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Fresh Prints
Printing with buttons gives a quirky alternative to a polka dot print. One colour makes them more sophisticated, but more colours = more fun!

Posted by Quadrille • Published 28th April 2014 • See Quadrille's 56 projects » © 2024 Christine Leech / Quadrille · Reproduced with permission. · Simple Makes series: Fresh Prints by Christine Leech (Quadrille, £12.99) Photography by Keiko Oikawa

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Xfluffy_unitatoX favorited Button Boots 19 Nov 23:24
sarcastic rainbow added Button Boots to stylish 11 Oct 16:00
sarcastic rainbow favorited Button Boots 11 Oct 15:12
Rachel's Craft Channel favorited Button Boots 01 May 18:47
Quadrille published her project Button Boots 11 Apr 16:11

Step 1
Make two rough semicircles from the cardboard to place inside the toes of your shoes. This gives a firmer base to print onto. Also stick some tape around the rubber edge and remove any shoe laces.
Step 2
Choose a variety of buttons in different shapes and sizes. The buttons that work best are ones that have a very flat side and no indentations or ridges. If they are shiny, give them a light rub with sandpaper on the flat side to help the ink adhere better.
Step 3
Mix up a grey ink on the glass plate and roll it out to a fine consistency.
Step 4
The best way to get firm and even pressure on the button is to stick it directly to your index finger using double-sided tape.
Step 5
Roll the ink onto the button and begin printing. To get a good print, use your index finger and thumb in a pinching action with the boot fabric inbetween, pressing the fabric onto the button. Swap buttons occasionally so you get an attractive random pattern.
Step 6
Roll out some orange ink and print a few buttons to add colour. Leave to dry overnight.