K1 KAM Plastic Snap Pliers Versus K2 ILBB Plastic Snap Pliers January 08 2021

We get a lot of questions about the difference between K1 and K2 plastic snap pliers. Both K1 and K2 pliers work great for applying plastic snaps. They are lightweight, portable, and easy to use.

The K1 pliers are KAM® branded pliers, the same quality brand as the snaps we carry. They come with four (4) dies:

• Size 16
• Size 20 & Heart Shaped snaps
• Size 19
• Size 22 & Star Shaped snaps

The K2 pliers are manufactured for our I Like Big Buttons!® brand. They are a more economical option for those who aren't looking to do all that many snaps. They come with three (3) dies:

• Size 16
• Size 20 & Heart Shaped snaps
• Size 22/24 & Star Shaped snaps

K1 are sturdier and have more robust dies than K2. If you are just doing a few snaps, the K2 is not a bad choice, and some people like them better for Size 16 snaps. The K1 pliers do a nicer job on Size 20 snaps and work great on Size 16.

K1 pliers form the snaps creating a small rounded dome in the socket and stud center. K2 pliers form more of a flat pancake with a bullseye impression that some like for Size 16 snaps, as it can make them snap together a little easier.

If grip strength is an issue, K2 pliers require less force to sufficiently set snaps.

In general, we recommend K1 over K2, but both work great.

Wednesday Humor @ ILikeBigButtons.com January 06 2021

Just for today! 😜

Our Dazzle (G95) KAM Plastic Snaps reminds me of grape popsicles, mermaids 🧜‍♀️, and childhood imagination.

If you are not into Dazzle, we carry 16 other shades of purple and 130+ unique colors of snaps.

Monday Humor for Christmas @ ILikeBigButtons.com December 21 2020

Trying to make sure everything is ready for 🎄 Christmas 🎄, feeling this more than ever today!

Our Gold (B11) KAM Plastic Snap is one of my favorite Christmas metallics. If you are not into Gold, we carry 6 metallic KAM Plastic Snap shades and 130+ unique colors of snaps.

Wednesday Humor @ ILikeBigButtons.com December 16 2020

🎄✨🎅 'Tis the Season! 🎄✨🎅

BTW, this is G104 - Cranberry, a perfect red for this Christmas season. It is a beautiful deep red that makes me think of yummy orange cranberry bread and baking with my mom. If you are not into Cranberry, we carry 9 other shades of red, 15 shades of pink, and 130+ unique colors of snaps.

Monday Humor @ ILikeBigButtons.com December 07 2020

What's on your 🎄 Christmas 🎄 list?


Our Orange (B55) KAM Plastic Snap reminds me of getting cozy in front of the fireplace with a cup of cocoa, and my darling son who does his best to wear orange every day of the week. 🥰


If you are not into Orange, we carry 13 other shades of orange and 130+ unique colors of snaps.

Monday Humor @ ILikeBigButtons.com November 30 2020

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!

Our Daffodil (G126) KAM Plastic Snap reminds me of brisk, sunny days and warm candlelight.

If you are not into Daffodil, we carry 9 other shades of yellow and 130+ unique colors of snaps.

What are you feeling Thankful, Grateful, and Blessed about today? November 23 2020

Tuesday Humor @ ILikeBigButtons.com November 17 2020

Jean Pacifier Clip with Fabric Rosette November 16 2020

Supplies for a Recycled Jean Pacifier Clip with Fabric Rosette:

• 1 Pair of Holey Jeans
• 1 1/2" to 2" x 24" long strip of Fabric
• 1 KAM Plastic Pacifier Clip
• 1 KAM Snap Sets
• KAM Snap Pliers and Awl
• Sewing Clips
• Standard Sewing Machine
• Hot Glue Gun
• Fabri-Tac - Fabric Adhesive

Instructions:

