Button Pillow

Dyed Button Pillow

By Elaine Schmidt

Ordinary buttons take on a whole new look when hand dyed and used to embellish a pillow. Whether you buy a pillow, sew a pillow or upcycle a vintage pillow, the results are colorfully attractive when dyed buttons are used for embellishing.  Most white buttons are made out of nylon or some type of plastic.  Rit is one of the few dyes that will color these materials.  If you like to dabble with DIY projects, you will enjoy dyeing buttons.  Buttons can be dyed to match or coordinate with whatever you are making.

Supplies Needed

  • Rit Liquid Dye:  Sunshine Orange, Teal, Violet, Apple Green
  • Rust Pillow, 20” x 20”  
  • 46 White Buttons, assorted shapes & sizes by Blumenthal Lansing
  • Measuring Cup
  • Measuring Spoons
  • 4 Disposable Plastic Containers for dyeing buttons
  • 4 Plastic Spoons for mixing dyes
  • Rubber Gloves
  • Plastic Table Cover
  • Paper Towels
  • Rust Sewing Thread & Hand Needle

Instructions

1.  Cover work surface with a plastic table cover.

2.  Decide what colors you like and prepare dye according to the basic recipe in Step 3, or
     follow the colors used in the pillow as shown.  Liquid dyes are more concentrated than
     powder dyes so use half as much dye.  Always test color with fabric scrap or paper
     towel before dyeing buttons.  If color is too light, add more dye; if it is too dark, add
     more water.

3.  Basic Recipe: Measure and mix 1 teaspoon liquid dye or 2 teaspoons powder dye
     with 1 Cup HOT Water.  Shake liquid dyes before measuring.  Water should be
     about 140 F.  If your tap water is not hot enough, heat some in the microwave or a
     tea kettle.

4.  Dye Colors for Pillow:  Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix the following dye
     colors with water in small disposable plastic containers.  Make sure container is deep
     enough to cover buttons.

  • 1 teaspoon Apple Green + 1 cup hot water
  • 1 teaspoon Violet + 1 cup hot water
  • 1 teaspoon Teal + 1 cup hot water
  • 1 teaspoon Sunshine Orange + 1 cup hot water

5.  Select the following buttons listed below and immerse buttons in dye solution for 2 to
     5 minutes.  Stir occasionally and check color frequently.

  • Apple Green -            4 large hearts, 4 square buttons
  • Violet -                      4 large round, 4 small round buttons
  • Teal -                        1 large round, 16 small round, 4 small heart buttons
  • Sunshine Orange -     8 medium round, 1 small daisy button

6.  Remove buttons when desired color is achieved.  Rinse buttons.  Then wash with soap
     and water, rinse and dry with paper towels.

7.  Follow design and layout for buttons as shown in photograph or create your own  
     design.  Pin or tape buttons in place before sewing.

8.  Sew buttons to pillow top.

Details