Button Covering FAQs
How to order
Welcome to our in-house button covering service.
We use the highest quality Astor moulds from Germany, and maintain stringent quality control.
We use the highest quality Astor moulds from Germany, and maintain stringent quality control.
Q. How long does the button covering service take?
A. We generally have a turnaround time of 24 hours from when we receive the fabric, although we occasionally have busy periods when our turnaround extends to 48 hours. If you require up to 10 buttons to be covered, we may be able to do them while you wait, or on the same day - check with our staff on the day.
Q. How long does the mail order button covering take?
A. Depending on Australia Post and your location, please allow a turnaround of approximately 10 working days. Express Post can expedite the delivery from both ends, check with Australia Post regarding your delivery sector.
Q. What are the postage costs?
A. All orders for covered buttons will be posted in a satchel, with appropriate packaging to avoid any damage. Within Australia, our postage and handling costs start at $10.5 for trackable regular post, and start from $14.00 for trackable express post, see Australia Post. For orders outside Australia, please contact us.
Please note: Australia Post DOES NOT ALLOW sending of items other than documents in a small paper express envelope.
Q. How much fabric should I include for the buttons?
A. Generally, triple the button size for each button, plus a little bit of wastage. Fine fabrics require up to 5 layers to produce a quality finished product, so remember to enclose enough fabric accordingly. For lightweight or see-through fabrics (such as organza), please supply a backing fabric, or fuse fabric with an iron-on interfacing.
Q. What is a shank?
A. A shank is the loop (or other) that is behind the button, that allows you to sew it on.
Q. What type of shank should I order for my Fashion project?
A. Metal shanks are the strongest, and generally used for most applications, especially when used through a buttonhole or rouleau loop. Linen shanks are often used in decorative situations, for example, over the zipper closing on a formal/bridal gown. Plastic backs (9mm only) can be used in both applications; they have a flat bottom, so while they will not 'wobble' like the metal shanks, they are not as strong. Linen and plastic shanks are not recommended as the only fastening for tight fitting or corset style garments.
Q. What type of button should I order for my Upholstery project?
A. The regular Upholstery covered buttons are the strongest and most reliable for interior upholstery needs, where the object is not regularly laundered, for example, a sofa. For outdoor use, or boating, you may want to use our Marine Upholstery range, as these will not rust when exposed to the elements. For soft furnishings, such as cushions or curtains, our regular Fashion range is suitable, except where upholstery weight fabrics are required.
Q. Can I use multiple layers of fabric in a covered button?
A. Yes, as long as the layers are not too thick, check with our staff if you are unsure. We frequently make buttons with a netting / lace over a satin, for example.
Q. Are all fabrics suitable for Fashion covered buttons?
A. Most fabrics are suitable, with some exceptions - bouclé, or garment weight leathers can be problematic, as can some heavy laces. Satin fabrics unavoidably produce 'ears' due to the nature of the weave. Check with our staff, a test/sample can be made.
Q. Are all fabrics suitable for Upholstery covered buttons?
A. Most fabrics are suitable, including heavier weight felted wools, etc. If the fabric is finer, (eg. not upholstery weight) we use a double layer so make sure you include enough in your order. Heavy weight leathers must be skived to 0.8mm for optimum results, especially in the smaller sizes (15mm and 18mm), and some vinyls are problematic.
Check with our staff, a test/sample can be made.
Please note: Leather and Vinyl upholstery buttons charged at Marine upholstery prices - if leather is not skived, all failed buttons are paid for.
Q. Can you cover buttons with a placement print?
A. Absolutely! Just let us know what part of the fabric you want us to cover, and we will specially cut each one to fit. Remember to include enough surrounding fabric for each button.
Q. Can beaded or sequinned fabric be made in a covered button?
A. Unfortunately, all beads and sequins either break in the dyes when making, or damage our equipment. Therefore, beads / sequins must be removed from the covered button area before make up. Fabric that is not prepared beforehand attracts a $20 surcharge. You may re-sew beads and sequins after the button has been covered.