1. Using an old, holey pair of Jeans cut two 1 1/2" x 14" strips of material.
2. Use Sewing Clips to hold the material, wrong sides together, right sides facing out.
3. Stitch around the strip of fabric about a 1/4 to 3/8" in all the way around making sure to backstitch at the start and end.
4. Pull on the edges to fray the jean material up to the stitch you made.  I used a crafty child :) with a cutting board and a fork.  It will also fray over time but I was going for this look.
5. To make the Fabric Rosette, fold the fabric in half, wrong sides together, two times.  You will end up with about 1/2" or less strip of fabric 24" long.  I used an iron to fold it, not so much that it was completely flat, just enough that it held its shape.  Start at one end and hot glue the first bit of it back against itself.
6. Continue this ever so often so that the 'bud' stays together.
7. Make the bud or center of the rose about 1/2" in diameter.  Add one last drop of hot glue.
8. Now twist the fabric 360 degrees, so that the bottom becomes the top.  Tack it with a small bead of hot glue and repeat.
9. Continue twisting and gluing until you run out of fabric or until you reach the desired size of your rosette.
10. It will look like this when you are finished.
11. Glue the last bit of fabric on the underside of the Rosette securely with hot glue.
12. For a more finished look, I added a circle of felt to the bottom with Fabri-Tac.
13. Put the KAM Plastic Pacifier Clip on the Fabric strip about 1″ in.
14. Fold back 1″ of the strip back onto itself.
15. Straight stitch across the fabric strip just behind the KAM Plastic Pacifier Clip.  Make sure to set the stitch.
16. Make sure that the internal snap in a comfortable distance to accommodate the width of the handle, I spaced my KAM Snaps about 2″ apart using the Pacifier I have with the biggest handle.
17. Now on the side where the Pacifier will be attached, I installed a Cap and Socket about 1/2″ from the edge.  I used Size 20 snaps for this tutorial but either Size 20 or Size 16 will work great.
18. Add Fabric Rosette with Fabri-Tac to the Pacifier Clip just above the clip.
19. Now snap the Pacifier in place, attach to your child’s outfit and go.
20. Tada!  Okay, I think I am in love.  Super cute!  Happy Snapping!!!  To see our other great Pacifier Clip Tutorial and KAM Plastic Snap Ideas and buy these supplies visit I Like Big Buttons.com.

Disclaimer:  Keep in mind that although I have rough tested these I in no way recommend you leave your baby alone with these as there are small pieces and if not done properly they may come apart and become a choking hazard.  I would recommend these clips under adult supervision only.  The maker and/or parent assumes full responsibility when using these pacifier clips.

Tuesday Humor @ ILikeBigButtons.com November 10 2020

Especially this time of year!!! 😊😜😁

Our Violet (B41) KAM Plastic Snap is one of our most popular colors and a favorite of mine. If you are not into Violet, we carry 16 other shades of purple and 130+ unique colors of snaps.

"No Sew" Pacifier Clip with KAM Snaps and Enamel Clip by ILikeBigButtons.com November 03 2020

Supplies for a "No Sew" Pacifier Clip:

• Pacifier with Hinged Handle
• 14-15" of 7/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
• 1 Enamel Clip or Plastic Clip
• 2 KAM Snap Sets
• KAM Snap Pliers and Awl
• Fabric Tac
• Lighter or Chef's Torch

Instructions:

1. Choose a 7/8" or 3/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, cut a 14" to 16" length of ribbon.  I did 7/8" Grosgrain Ribbon and I cut it 16" long so when it was completed it was approximately 12" long.
2. The ribbon I was using was made of polyester so I used a lighter to seal the ends of the ribbon so it doesn't fray.  (If you are unsure, you may want to practice on a scrap piece if this is your first time or you are unsure of what the material is made of.)
3. Then I used a bit of Fabric Tac and folded over 1" of the ribbon back on itself to reinforce the ribbon and pressed it firmly and let it dry.  Repeat on the opposite end.
4. Once dry, I installed a Cap and Socket in each end of the ribbon about 1/2" from the edge.  I used Size 20 snaps for this tutorial but either Size 20 or Size 16 will work great.
5. On the side that will hold the Enamel Clip, I simply folded the ribbon over at the 1" mark and installed a Cap and Stud where it would meet.  I, then, feed the Enamel Clip onto the ribbon and snapped it into place.  It may have been easier to thread on the pacifier clip before installing any Snap parts but I was able to feed it through without much trouble.
6. Now on the side where the Pacifier will be attached, adjust the internal snap at a comfortable distance to accommodate the width of the handle.  I went an additional 1/2" for the Pacifier, I used.
7. Now snap the Pacifier in place, attach to your child's shirt and go.
8. Tada!  Happy Snapping!!!

Monday Humor @ ILikeBigButtons.com November 02 2020

Friday Humor @ ILikeBigButtons.com October 23 2020

Some days, for sure! 😜

BTW, this is B38 - Deep Red, one of my all-time favorite KAM plastic snap colors. It is the quintessential red and reminds me of fall apples, fire trucks, and school pride. Can you guess what one of my school colors was growing up? 🥰 If you are not into Deep Red, we carry 9 other shades of red, 15 shades of pink, and 130+ unique colors of snaps.

Pronged Stud Tutorial: Stackable KAM Plastic Snaps by I Like Big Buttons! August 19 2020

Pronged studs enable snap stacking. They take the place of a cap and allow your item to be snapped from both sides. While typically used to make a double-sided snap, they can be daisy-chained.

They are available in as few as 25, 100, and 1000 pieces.

Here is a simple tutorial to show the versatility of Pronged Studs.

Supplies:

• Size 20 KAM Plastic Snaps (Colors of your choosing)
• Size 20 Pronged Studs
• Sheets of Colored Felt or Fabric
• Scissors

1. Plan your layered flower, insert the Snap Cap through the first layer and back it with a socket. Form the KAM plastic snap.

