Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Fabric-covered buttons for a wedding dress are small buttons, usually with a domed profile and a size of 14L–18L (about 9–11 mm), covered in the same fabric as the dress – satin, mikado, crepe or lace over a backing. They are arranged in a close row down the back and fastened with small bias loops or with elastic loop tape. Often the row is decorative and hides an invisible zip that does the actual fastening.
Why wedding dresses use fabric-covered buttons
The back of a wedding dress is one of the most viewed parts during the ceremony. A row of small buttons in the colour of the dress creates rhythm, lengthens the silhouette and gives a hand-made look. Ready-made buttons rarely match the exact shade of ivory, champagne or blush, whereas a covered button is made of the same fabric and matches perfectly.
Sizes and profile
| Position | Size | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Back of the dress | 14L–18L (9–11 mm) | domed (ball) |
| Sleeves, cuffs | 14L–16L (9–10 mm) | domed |
| Bolero, jacket worn with the dress | 18L–24L (11–15 mm) | half-domed |
| Decorative belt, bow | 24L–30L (15–19 mm) | flat or half-domed |
The domed profile is traditional, because the button is visible from the side, catches the light and looks like a pearl. The smaller the button, the more are needed for the same length.
How many fabric-covered buttons for a wedding dress
The number depends on the length of the opening and the spacing between buttons. In a close row the buttons sit almost next to each other, 1.5–2 cm apart centre to centre. An opening of about 40 cm with buttons at 1.5 cm needs about 25–27 buttons. If the row continues down the skirt or sleeves, the number rises considerably. Always add a few spare buttons for trials and repairs – and put one or two in a small bag with the dress.
Loops – how the buttons fasten
Elastic loop tape
Ready-made tape with evenly spaced elastic loops, sewn along the edge of the opening. It speeds up work, ensures even spacing and stretches slightly, which makes fastening easier. It suits ateliers handling many dresses.
Bias loops (rouleau)
A thin tube of the same fabric, folded into small loops and caught in the seam. It looks the most refined and matches in colour, but requires more handwork and precision.
Invisible zip with decorative buttons
The dress fastens with an invisible zip, and the covered buttons are sewn on top of it purely for looks. This saves the bride and the dressmaker time on the wedding day while keeping the traditional look. The two are often combined: a zip for function and a few real buttons with loops at the top.
Which fabric to choose
- Satin and duchess satin – classic shine, easy to cover, suitable for all sizes.
- Mikado – a denser silk or blend with a structured look; small sizes may need fusing.
- Crepe – a matt, modern look; the button is soft and discreet.
- Taffeta – a light, crisp fabric that holds its shape well.
- Lace – covered over a satin backing in the shade of the dress. Choose a fine lace with a small motif that shows even at 9 mm. You will find more options in lace.
- Chiffon and organza – only over a backing, otherwise the metal cap shows through.
Tips for ateliers and bridal boutiques
- Send the fabric while the dress is in progress, not afterwards – the buttons must be ready before the final fitting.
- Order a few spare buttons – some are always lost or damaged during sewing and fittings.
- Specify the exact shade: the same satin looks different under natural and artificial light.
- If you work with several shades of white, label the fabric pieces to avoid mix-ups.
- Try one button with its loop before sewing the whole row – the loop should be neither loose nor too tight.
Buttons for bridal collections
Brands producing wedding dresses in series usually use a limited number of fabrics and shades for the whole season. This allows the covered buttons to be ordered in advance for the entire collection in several sizes, instead of separately for each dress. The buttons are then in stock when sewing starts, and there is no shade difference between dresses of the same style. Also think about accessories worn with the dress – bolero, belt, veil with a fastening – which can use the same buttons in a larger size.
Sewing on the row
Each button is sewn on separately with thread in the fabric colour, securing the thread after every button. That way, if one stitch breaks, the whole row does not come apart. The shank is oriented perpendicular to the edge so the button sits correctly in the loop. Measure the positions against the loop tape, not by eye – even small differences show in a long row.
Caring for a dress with covered buttons
Wedding dresses are almost always dry cleaned or cleaned by a specialist atelier. Covered buttons follow the care of the fabric. It is important that their base is corrosion-resistant, so no stains appear during cleaning or when the dress is stored for many years.
Fabric-covered buttons for wedding dresses – ordering
Polkom makes custom fabric-covered buttons in the client's own fabric – for bridal boutiques, ateliers and bridal fashion brands. We produce small and medium runs in a range of sizes and profiles, with fast sampling and delivery across the EU. Send a piece of the fabric and the number of buttons via the contact page. You will find all styles in the fabric-covered buttons category.
