How Do You Take Off a Jean Button Without Breaking It?
Removing jeans buttons which are sewn-on are comparatively manageable than taking off metal rivet-style buttons.
These latter types of buttons are designed that way to bear pressure and still be secure.
Stay with us to know how you can remove the button without breaking it.
Can You Remove a Button From Jeans and Reuse It?
Contents
- Can You Remove a Button From Jeans and Reuse It?
- How To Remove Jeans Button Without Breaking It?
- How to Remove Jeans Button With Pliers?
- How to Remove Jeans Button with Pliers & Screwdriver?
- How to Remove Jeans Button with a Cutter?
- Understanding Two-Part Stud Button
- How To Replace A Button On Your Jeans?
- Why Do Jeans Have Rivets?
No. Traditional jeans buttons, often secured with a rivet, a metal fastener, present a challenge when it comes to removal.
The rivet is driven through the button and fabric and then hammered or pressed together. This process forms a tight bond, typically not designed for detachment.
In my sewing endeavors, I’ve observed that attempting to remove these buttons usually results in damaging either the button or the fabric, or both.
Yet, there’s an alternative in the form of detachable jeans buttons. These are a game changer. They come with a base that’s fastened onto the jeans, and the button element screws into this base.
I’ve used these types of buttons numerous times, finding them incredibly convenient for adjustments or replacements.
Their design allows for easy removal and reattachment, offering a flexible solution for those who like to customize their jeans.
How To Remove Jeans Button Without Breaking It?
Only detachable buttons can be removed without breaking it. If you’re unsure whether a button is detachable, it’s best to proceed with caution to avoid damaging your jeans or the button. If necessary, consult with a professional tailor or seamstress.
Step 1. Prepare Your Tools
Find a Phillips head screwdriver that fits the cross groove of the button. It’s crucial to get the right size to prevent stripping the screw groove.
Step 2. Protect Your Jeans
Place a piece of cloth or soft material between the jeans button and the screwdriver. This will help prevent any accidental damage to the jeans or the button.
Step 3. Unscrew the Button
Carefully insert the Phillips head screwdriver into the cross groove. Hold the fabric tight to prevent it from turning along with the button, then gently turn the screwdriver counter-clockwise to unscrew the button.
Step 4. Remove the Button
Continue turning the screwdriver until the button comes off.
Step 5. Store the Button Safely
Once removed, keep the button in a safe place, especially if you plan on reattaching it later.
How to Remove Jeans Button With Pliers?
I recently needed to remove a button from a pair of jeans and decided to use pliers for the job. Here’s how I did it:
Tools to Use:
- Pliers (two pairs)
- Screwdriver (optional, for stubborn buttons)
- Wire Cutters (if needed)
- Safety Glasses (to protect your eyes)
Step 1: Choose Your Jeans
I laid the jeans flat on a sturdy surface, making sure the area around the button was smooth and accessible. It’s important not to rush this step to avoid damaging the jeans or the rivet.
Step 2: Use Pliers
Using two pairs of pliers, I carefully gripped the button. One plier held the front part of the button, while the other clamped onto the backside of the fabric, right where the button’s back was attached.
Wearing safety glasses is crucial here, as pieces can sometimes fly off unexpectedly. Applying steady pressure is key – too much force can damage the button or fabric.
Step 3: Twist The Button
With a firm grip on both sides, I gently twisted the button. This requires patience and a bit of finesse. In some cases, if the button is of a screw type, you might need to unscrew it.
However, in my case, it was a standard riveted button, so twisting and gently pulling worked.
How to Remove Jeans Button with Pliers & Screwdriver?
To complete the job using a screwdriver, you need to include pliers too. Use both of these tools simultaneously in order to achieve a successful result. Follow the steps mentioned below.
Step 1: Place The Jeans on a Flat Surface
Once you take the jeans, place them on a flat surface. It is preferable to keep the outfit on a hard flat surface. Additionally, ensure performing the task in a spacious area.
Step 2: Use the Pliers
The purpose of using the pliers is to get a grip on both sides. For the first plier, use it for gripping the front side. And for the second plier, grip the other side on the jean’s underside. Always make sure that you have your required face protection while performing the task.
Step 3: Push The Rivet with a Screwdriver
After holding the button with pliers, you need to push the rivet side with the help of a screwdriver. For doing so, implement a leveraging motion to loosen the rivet. This move will help in pulling the sides apart!
That’s it! By performing the aforementioned steps, you’d be able to remove your jeans button without breaking it. But if you think you need a cutter for it, perform the steps mentioned in the third method.
How to Remove Jeans Button with a Cutter?
Below is another method I used to remove a button from a pair of jeans with a cutter, a task that seemed simple at first but required precise handling to prevent any damage to the button.