2. Insert a Pronged Stud through the second layer and back it with a stud. Form the Pronged Stud and Stud together using the pronged stud die into the bottom of your press, and stud die into the top of your press.

3. Insert a Pronged Stud through the third layer and back it with a socket. Form the Pronged Stud and Socket together using the pronged stud die into the bottom of your press, and socket die into the top of your press.

4. Insert the Snap Cap through the fourth layer and back it with a socket. Form the KAM plastic snap.

5. Now snap all the layers together and enjoy!

6. Tada! Below is a close up for how they stack together. Pronged studs enable snap stacking. They take the place of a cap and allow your item to be snapped from both sides. While typically used to make a double-sided snap, they can be daisy-chained infinitely.

Pronged Studs:

• Have a 5.6mm prong like standard size 20 snaps.
• Requires a DK-98 press, size 20 pronged stud die, and size 20 three piece die set OR DK-93 press, size 20 pronged stud die, and size 20 three piece die set.
• Cannot be installed with snap pliers.
• Are sold as pronged studs only. Caps, sockets, and regular studs are available separately.

A stud or socket can be installed on the other side of the pronged stud. Just insert the pronged stud die into the bottom of your press, and the socket or stud die into the top of your press.

© ILikeBigButtons.com and I Like Big Buttons Blog, 2020.

Free Downloadable/Printable Chart to attach "G" Custom Colors June 04 2020

Printable Chart/Grid for the "G" Custom Colors	Printable Chart/Grid for the "G" Custom Colors (Flipped/Foldable)

I Like Big Buttons! Printable Chart/Grid for the "G" Custom Colors (G61 through G130)

My sweet husband created 2 pdf charts for our ILBB "G" KAM Plastic Snaps Custom Colors with a small circle in each square so that your snap caps can be placed neatly in the chart.

He also split it into two charts to make it easier to attach the snaps with pliers or press if you would like. They can also be attached with glue. And he formatted it so that you can choose between either a "both sides up" version or a "flippable" version so you can fold it in half and flip it and have the second half of the chart right side up.

Now, you can have an easy quick reference chart like Standard KAM plastic snap chart for B1 through B60. You can print the charts on paper or cardstock and attach our exclusive "G" Custom Colors for a handy reference guide when ordering or deciding on fabric/snap combinations.

They are available in the above links, but you can also find it on our website in the main menu under "Color Charts".

Where to buy Standard KAM plastic snap chart and samples of our 70 custom colors.

Face Mask with Scrunchy Earpieces Using KAM Plastic Snaps Tutorial by ILikeBigButton.com April 23 2020

As a precaution, I have been making our family some face masks. Nothing fancy, I was limited to what supplies I had on hand. I made a mask with Elastic earlier, this one will be with ribbon ties.

So with some fabric scraps, ribbon (they mentioned you could use shoelaces as an option), sewing clips, and my trusting sewing machine, I found a set of instructions and struck out.

Here is the #1 version and #2 version I made:

Supplies:

• Face Mask Instructions (I used these as general guidelines)
• 2x 9.5" x 6.5" pieces of Fabric
• 2x 2" x 12" pieces of Fabric
• 2x 7" of Elastic (this is a good average size, but may need to be adjusted if you are a smaller person)
• KAM Plastic Snaps
• KAM Plastic Snap Pliers
• Sewing Clips
• Sewing Machine

1. Cut out 2x 9.5" x 6.5" fabric rectangles and 2x 2" x 12" fabric rectangles.

2. Iron the 2"x12" in half making a 1"x 12" fabric strip with right side facing in. Make 2.

3. Sew 1/4" seam along the long side (12" long seam) and turn then the tube right side out. Iron smooth.

4. Fish a 7" piece of elastic through the tube, I used a sewing clip to keep the back end of the elastic from getting lost in the tube. Pin the elastic level with the end of the tube. It should start to scrunch up some. The tube is 12" long and the elastic is 7" long.  Tuck the fabric into the tube without losing the elastic (use a second pin to keep in place) and sew the finished end of the earpiece that will be exposed. Make 2.

5. With the right side of 9.5" x 6.5" fabric facing up, pin the 2 fabric and elastic earpieces to the bottom corners. Like so.

6. Pin the second piece of 9.5" x 6.5" fabric facing down to the fabric with the earpieces tucked safely inside. Make sure the earpieces don't get caught in the edges while sewing.

7. Sew a 1/4" seam starting about 1/2 way on the long side. Go all the way around the perimeter, stopping when you have about 1.5" to 2" left. Make sure to go back and forth at each of the corners to anchor the ribbon. Leave that gap so that you can turn the face mask right side out.

