Button Decoration Ideas – Pictures, Christmas Tree and Flowers Made of Buttons

Button pictures are created by arranging and gluing or sewing buttons of various colours and sizes onto a base – cardboard, canvas, wood or felt – following a pre-drawn design. The most popular themes are button trees, Christmas trees, flowers and letters. These projects are ideal for workshops, kindergartens and handmade studios as they develop motor skills and colour sense, while materials are inexpensive when buttons are purchased wholesale.

Button Pictures: Where to Start

A good picture begins with a clear outline. Draw the design with a pencil on the base and mark the colour zones before placing the first button. Arrange the buttons “dry,” take a photo of the layout, and only then glue them – this way children or workshop participants can see the result and make adjustments.

Bases

• Stretched canvas – most impressive and ready to hang; also suitable for sewing buttons on.
• Thick cardboard or MDF – affordable and convenient for group activities.
• Felt – buttons are sewn on, and the picture can become a cushion or a bag.
• Wooden board – for heavier and larger buttons, including metal ones.

Adhesives and Fastening

• PVA or fabric glue – child-safe but requires drying time.
• Hot glue – fast and strong, suitable only for adults or under close supervision.
• Sewing with thread through buttonholes – ideal for felt and canvas; buttons stay secure and the picture can be washed.
• Wire or floral wire – for 3D flowers and hanging elements.

Button Tree

The classic motif: the trunk and branches are drawn with a marker or formed from brown yarn, and the crown is made of buttons. Seasonal trees are perfect for kindergartens – green buttons for spring, red and yellow for autumn, white and transparent for winter. One group can create four pictures for the four seasons. Use at least three button sizes: large ones shape the volume, smaller ones fill the gaps.

Button Christmas Tree

There are three main types of button Christmas trees:

1. Flat picture – a triangle of green buttons in various shades, decorated with “ornaments” made of red and gold buttons and a star on top.
2. Cone – a cardboard or polystyrene cone covered with buttons; suitable for table or display.
3. Hanging tree – buttons strung by size on wire or sturdy thread, from largest to smallest, with a small wooden or metal button as the trunk.

Add a satin ribbon for hanging – the finished tree makes a gift or decoration for a Christmas bazaar. Ribbons in various colours are available in the ribbons category.

Button Flowers

Flowers are the easiest project for beginners. Stack two or three buttons – large, medium and small – thread wire through the holes and twist it at the back. The wire acts as a stem, and with a few green buttons as leaves, you get a bouquet. Flowers can be stuck into a pot, made into brooches, hair clips or gift box decorations. Buttons with four holes are more stable because the wire crosses inside.

More Ideas for Workshops and Studios

• Letters and names made of buttons – for children’s rooms and birthdays.
• Heart-shaped button picture in a frame – a gift for special occasions.
• Paint-by-numbers mosaic – each number corresponds to a button colour.
• Fridge magnets – a button glued onto a small magnet.
• Button bracelets and necklaces with shanks, strung on cord.
• Sorting by colour and size – an activity for the youngest, under supervision.

Button Picture as a Group Project

In group activities, one large button picture often works better than twenty small ones. Divide the design into squares, each participant fills their own, and then the squares are glued onto a common base. Prepare bowls of buttons sorted by colour and size in advance, giving each table the same set. Plan about an hour for arranging and gluing plus drying time. The finished artwork can decorate a hallway, be gifted to parents or included in a charity bazaar.

Safety When Working with Children

Buttons are small objects and pose a choking hazard for children under three years old. For this age group, use only large buttons and always work under close supervision, or replace buttons with appliqués. For older children, buttons are excellent for developing motor skills, provided they are smooth without sharp edges and glued with safe adhesives.

How to Buy Assorted Buttons Wholesale

For workshops and studios, buying buttons in larger quantities is more cost-effective than small hobby shop packs. Keep in mind:

• Colour palette. Define the main project colours – for example green, red, yellow, blue, white – and request several shades of each.
• Sizes. For pictures, it’s good to have three groups: about 12–15 mm, 18–20 mm and 23–25 mm.
• Material. Polyester buttons are lightweight, bright and affordable; wooden buttons provide a natural, warm look for eco themes.
• Holes. Buttons with two or four holes are easiest for gluing, sewing and threading.
• Packaging. Ask for colour sorting – saves hours of sorting before each activity.

Many models in the buttons category come in numerous colours, allowing you to assemble mixed assortments from stock. Inquire about specific combinations and quantities when requesting a quote.

Polkom – Button Manufacturer for Workshops and Schools

Polkom is a manufacturer of accessories for fashion, footwear and bags, as well as for perfumes, cosmetics, packaging and furniture, based in Sofia with over 30 years of experience. Besides serving garment factories, we prepare buttons in various colours and sizes for workshops, kindergartens and handmade studios. All products are OEKO-TEX® certified. Describe your project via the contact form and we will suggest a suitable assortment.