How Can I Keep Buttons From Coming Off My Backpack?
August 12, 2007 9:27 PM Subscribe
How do I stop losing buttons/badges that I fasten to my backpack?
Without really trying, I tend to accumulate various and sundry buttons that please me. I'd to fasten them onto my backpack, but invariably, I lose the ones that I try that with. They knocked off. They fall off. They disappear in a puff of smoke.
Anyone suggestions for fastening them better? I schlep my bag everywhere (New Yorker) and it gets shoved into various spaces all the time. I don't see that changing much.
Help save my buttons from a life on the shelf collecting dust!
Without really trying, I tend to accumulate various and sundry buttons that please me. I'd to fasten them onto my backpack, but invariably, I lose the ones that I try that with. They knocked off. They fall off. They disappear in a puff of smoke.
Anyone suggestions for fastening them better? I schlep my bag everywhere (New Yorker) and it gets shoved into various spaces all the time. I don't see that changing much.
Help save my buttons from a life on the shelf collecting dust!
And by 'a couple' I actually mean 4 or so done with a double strand of heavy weight thread like the stuff made for stitching jeans.
posted by jacquilynne at 9:37 PM on August 12, 2007
posted by jacquilynne at 9:37 PM on August 12, 2007
With safety pin type-button I usually take a pliers and bend the needle-bit after I fastened the button. Makes it stay put, and when I need to remove it, I can straighten the pin.
posted by Rabarberofficer at 1:02 AM on August 13, 2007
posted by Rabarberofficer at 1:02 AM on August 13, 2007
Easiest fix is clear nail polish applied to the fastened button end.
posted by agregoli at 6:50 AM on August 13, 2007
posted by agregoli at 6:50 AM on August 13, 2007
Best answer: I've made buttons for years and of course have waaay too many covering every cloth surface. You're generally going to lose buttons 2 ways:
The button becomes separated from the clasped pin
The clasp comes undone and the entire structure goes bouncing away
I suggest 2 steps to avoid both problems. Every time you get a new badge, put a dab or 2 of hot glue inside the collet rim to keep the 2 parts attached. Then when you find a good spot for it, as mentioned above, a couple loops of thread around the clasp. You're probably adding a minute or 2 to what would normally be a simple process, but it's worth it!
posted by Drew_Blood at 2:01 PM on August 13, 2007 [1 favorite]
The button becomes separated from the clasped pin
The clasp comes undone and the entire structure goes bouncing away
I suggest 2 steps to avoid both problems. Every time you get a new badge, put a dab or 2 of hot glue inside the collet rim to keep the 2 parts attached. Then when you find a good spot for it, as mentioned above, a couple loops of thread around the clasp. You're probably adding a minute or 2 to what would normally be a simple process, but it's worth it!
posted by Drew_Blood at 2:01 PM on August 13, 2007 [1 favorite]
Solder also works.
posted by nebulawindphone at 3:46 PM on August 13, 2007
posted by nebulawindphone at 3:46 PM on August 13, 2007
Are you really, really sure that they haven't been stolen instead of falling off somewhere?
posted by Memo at 9:26 PM on August 13, 2007
posted by Memo at 9:26 PM on August 13, 2007
Hot glue is one of the weakest glues I've ever used. Go with nail polish, solder, or crazy glue.
posted by agregoli at 7:23 PM on September 1, 2007
posted by agregoli at 7:23 PM on September 1, 2007
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Alternately, you might be able to solder the pins shut, though that would make it quite a lot more difficult to change bags when this one wears out.
posted by jacquilynne at 9:35 PM on August 12, 2007 [2 favorites]