8. Turn the mask right side out and iron it flat.

9. Make three pleats lengthwise, like you are folding a paper fan. I eyed it and used the sewing clip width as my pleat measurer, but if I was making more than a handful of these, I would make myself a template to make this part easier. The pleats help the mask form around the wearer’s face. Secure each pre-sewn pleat with a sewing clip as pictured above.

10. Now sew a 1/4"  stitch around the outer perimeter of the mask face, going back and forward over the corners to add more stability to the ribbon.

11. Then, top stitch a second time around the outer edge about 1/4" in from the first round of stitching.

12. Using your KAM Plastic Snap Pliers and KAM Plastic Snaps add a snap to the upper edge of the mask and the end of the loose earpiece.

13. Tada! You have a finished face mask. This was my husband's favorite because the elastic didn't rub and pull at his ears. I added a second KAM Plastic Snap in pink to each side to make the mask work better with my face.

*Afterthoughts, this mask was the perfect size for my husband, but I added another KAM Plastic Snap an inch in for me on the scrunchy earpiece. This also worked for my teens, but I will need to adjust for my smaller kiddos. This mask seems best sized for teens to adults.

Yes, ILikeBigButtons.com OPEN and Shipping! March 18 2020

Yes, I Like Buttons! OPEN and Shipping!

We have gotten a few questions about if we are open and shipping during this time. The answer is YES! We are all healthy and safely tucked at home as we practice social distancing.

I Like Big Buttons! is a completely e-commerce based, family-run business. Since we don't have a physical storefront, we are able to continue our operations as usual. All our items are in stock and ready to ship. Items purchased before 3 pm PT will go out the next business day via our USPS scheduled morning pickup.

My presence on social media may slow, and I ask for your patience with that. I have just become a full-time homeschooling mom for the next 6 weeks, on top of my responsibilities at I Like Big Buttons!, being a full-time wife, and a full-time momma. As many of you know, I am a momma of many, which means lots of "Mom, Mom, Mom!" as the day goes long. Lots of "How do I do this?" and "What am I supposed to do next?" Our school district has been amazing and was able to send all my kiddos home with lots of work, both online and in packet form, to keep them active.

For support or product questions, please contact us at support@ilikebigbuttons.com. We check our email support constantly, but may only get to our social media pages a few times a day. Facebook doesn't always notify us that you have asked a question, so we may not see it in a timely manner.

Thank you,
Gena
ILikeBigButtons.com

Let the record show that I went into the craft store for ONE thing. February 18 2020

😍🤗😂 Every time! 😍🤗😂

I Like Big Buttons! Fun Facts: How We Prepare Our Plastic Snaps And Why October 28 2019

For all our new friends and followers of I Like Big Buttons!, it seemed like a great time to introduce you to our amazing Plastic Snaps!!!  For those of you who have been with us for a long time, here is a refresher.

We carry a variety of package deals for our snaps from 10 sets, 25 sets, 100 sets up to thousands of KAM snaps with and without pliers or professional press all at a great price. We have a listing for just about everyone at the price range and quantity you desire.

Our 25 packs sets came to be largely for cloth diapers, but over the last decade, they have become our most popular quantity for both our cloth diaper makers and our embroidery, snap tab making, and general sewing customers.

We provide the best of both worlds, smaller packs to those that want greater variety and larger packs for those looking to use snaps in bulk.

Some of the other these reasons we offer these great options include:

* An equally large demand for “just a sampling of every color”, which gave birth to our sets of 10 and Starter Packs.

* We also offer individual parts in quantities of 100 and 1000 in all of KAM Plastic Snaps 130+ colors.

If you aren't sure how to jump into plastic snaps, we also carry starter packs including multi-packs of 10 or 25 sets of snaps.  If you are new to snapping, we have starter packs with plastic snap pliers, awl, and an instructional DVD.  These Starter Packs are a great way to get addicted :).  We have 18 preset themes including Rainbow Spectrum, Pastel Spectrum, Vibrant Boy, Vibrant Girl, Patriotic, Military, and many others.

Check out our convenient Starter Packs:

We also offer an option to choose your own colors.  You can pick from any of KAM Plastic Snaps 130+ fun colors. Have you taken a moment to check out our easy to navigate KAM Snap Visual Ordering Chart!?!

Here is our chart of available colors, we carry over 130+ great KAM Plastic Snap colors.

Other KAM Plastic Snap Deals going on right now:

Rainbow GRAB BAG: Random 1000* Kam Plastic Snaps for $21.95 (Regularly $35.95)

1000* Kam Snaps/Plastic Snaps for $18.95 (Regularly $35.95)

See our Clearance and Sales Section for other great deals!

"No Sew" KAM Plastic Snaps Backpack Embellishments by ILikeBigButtons.com August 28 2019

My kiddos wanted a little embellishment on their backpacks this year so that they could tell theirs from the sea of backpacks at school. Simple, "No Sew", and I was able to customize each kiddo's backpack to match their personality. KAM plastic snaps to the rescue!

