Hi Everyone! Welcome to Part 2, How to apply sew-on snaps. This week we have Shari with us to present a few techniques for working with these tiny closures!
Snaps are one of the most user-friendly closures for doll clothes as they are easy to fasten, don't get snagged on doll hair, and can be used just about anywhere a fastener is needed. Although their simple sew-through design should make them as easy to apply as a basic button, they are rather slippery and can be a bit of a bugger to handle. Smaller snaps, in particular, have a tendency to shoot out from between your fingers like watermelon seeds.
Most snaps have a tiny little hole in the center of each piece that you can stick a pin through to hold the snap in place while you sew. While this is helpful in keeping your snap from flying off, it can make the process of sewing a bit more “fumbly” as you try to avoid poking yourself on the pin. I recently hit on a method for sewing snaps that is both quick and easy - and painless since it doesn't require any pins. In the videos posted below, I will show you how to use this method to sew on each side of a snap as well as how to sew a snap under a decorative button.
Snaps can almost always be used interchangeably with buttons or hook and loop tape. Simply choose snaps that are the same size or slightly smaller than the recommended button size. When the size is not indicated, a size 1 or 0 (3/8-inch or 8-10 mm) snap is generally a good choice for doll clothes. Smaller snaps are not as strong as larger snaps, but if you need your snaps to be less conspicuous you can usually use a smaller size such as size 3/0 or 4/0. Just be sure to use the recommended size snaps at higher stress points such as waistbands.
We'll be demonstrating these methods as basic tutorial exercises on small scraps of fabric as well as showing examples on both Liberty Jane and Thimbles and Acorns designs to help illustrate how the basic techniques and methods are used at a smaller scale. Follow along to understand the process, hopefully watching us in action will clarify any concerns or issues you may have with these types of techniques.
Suggested Patterns For this Topic:
- LJ Abbey Road - hem, armscye bindings
- LJ Opening Night - lining, thread loop for hook
- LJ Starlight Gala - lining, hand embroidered embellishments
- LJ Hello Oscar - lining, hem, hand embroidered embellishments
- LJ Sheath Dress - lining hemline
- LJ Roebuck Bay Top - snaps under buttons
- TA Martha - snaps, hem
- TA Underpinnings - hems, hand sewn eyelets, hand sewn buttonholes
- TA Fancy Shift - hems
- TA EnForreau - hems, snaps
- TA First Impressions - snaps
- TA Saque Back Gown - hems, snaps
- TA Bib Front Regency - hems, buttonholes
- TA Sarah Hale - hems, buttonholes
- TA 1850s Day Dress - hems, snaps
- TA 1860 Day Dress - hems
- TA Bustle Dress - hems, snaps
- TA Prairie Rose - hems, buttonholes
- TA Town Girl - hems, buttonholes
- TA Country Girl - hems, buttonholes
- TA Mary and Laura - hems
- TA Carrie - hems, snaps
- TA Waterfall Bustle - snaps
- TA Sweet Sashay - snaps
- TA Hunting Frock - Thread Button Loop
- TA Charlotte - hand sewn buttonholes
Week Two Task:
- Watch the Sew On Snaps Part 1 and Part 2 videos. Practice these techniques on a piece of scrap fabric, or on a garment you have ready to finish.
- Watch the Sew Snaps Under Buttons video. Practice this technique a few times.
- Check out the Ultimate Resource Guide for fabric and supply sources. (Find this in the SWC Bonuses section)
- Jump over the SWC Facebook Group for conversation and project sharing.
11 Comments
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Kathleen
April 13, 2024
Good videos, have used them for years now. However, in my stash I have British snaps that do not have the hole in the center, I’ll have to try a work around.