Step 1: Preparing the Jeans
I started by placing the jeans on a flat, spacious surface, ensuring the back rivet and internal section were facing me. It’s important to choose a clutter-free area, especially away from children and pets.
Step 2: Using a Flat-Head Screwdriver
I carefully inserted a flat-head screwdriver between the rivet’s base and the top section. With gentle but firm prying, I created a small gap. It’s a delicate balance between applying enough force to separate the parts without damaging the fabric or the button.
Step 3: Employing a Wire Cutter
After creating the gap, I slid the cutting edge of a pair of wire cutters underneath the rivet. In this step, steady hands are crucial. The wire cutter’s sharp edge needs to be positioned precisely to avoid slipping and causing damage.
Step 4: Cutting Through the Rivet
The most critical step was squeezing the cutters to snip through the rivet. I applied force cautiously, mindful of the potential to break the button. It’s a moment requiring concentration and a steady grip.
Step 5: Removing the Button
Once the rivet was cut, the button came off relatively easily. Both sides of the button separated, and I carefully removed them from the fabric.
Safety Note: Throughout the process, I wore eye protection, aware of the potential for small parts to fly off unexpectedly. I also ensured that the area was free from pets and children, as the removal process involves sharp tools and small, potentially hazardous parts.
So, that’s it. Now that you have learned the last method, you may try your hands on any of these.
If you think it’s time to replace your button after removing it, you can refer to the steps elucidated below. Let’s explore them through the below-mentioned narrative!
Understanding Two-Part Stud Button
You can spot stud buttons on denim pieces of outfits, including jackets and pants. As working with stud buttons becomes really difficult, you’d require to have an in-depth understanding of its anatomy.
They get securely fastened to materials. Instead of thin layers of thread that connect the fabric’s buttons, these buttons rely on metal rivets. These rivets are attached to the fabric securely.
And removing these buttons from the jeans is always possible. But to ensure that the task gets accomplished without any breakage, you need to avoid ripping and snagging the material’s fibers.
Two-part stud buttons comprise two parts –the button on its front and a stud on the jean’s underside. When they get installed in the denim, the parts are attached together by punching. On designing fronts, they are permanent. That’s the predominant reason why these buttons are so difficult to remove.
The attachment leaves a wide hole in your jeans’ fabric once the button gets detached from it. You may remove the button attached to threads, but this will only leave just a bit of trace.
However, people prefer a more reliable method to prevent visible holes once the task gets completed. And to prevent such issues, you can refer to the below-offered procedure. But before you begin, here are the tools that you will require:
How To Replace A Button On Your Jeans?
Replacing a traditional rivet-style jeans button with a regular button can refresh the look of your jeans. This method works best for jeans with non-standard sized buttonholes. The trick? Creating a thread shank for thick materials like denim.
Wondering about the thread shank? Think of it as a stem, enabling the button to rise slightly from the jeans’ waistband. This essential step ensures there’s enough room for the opposite buttonhole waistband, guaranteeing a snug fit.
Materials Needed:
- Regular button with holes
- Needle and thread (preferably matching your jeans’ color)
- Toothpick, skewer, or a large tapestry needle
Procedure:
1. Select the Right Button: Ensure your chosen button can easily fit through the buttonhole.
2. Prepare Your Tool: For our example, we’ll use a thick toothpick, resembling one side of a buttonhole.
3. Thread Preparation: Use quadrupled thread length for durability. Cut it as long as your wingspan (from one fingertip to another) and fold in half. Thread your needle, aligning the two cut ends slightly longer than the fold.
4. Starting Stitch: On the waistband’s inner side, make a small stitch, running the needle through the thread loop and pull tight. Trim the excess thread.
5. Position the Button: Push the needle to the waistband’s front and through a buttonhole.
6. Toothpick Placement: Place the toothpick on top of the button, between its holes.
7. Secure the Button: Needle above the toothpick and stitch down through the waistband. After several stitches, remove the toothpick and pass the needle between the button and waistband.
8. Finalizing: Pull the button slightly away from the waistband. Wind the thread around, creating a stem underneath the button. Secure and trim the excess thread.
Voila! Your jeans now sport a stylish new button.
Why Do Jeans Have Rivets?
Jeans mostly use rivets styled buttons to secure the waistband and prevent the pants from falling off. These are designed to deal with a lot of pressure, and movement, yet remain stable and secure.
It helps the fabric stay together and helps the jeans to last longer.
These buttons do not come off quickly and have to be applied a lot of force with appropriate tools to take them apart.
Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years.
I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills.
It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.
- How To Hem Chiffon With Tape - January 21, 2024
- How To Fix Ripped Jeans That Ripped Too Much? - January 9, 2024
- How To Make Pants Waist Smaller Without Sewing? - January 8, 2024