Mr. J wanted his backpack in his favorite color: Orange! He picked Size 20 KAM Plastic Snaps - B52 - Dark Orange.

Mr. M likes a little pizzazz in his wardrobe and his backpack is no exception. He picked Size 20 KAM Plastic Snaps - G96 -Mirror (Round shaped) and Star-Shaped KAM Plastic Snaps - G124 - Robin's Egg Blue.

Miss E is all about love. She chose Heart-Shaped KAM Plastic Snaps in G99 - Lilac and G96 - Mirror.

To see other great KAM Plastic Snap ideas, visit our DIY Project section here.

Adding Button Enclosure to Sweatpants Pocket with KAM Plastic Snaps by ILikeBigButtons.com July 22 2019

I love my slouchy sweatpants for getting work done around the house, but their comfortable pockets are useless when for holding onto my phone when I am talking to my sister while we clean via wireless headsets. :) KAM plastic snaps to the rescue! I turned my useless slouch pocket into a secure button enclosed, phone holding pocket in just a few seconds with KAM plastic snaps.

Supplies:

• KAM Plastic Snaps
• KAM Plastic Snap Pliers and Awl

I used some fun colored snaps from the KAM plastic snaps Grab Bag making bucket. 

Easy Peasy, I wore my phone around all day while I cleaned and worked. It was secure the whole time and with a quick unsnapping on hand when I needed it. KAM plastic snaps are the BEST! 

Tada! I can see tons of hand-free cleaning in my future without fear that my phone will fall out of my pocket while I am moving.

To see other great KAM Plastic Snap ideas, visit our DIY Project section here.

How To Make A KAM Plastic Snap Cord Keeper/Organizer by ILikeBigButtons.com February 05 2019

Cords, cords, cords!!! Despite my husband's best efforts to make our house wireless, there are cords everywhere. Part of the joy of being a mom of many, I suppose. 😜 Everyone has one or more somethings that need to be charged and my husband makes sure there are enough cords so that no one is left crying. Have I mentioned he is my resident computer wiz? A job he proudly takes on.

So with cords abounding in my life and house, I decided we needed a better way to manage them all. Here are the results of my efforts. Cord keepers/organizers to simplify my life and corral the cords we can't live without. 🤪

Supplies:

• Approximately 5.25" x 2" Marine Vinyl or material of your choice
• KAM Plastic Snaps (I used Long Prong KAM Plastic Snaps because I was working with 2 layers of Marine Vinyl)
• KAM Plastic Snap Pliers and Awl
• Sewing Clips
• Standard Sewing Machine
• Scissors
• Rotary Cutter

Instructions:

1. Cut out your material of choice, I used Marine Vinyl I had left over from a summer project. I cut each piece approximately 5.25" x 2" and gave them two different styles of finished ends. One is a pointed end, I used my quilting square to accomplish this, and the other has a rounded end, I used a small drinking cup to create the rounded tip. *The cords I was making these for were 6' cords, you may need to adjust the length of your cord keeper to accommodate a larger or smaller cord.

2. Place the two pieces of Marine Vinyl with wrong sides together and pin with Sewing Clips, if desired. Straight stitch with a 1/4" seam around the whole piece using a back stitch at the beginning and end to set the stitch. 

3. Trim the edges down to 1/8" to remove the excess vinyl and any uneven edges. The Marine Vinyl can slip a little bit when you are sewing and I found this was the easiest way to get a clean edge.

4. Measure to the center at the top and bottom of each cord keeper/organizer and place a mark where you want your KAM Plastic Snap to sit. I don't like to eye it as I often find them off-center when I wing it.

5. Poke a hole through the centered mark with your KAM Awl and insert the KAM Plastic Snap Cap prong through the hole. You will want the cap on the top side (the side that was up when sewing) of your cord keeper and the socket or stud on the bottom side.

6. Flip the cord keeper over and add the socket.  Install the KAM Plastic Snap Cap and Socket on the edge that is rounded or pointed and a Cap and Stud on the square edge as pictured below.

7. Remember to install the snaps so that one half (Cap and Stud) are face up and one (Cap and Socket) are face down so that when you fold the cord keeper around the cord, the socket and stud meet.

8. Tada! These cord keepers/organizers take only minutes to make with scraps of vinyl/fabric, a few KAM Plastic Snaps, and are already making my life feel less crazy. At least until they all get home from school. 😜

To see other great KAM Plastic Snap ideas, visit our DIY Project section here.

The Anatomy Of A KAM Plastic Snap by I Like Big Buttons! February 04 2019

KAM plastic snaps are wonderful. They are a SNAP to install and much easier and durable than a standard metal snap or sewable button.  They come in a multitude of colors and sizes.  Which one is right for you?

