Revoa

From the page: Denim deserves a second life

Idea 5

Tags and keychains from buttons and rivets

Easy 20 min

Copper rivets and metal buttons were invented by tailors in gold mines in the 19th century, because miners' pockets tore under the weight of nuggets — hammering a metal pin at the stress point solved the problem and became denim's signature to this day. Every button left over from your jeans is a miniature of that story.

What you need

  • Metal buttons, rivets, and the zipper from the jeans
  • Keyring (or reuse one from an old keychain)
  • Needle-nose pliers
  • Small denim scraps for the base
  • Fabric glue or needle and thread

How to make it

  1. 1

    Remove the buttons with pliers, pulling from the base and not the top, so you don't crush the design — many come off whole and reusable.

  2. 2

    Cut denim circles about 4 cm in diameter; make a small cut in the center and thread the keyring through.

  3. 3

    Fix the metal button over the central cut, gluing or sewing with stitches around it — the heavy metal over the thick fabric balances nicely.

  4. 4

    Make use of the zipper: its pull tab, isolated, becomes a raw and beautiful pendant for the same keychain.

Finishing touches

Also sew the buttons as decoration on pouches and rugs — the whole family of hardware from the jeans creates visual unity across your projects.

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