I came across a collection of buttons at garage sale recently and have been waiting for just the right project for them. This is it!
How about a bright button garland for the Christmas tree?
We used a long strand of thread and a needle. After we threaded our needle, we lit our beeswax candle and carefully dipped the double end of the thread, below the needle, into the beeswax and rubbed it between our fingers. This binds the thread together and makes it so that the needle stays threaded throughout the whole project… Teddy, in particular, gets very frustrated if he keeps loosing his thread.
This tip makes any needle and thread project kid-friendly
Thread the buttons onto your string.
One by one until your Christmas garland is ready to hang on your tree.
Such a fun and festive project.
Blessings and magic,
Donni
15 Responses
Such a great Christmas project! I’ve been on the lookout for colourful buttons. I only ever find the usual black/brown/white.
What a wonderful idea for keeping the thread in! I have spent far too much time doing workshops where I was constantly threading needles – even with adults who didn’t have their glasses! Now, lets see, how could you do a candle at the library and not worry about health and safety?
Thanks,
Sandy in the UK
Hi Sandy, yes, isn’t it a clever little trick… plus, the beeswax candle adds a certain reverence to the whole project (and such a wonderful smell :-)
How about using a little tea-light candle at the library?
Blessings and magic,
Donni
It is a brilliant idea to use candle wax to keep the needle threaded! I wish I had thought of that when my oldest was little. She loved to this type of project but would also get very frustrated with the needle.
What a beautiful project. I am off to hunt for appropriate coloured buttons.
And the tip about the beeswax is priceless – we do a LOT of sewing projects here, and a needle that didn’t constantly come un-threaded would be a huge bonus.
What a lovely idea, though I will have to try and find some better buttons. Although I always take buttons off old clothes, my button tin is in a bit of a sorry state.
oh what a treat, I’ll be doing this with the kiddos for sure.
Hi Donni, Do you do anything to keep the buttons in place, so they don’t slide on the cord? Perhaps tie one button before going on to the next one?
Hi Pam,
We used a thick hemp string that has a waxy coating that seems to hold the buttons brilliantly. If your thread is thinner and you are finding that your buttons slip, yes, I’d through and back and through the button holes… that aught to hold them in place… but, the simpler for our kids, the better.
Blessings and magic,
Donni
I’m going to try a dot of glue with a sequin. We have an entire week off for Thanksgiving and my ADHD grandson can work on our garland, bits at a time! I LOVE this idea!
Hi Karen… it’ll be a perfect project for the two of you. You said something so important in your comment… ‘little bits at a time’. This is so key when crafting with children… we tend to want to get it done right away… while they work better for short bursts of time.
I’d LOVE to see your garland when you are done. Please share a photo with me :)
xo Donni
Thanks. Will give it try.
This is the first I’ve been on your site. Lovely ideas and photos! Our kids are now in their 20’s but I’m sure the girls and I will be trying some of your projects.
I THICK THIS IS A GREAT BUTTON CRAFT TO DO, I HAVE USED IT EVEN WITH DIFFERENT TYPE’S OF MATERAL. THIS IS A GREAT OLD-FASHION IDEA, AND STILL LOOK’S GOOD, DIFFERENT COLOR’S BUTTON’S, FABRIC. THIS IS A OLD FASHION IDEA, BUT STILL IS A GREAT THING TO MAKE, EVEN WITH SMALL CHILDREN, ADULT’S, EVEN THE OLDER PEOPLE IN A NURSING HOME, THEY WOULD LIKE IT. YOU ARE GREAT , KEEP IT UP DON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GREAT !!!!!!!!
Ever try wire instead of thread?
Hi Janice,
wire would work wonderfully. Great suggestion.
xo Donni