Here is a simple tutorial on the anatomy of a plastic snap set. There are 4 parts to a set:

• 2 Caps (Before installation they resemble a tack with a Round, Heart, or Star shaped head. They give a neat finished look to your snap.)
• 1 Socket (The female part with the larger raised circle that the stud (male part) fits into)
• 1 Stud (The male part with the smaller raised circle that fits inside the socket (female part))

SIZE 20:

• Size 20 (0.5" - 12.4 mm) snaps can be used for most general projects like baby diapers and clothing. They are our most popular plastic snap size, have the largest color variety, and have a good strong hold. We carry them in all 130 colors and clear.
• Standard Size 20 snaps have a 5.6mm prong length. Prong length refers to the length of the shaft on the backside of the Cap. When formed, the prong will compress and form a 'mushroom' shape to hold the Cap and Socket or Stud together.
• We also offer Long Prong Size 20 (0.5" - 12.4 mm) in a rainbow of colors. They are great for embroidered key fobs using Marine or Glitter Vinyl as well as other projects where you need just a little more prong length. Long Prong Size 20 snaps have a 6.2mm prong length.

 SIZE 16:

• Size 16 (0.4" - 10.2 mm) snaps are most commonly used for baby and toddler clothing, pacifier clips, mama pads, and small crafts. We carry them in our first 60 ("B") colors and clear.
• Size 16 snaps have a 4.2mm prong length. Prong length refers to the length of the shaft on the backside of the Cap. When formed, the prong will compress and form a 'mushroom' shape to hold the Cap and Socket or Stud together.
• The Size 16 Socket and Stud are less noticeably different. Many first time users don't immediately see the distinction. The Socket's raised circle is the larger of the two pictured, and the Stud's raised circle is smaller and inserts into the Socket (female) side.

SIZE 14:

• Our Size 14 (0.35" - 9.7 mm) snaps can be used in most applications where Size 16 snaps are used. We carry them in White and Black at this time.
• Our Size 14 snaps have a 5.0mm prong length. Prong length refers to the length of the shaft on the backside of the Cap. When formed, the prong will compress and form a 'mushroom' shape to hold the Cap and Socket or Stud together.
• As with the Size 16, the Size 14 Socket and Stud are less noticeably different. The Socket's circle is the larger of the two pictured.  The Stud's circle is smaller and inserts into the Socket (female) side. Size 16 and Size 14 Sockets and Studs are the same; only the cap differs.

SIZE 19:

• Size 19 (0.475" - 12 mm) snaps are used for heavy-duty applications requiring a strong grip. They are often used with tote bags, coats, tarps, and upholstery. We carry them in White and Black at this time.
• Size 19 snaps have a 6.9mm prong length. Prong length refers to the length of the shaft on the backside of the Cap. When formed, the prong will compress and form a 'mushroom' shape to hold the Cap and Socket or Stud together.
• The Size 19 Socket and Studs are larger, but similar in appearance to Size 20 Sockets and Studs.

SIZE 22:

• Size 22 (0.55" - 14.1 mm) snaps are used for heavy-duty applications requiring a strong grip. They are often used with tote bags, coats, tarps, and upholstery. We carry them in White and Black at this time.
• Size 22 snaps have a 6.9mm prong length. Prong length refers to the length of the shaft on the backside of the Cap. When formed, the prong will compress and form a 'mushroom' shape to hold the Cap and Socket or Stud together.
• The Size 22 Socket and Studs are larger, but similar in appearance to Size 20 Sockets and Studs.

KAM Snap Upcycled Jean Christmas Ornaments by ILikeBigButtons.com December 05 2018

Today I decided a need a few Upcycled Jean Christmas Trees. As I have mentioned in the past, finding jeans destine for the scrap pile is no problem with a house full of rambunctious kiddos. These cute trees also remind me of some that my parents had when we were growing up.

Supplies:

• A set of holey Jeans
• Star KAM Snaps
• KAM Snap Pliers and Awl
• Fabric of your choice (I picked Christmasy colored cotton fabric)
• Ribbon
• Quilt Batting or Pillow Stuffing
• Fabric Adhesive
• Standard Sewing Machine
• Scissors

1.  Make a simple Christmas Tree template and trace on your jean fabric with a permanent marker.

2.  Make pairs of each tree so that you have a front and back for each tree. You could also use felt or fabric on the back to extend the impact of your jean fabric.

3.  Cut the Christmas Tree template down. I took about a 1/2" on each side/angle. Make a Fabric Christmas Tree silhouette for each Jean Christmas Tree.

4.  Use a Fabric Adhesive to adhere the Christmas Tree silhouettes to the fronts sides of the Jean Christmas Trees.

5.  Use a decorative stitch to outline the Upcycled Jean Christmas Trees on two sides. Then fill with quilt batting or pillow filling.

6.  Finish stitching along the bottom swoop of the Christmas Tree. Add a loop of decorative ribbon and a Star KAM Plastic Snap to the top of the Christmas Tree.