We welcome your comments, especially if we can improve our service in any way.
A. We generally have a turnaround time of 24 hours from when we receive the fabric, although we occasionally have busy periods when our turnaround extends to 48 hours. If you require up to 10 buttons to be covered, we may be able to do them while you wait, or on the same day - check with our staff on the day.
Q. How long does the mail order button covering take?
A. Depending on Australia Post and your location, please allow a turnaround of approximately 10 working days. Express Post can expedite the delivery from both ends, check with Australia Post regarding your delivery sector.
Q. What are the postage costs?
A. All orders for covered buttons will be posted in a satchel, with appropriate packaging to avoid any damage. Within Australia, our postage and handling costs start at $10.5 for trackable regular post, and start from $14.00 for trackable express post, see Australia Post. For orders outside Australia, please contact us.
Please note: Australia Post DOES NOT ALLOW sending of items other than documents in a small paper express envelope.
Q. How much fabric should I include for the buttons?
A. Generally, triple the button size for each button, plus a little bit of wastage. Fine fabrics require up to 5 layers to produce a quality finished product, so remember to enclose enough fabric accordingly. For lightweight or see-through fabrics (such as organza), please supply a backing fabric, or fuse fabric with an iron-on interfacing.
Q. What is a shank?
A. A shank is the loop (or other) that is behind the button, that allows you to sew it on.
Q. What type of shank should I order for my Fashion project?
A. Metal shanks are the strongest, and generally used for most applications, especially when used through a buttonhole or rouleau loop. Linen shanks are often used in decorative situations, for example, over the zipper closing on a formal/bridal gown. Plastic backs (9mm only) can be used in both applications; they have a flat bottom, so while they will not 'wobble' like the metal shanks, they are not as strong. Linen and plastic shanks are not recommended as the only fastening for tight fitting or corset style garments.
Q. What type of button should I order for my Upholstery project?
A. The regular Upholstery covered buttons are the strongest and most reliable for interior upholstery needs, where the object is not regularly laundered, for example, a sofa. For outdoor use, or boating, you may want to use our Marine Upholstery range, as these will not rust when exposed to the elements. For soft furnishings, such as cushions or curtains, our regular Fashion range is suitable, except where upholstery weight fabrics are required.
Q. Can I use multiple layers of fabric in a covered button?
A. Yes, as long as the layers are not too thick, check with our staff if you are unsure. We frequently make buttons with a netting / lace over a satin, for example.
Q. Are all fabrics suitable for Fashion covered buttons?
A. Most fabrics are suitable, with some exceptions - bouclé, or garment weight leathers can be problematic, as can some heavy laces. Satin fabrics unavoidably produce 'ears' due to the nature of the weave. Check with our staff, a test/sample can be made.
Q. Are all fabrics suitable for Upholstery covered buttons?
A. Most fabrics are suitable, including heavier weight felted wools, etc. If the fabric is finer, (eg. not upholstery weight) we use a double layer so make sure you include enough in your order. Heavy weight leathers must be skived to 0.8mm for optimum results, especially in the smaller sizes (15mm and 18mm), and some vinyls are problematic.
Check with our staff, a test/sample can be made.
Please note: Leather and Vinyl upholstery buttons charged at Marine upholstery prices - if leather is not skived, all failed buttons are paid for.
Q. Can you cover buttons with a placement print?
A. Absolutely! Just let us know what part of the fabric you want us to cover, and we will specially cut each one to fit. Remember to include enough surrounding fabric for each button.
Q. Can beaded or sequinned fabric be made in a covered button?
A. Unfortunately, all beads and sequins either break in the dyes when making, or damage our equipment. Therefore, beads / sequins must be removed from the covered button area before make up. Fabric that is not prepared beforehand attracts a $20 surcharge. You may re-sew beads and sequins after the button has been covered.
We welcome your comments, especially if we can improve our service in any way.
