QuiltCon Button Display

As I was unpacking from QuiltCon, I started to think about what I was going to do with all of the buttons I received during the button swap.  I did not just want to put them in a jar only to wind up as clutter somewhere in my closet; I wanted to see them each day in my sewing room as a reminder of all of the wonderful quilters I had met during QuiltCon.

I decided to make a little display for the buttons for my sewing room wall and am posting a short tutorial so you can too!  I used the same technique as my Boy Scout Badge Display Tutorial, just using a smaller frame.

For the display you will need:

• A picture frame (I had one old one in my closet but you could buy one from JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, or the like).  I used a frame with an 8" x 10" opening.
• Batting at least as big as the frame plus 2" on each side
• Fabric at least as big as the frame plus 2" on each side.
• Tape (masking tape or duct tape).

I used some batting scraps as my batting and some dark blue fabric as my background so the buttons (most having a lighter background) would have good contrast against the background.

Step 1 - Disassemble the frame keeping the actual frame, the backing material (usually corrugated cardboard), and the hanging hard wear.

Step 2 - Arrange on the floor in order:

1. Fabric right side down
2. Batting
3. Frame backing

Step 3 - Trim batting and fabric to about 2" all around the cardboard.

Step 4 - Wrap the batting and fabric around the cardboard and tape in place with tape (similar to recovering a chair cushion).  I first taped down a first pair of opposite sides, then the second pair of opposite sides and corners.   Don't worry about how the back looks, just make sure that the front does not have any wrinkles.

Step 5 - Place the wrapped frame backing into the frame, secure in place and attach hanging hardware.  Now for the fun part, stick in all of your buttons in any pattern you like.

I hope you try this tutorial and create some wonderful memorabilia from your buttons of QuiltCon 2015!

I am linking up to Link a Finish Friday, Whoop Whoop Friday, Thank Goodness Its Finished Friday, Finish It Up Friday, Fabric Frenzy Friday,  Sewjo @ My Go Go Life, and Show Off Saturday @ Sew She Can.

I am also linking up with the linky party Tips and Tutorials Tuesday over at the Late Night Quilter's blog.