Additional Crafty Ideas:

• You could add multiple cuts along the edges of the trees to add more character.
• Or you could fray the edges of the trees.
• You could give the trees finished edges, but that wasn't the look I was personally going for.
• You could add KAM Snaps; both Star, Heart, and Round shaped into the body of the tree to represent ornaments or twinkling lights.

7.  Tada! I think they turned out great and add a great pop of color to our Christmas Tree.

I Like Big Buttons! Upcycled Messenger Bag/Purse Tutorial November 09 2018

We are a cat loving family here at I Like Big Buttons. As such, we have a few fluffy friends scurrying around. Recently, my husband picked up a few bags of cat food that not only were made of a more durable material than the paper bags ones but also had cute kitty images on them. I couldn't resist turning them into some cute messenger bags for a couple of my little cat lovers. :)

How to make an Upcycled/Recycled Messenger Bag/Purse with KAM Snaps and Pet Food Bag

Supplies:

• Pet Food Bag of your choice (Look for the ones made of woven plastic)
• Marine Vinyl or a material of your choice
• 2 KAM Snap Sets (Depending on the thickness of the material you may want Long Prong)
• KAM Snap Pliers and Awl
• 1″ Cotton Webbing
• Scissors/Rotary Blade
• Standard Sewing Machine

1.  Cut the bag along the seams. I plan on making 2 bags with it. For this project, I am focusing on making each bag with a kitty image front and center. Use a damp cloth to wipe the leftover cat food crumbs from the interior of the bags and let air dry. This doesn't take more than a few minutes.

2.  Decide on your shape. I like to craft off the cuff. This lid of a storage container was just the right size and shape to showcase the kitty image. Trace around it with a marker.

3.  I picked the height based on the image. I left a 1" above each kitty image. *If I did it again, I might do 2" or 3" instead. As you will see later, the flap of the bag covers some of the image. If I had dropped it another inch I think it would have looked slightly better when snapped closed.

4.  Cut 2 pieces of Marine Vinyl or material of your choice the same size at the kitty images. I had some vinyl left over from a summer chair reupholstering product. I love it because the color goes nicely with the kitty image and it is durable.

5.  Cut two flaps for the messenger bags. I cut them the same width as the bags and longer than I thought I would need so I could adjust on the fly.

6. Using a 1/2" seam sew the kitty image to the front piece of Marine Vinyl, right sides together. I chose to put the Marine Vinyl front to the front so that the interior of the bag was uniform, but you could turn the right side of the Marine Vinyl inward so that it was to the inside of the bag. Sewer's choice. :)

7.  Fold the sewed seam flat and smooth. Then, fold it until the kitty image is right side out. Smooth the sewed seam and Marine Vinyl.

8.  Sew 1/4" seam along the top of the finished edge.

9.  Fold the top edge of the back piece of the bag over a 1/2". Sew 1/4" seam along the edge, creating a finished edge.

10.  For the top flap, I created a simple square with three finished edges. Marine Vinyl is durable and the raw edges hold up nicely. If using another material, you will have to give consideration to the material you are using and adjust accordingly. The messenger bag/purse will be about 8" wide when finished so I made the flaps slightly smaller at 7.75".  *If I did it again, I might have shaved off a little bit more to give the shoulder strap more room to fill.

11.  I, then, cut the height of the flap down to 3" because I wanted to see as much of the kitty image as I could after the KAM plastic snap was installed.

12.  Align and use a zigzag stitch to attach the flap to the back piece of the purse. Make sure to center it.

13.  Put right sides together and sew the 2 sides and bottom of the purse with a 3/8" to 1/2" seam. Make sure to use a Stay Stitch the beginning and end of your sewing so that the stitches stay put.

14.  Turn the bags right side out and square the corners as much as possible. I used the backside of a Sharpie marker to help square the corners. Remember I slightly rounded them so they won't be perfectly square. Smooth bags flat.

15.  Measure the center of the flap and use a KAM awl to poke a hole for the KAM plastic snap that you will adding. I am only going through 1 layer of Marine Vinyl so a Standard Prong snap will work. If you are using thicker material or multiple layers, I would recommend our Long Prong KAM plastic snaps.

16.  Install KAM plastic snap (Cap and Socket).

17.  Repeat in front of the bag, where KAM plastic snap lines up. I poked the hole through both layers at once so that I had a point of reference. Then I widened the hole after double-checking the placement of the internal hole. Install KAM plastic snap (Cap and Stud).

18.  I think they turned out super cute! Now to add shoulder straps.

19.  For the sake of time and my sanity, I simply attached the shoulder straps with a half of a KAM snap set (Cap and Socket). I used the snap like a rivet. I also used Long Prong KAM plastic snaps for this piece because I was working with the thickness of the Marine Vinyl and Cotton Webbing. *I doubled the edge of the Cotton Webbing over on itself and sewed a straight line back and forth across it a half dozen times so it doesn't unravel.  With Polyester Webbing, you could melt the edge to secure it.

