge hit! Thanks!
i hve one of those and i didn't know there was a flatback whoo hoo! thanks!
nice post
cute! Love it! Thanks for sharing!!
That's so cute! I've to try it.
I work for a fabric store but haven't seen anything as interesting as this. What a great idea!
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