Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Wooden buttons for children's clothing must be smooth, free of sharp edges and cracks, with a safe finish and sewn on very securely so that a child cannot pull them off. Flat 2- or 4-hole models in sizes 16L–24L are suitable. For babywear that is fastened often, snap buttons are a practical alternative.
Why wooden buttons for children's clothing
Parents increasingly look for natural materials in childrenswear. Wooden buttons are warm and pleasant to the touch, light and contain no metal that could cause irritation on sensitive skin. Visually they suit cotton, linen, muslin and knitwear in pastel and natural tones – the typical palette of children's collections. They also support the message of brands focused on sustainability.
Safety first
Buttons are small parts, and small children explore the world with their mouths. So in childrenswear the main risk is a button being pulled off and swallowed. Manufacturers of children's clothing are responsible for ensuring their products are safe under the EU general product safety requirements (Regulation (EU) 2023/988). In practice this means:
- secure attachment – the button must withstand considerable pull without coming off;
- a smooth surface – no sharp edges, splinters or cracks;
- a safe finish – lacquers and dyes suitable for products in contact with the skin;
- the right position – for babies, buttons are best placed where the child cannot easily reach them, such as on the back or shoulder.
How to choose wooden buttons for children's clothing
Size
For babywear 16L–20L (about 10–13 mm) is suitable, for children's shirts and dresses 18L–22L, and for cardigans and jackets 24L–28L. Do not choose buttons that are too small just for proportion – they are harder for parents to fasten.
Shape
Flat round buttons with a rounded edge are preferred. Shank buttons and novelty shapes (animals, stars, hearts) are popular but require particularly careful attachment, because the shank is a potential weak point.
Wood
Dense woods such as beech and maple are suitable because they are hard and do not split easily. Their light tones suit children's palettes. Bamboo is also suitable if the button is thick enough.
Finish
Lacquered buttons withstand the more frequent washing typical of childrenswear. Natural, uncoated buttons are pleasant to the touch but become rough more quickly in the wash.
How to sew buttons on securely
- Use a strong polyester thread and a double strand.
- Make more passes than usual – for example 8–10.
- Form and wrap the thread shank tightly.
- Reinforce the fabric inside with interfacing or a small backing button.
- Finish off with a few stitches in place, not just a knot.
When machine-sewing, choose a stitch that does not unravel when the thread end is pulled, and check the machine setting periodically.
Checks in production
Series producers of childrenswear carry out a pull test on fastenings – the button is pulled with a set force and must not come off or break. The specific methods and values are agreed according to the client's requirements and the applicable standards. Good practice is to repeat the test after washing, because repeated washing weakens the thread and the wood. The button surface is also checked for cracks and splinters after washing.
Wooden or snap buttons
| Criterion | Wooden buttons | Snap buttons |
|---|---|---|
| Fastening | through a buttonhole, slower | by pressing, fast |
| Attachment | sewing | press attachment |
| Look | natural, decorative | functional, logo possible |
| Washing | moderate temperature | withstand more intensive washing |
| Suitable for | children's cardigans, dresses, shirts | bodysuits, rompers, pyjamas |
For bodysuits and garments fastened between the legs, the practice is to use snap buttons. Wooden buttons are better suited where fastening is not constant and the look matters.
Caring for children's clothing with wooden buttons
Children's clothes are washed often, so the care information must be clear. Wash on a delicate programme at a moderate temperature, with buttons fastened and the garment turned inside out. Avoid high-heat tumble drying. The instructions are shown on the garment label using care symbols.
Designing children's collections with wooden buttons
Children's collections allow more play with shape and colour. Dyed buttons in pastel tones, buttons with engraved stars, moons or initials, and contrasting combinations such as light beech on navy muslin are common choices. It is important that decoration does not come at the expense of safety: novelty shapes must be rounded and the engraving shallow and smooth. It is wise for the whole collection to use a limited number of button models, to simplify inspection and repeat orders.
Common mistakes
- decorative shank buttons on babywear, in a place the child can reach;
- too few passes in machine sewing;
- a natural finish that roughens and splits after a few washes;
- no pull test after washing.
Wooden buttons for children's collections from Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer and wholesaler of sewing accessories with over 30 years of experience. We offer wooden buttons in sizes and shapes suitable for childrenswear, as well as production with a logo and in a colour matched to a sample. Send an inquiry with a description of the collection and we will propose samples for testing.