20.  Tada!!! I think they turned out great, it took less than 2 hours to make both of them, and my little cat lovers are ecstatic. They have a new place to store their treasures.

😻 😻 😻

I Like Big Buttons! Unpaper Towel Tutorials October 17 2018

Unpaper towels make a great, attractive, and functional that you can make for you and your loved ones.  We have 3 easy tutorials that show you how to make them.  Standard Sewing Machine, Serger, or "No Sew" just pick your skill level and you can have these decorative and functional unpaper towels in your kitchen.

Unpaper Towels with a Sewing Machine

Unpaper Towels with a Serger

"No Sew" Unpaper Towels with KAM Snaps

When Batgirl's Velcro Cape Won't Stay Put Anymore ... July 24 2018

Batgirl 😉 requested Heart Snaps to match her purple cape. I was able to install them in under a minute without her having to take her dress off, which is a bonus.

Batgirl told me they were "very pretty" as she skipped away.

Friday Fun Facts - The Anatomy Of A KAM Plastic Snap June 08 2018

KAM plastic snaps are wonderful. They are a SNAP to install and much easier and durable than a standard metal snap or sewable button.  They come in a multitude of colors and sizes.  Which one is right for you?

Here is a simple tutorial on the anatomy of a plastic snap set. There are 4 parts to a set:

• 2 Caps (Before installation they resemble a tack with a Round, Heart, or Star shaped head. They give a neat finished look to your snap.)
• 1 Socket (The female part with the larger raised circle that the stud (male part) fits into)
• 1 Stud (The male part with the smaller raised circle that fits inside the socket (female part))

SIZE 20:

• Size 20 (0.5" - 12.4 mm) snaps can be used for most general projects like baby diapers and clothing. They are our most popular plastic snap size, have the largest color variety, and have a good strong hold. We carry them in all 130 colors and clear.
• Standard Size 20 snaps have a 5.6mm prong length. Prong length refers to the length of the shaft on the backside of the Cap. When formed, the prong will compress and form a 'mushroom' shape to hold the Cap and Socket or Stud together.
• We also offer Long Prong Size 20 (0.5" - 12.4 mm) in a rainbow of colors. They are great for embroidered key fobs using Marine or Glitter Vinyl as well as other projects where you need just a little more prong length. Long Prong Size 20 snaps have a 6.2mm prong length.

 SIZE 16:

• Size 16 (0.4" - 10.2 mm) snaps are most commonly used for baby and toddler clothing, pacifier clips, mama pads, and small crafts. We carry them in our first 60 ("B") colors and clear.
• Size 16 snaps have a 4.2mm prong length. Prong length refers to the length of the shaft on the backside of the Cap. When formed, the prong will compress and form a 'mushroom' shape to hold the Cap and Socket or Stud together.
• The Size 16 Socket and Stud are less noticeably different. Many first time users don't immediately see the distinction. The Socket's raised circle is the larger of the two pictured, and the Stud's raised circle is smaller and inserts into the Socket (female) side.

SIZE 14:

• Our Size 14 (0.35" - 9.7 mm) snaps can be used in most applications where Size 16 snaps are used. We carry them in White and Black at this time.
• Our Size 14 snaps have a 5.0mm prong length. Prong length refers to the length of the shaft on the backside of the Cap. When formed, the prong will compress and form a 'mushroom' shape to hold the Cap and Socket or Stud together.
• As with the Size 16, the Size 14 Socket and Stud are less noticeably different. The Socket's circle is the larger of the two pictured.  The Stud's circle is smaller and inserts into the Socket (female) side. Size 16 and Size 14 Sockets and Studs are the same; only the cap differs.

SIZE 19:

• Size 19 (0.475" - 12 mm) snaps are used for heavy duty applications requiring a strong grip. They are often used with tote bags, coats, tarps, and upholstery. We carry them in White and Black at this time.
• Size 19 snaps have a 6.9mm prong length. Prong length refers to the length of the shaft on the backside of the Cap. When formed, the prong will compress and form a 'mushroom' shape to hold the Cap and Socket or Stud together.
• The Size 19 Socket and Studs are larger, but similar in appearance to Size 20 Sockets and Studs.

SIZE 22:

• Size 22 (0.55" - 14.1 mm) snaps are used for heavy duty applications requiring a strong grip. They are often used with tote bags, coats, tarps, and upholstery. We carry them in White and Black at this time.
• Size 22 snaps have a 6.9mm prong length. Prong length refers to the length of the shaft on the backside of the Cap. When formed, the prong will compress and form a 'mushroom' shape to hold the Cap and Socket or Stud together.
• The Size 22 Socket and Studs are larger, but similar in appearance to Size 20 Sockets and Studs.