Handicraft clothing thrives on small details that improve function, comfort, and style. Fasteners, trims, and notions decide how a garment opens, adjusts, and expresses identity. Makers who understand materials, stitch behavior, and load paths can match each notion to the task and elevate the result. In this guide to the Top 10 Fasteners Trims and Notions for Handicraft Clothing, you will learn what each item does, how it behaves under stress, and where it fits best. Clear tips on selection, placement, and care will help you produce garments that last longer, look better, and feel comfortable in real use.
#1 Buttons
Buttons add classic closure and visual rhythm. Choose wood, shell, metal, or resin based on wash method, heat tolerance, and desired weight. Match thickness to fabric so the button does not sag or distort the placket. Fuse interfacing behind the buttonhole zone to stop fray and stretch. Space buttons closer at stress points such as the bust and hip. For durability, use a built shank or create a thread shank so the disc clears thick layers. Cross stitch secures well on knits, while parallel stitches suit wovens. Keep a spare inside the hem for quick field repair.
#2 Zippers
Zippers deliver fast, secure closure for skirts, pouches, jackets, and dresses. Coil zippers flex smoothly, metal teeth add strength and shine, while molded plastic resists corrosion in outdoor use. Select open end for jackets and closed end for skirts. Invisible zippers hide in side seams for a clean result. Stabilize seam allowances with lightweight fusible to prevent waving. Use the correct foot, guide the coil straight, and keep stitches even. Bar tack the bottom to stop travel and add a hook at the top for backup security. Press with a cloth so teeth lie flat and the seam looks clean.
#3 Snaps and press studs
Snaps, also called press studs, offer quick single handed closure and a flat profile suited to babywear, shirts, and accessories. They come in plastic or metal, sew on or rivet set with pliers. Match snap size to fabric thickness to avoid pull through. Reinforce the area with twill tape or a small patch of fusible. Test placement with chalk before punching holes. For knit garments, choose prong ring snaps that grip loops securely. Space snaps more densely where tension peaks, such as cuffs and plackets. Tap lightly during setting to align halves and prevent dented caps.
#4 Hook and loop tape
Hook and loop tape provides adjustable hold for adaptive wear, pockets, and children clothing. Choose sew on for garments and adhesive backed for crafts that will not be washed. Place soft loop toward the skin to reduce abrasion. Round the tape corners to prevent peeling. Stitch around the perimeter and add a box X in high stress zones for strength. Close the tape before laundering and brush lint from the hook side to maintain grip. Use narrow widths on lightweight fabrics and wider widths on outerwear. Color match to blend or contrast to highlight function.
#5 Hooks and eyes
Hooks and eyes give a small, discreet secure point at waistbands, plackets, and necklines. They pair well with zippers, since one hook above a skirt zip prevents gaping. Choose coated steel for strength and rust resistance, or clear nylon for sheer fabrics. Stitch the hook to the overlap and the eye to the underlap so the pull locks the parts together. Keep stitches small and tight through a firm base or a stitched thread bar. For thicker layers, use larger sizes or skirt hooks. Check alignment carefully so strain runs straight and does not twist.
#6 Grommets and eyelets
Grommets and eyelets create clean reinforced holes for lacing, drawcords, and ventilation. Use small eyelets for light fabrics and larger grommets for canvas or leather. Always interface the area or add a washer to spread load. Mark positions with a template to keep symmetry on corsetry, hoodies, and bags. Punch holes slightly smaller than the hardware to limit fray. Set with an anvil and die to avoid distorted rims. For rainwear, consider brass or stainless to resist rust. Finish edges by topstitching around the hole line to secure fibers. For soft laces, add a small backing circle of fabric to cushion the metal against skin.
#7 Elastic
Elastic supplies comfortable stretch for waistbands, cuffs, and adaptive fits. Knit elastic suits light knits, woven elastic holds firm in stable wovens, and braided elastic narrows under tension for casings. Pre stretch and steam before cutting to remove factory set length. Use a channel that matches elastic width to avoid twisting. For swimwear, choose chlorine resistant options and topstitch with zigzag to preserve recovery. Join ends with a flat overlap seam to reduce bulk. Mark quarter points before insertion so tension distributes evenly around the body. Cover exposed elastic with a soft facing when worn next to sensitive skin to improve comfort and life.
#8 Drawcords and ties
Drawcords and ties enable adjustable shaping on hoods, waists, and hems while adding a hand made signature. Choose cotton for softness, polyester for durability, or leather for structure. Sew channels with even width and smooth entry points reinforced by eyelets. Use a bodkin or safety pin to thread, then secure ends with knots, bar tacks, or metal tips. For safety, avoid long loops in children clothing and add cord stoppers when needed. Contrast colors highlight design lines, while matching tones blend quietly into the garment. Flat cords reduce pressure points, while round cords glide easily through channels with fewer snags during adjustment.
#9 Bias tape and binding
Bias tape and binding neaten raw edges, frame seams, and add color accents. Cut on true bias so the strip wraps curves without puckers. Choose single fold for encasing edges and double fold for durable finish on armholes and necklines. Make your own tape from garment fabric for perfect match, or buy pre folded for speed. Press in stages, stitch close to the fold, and grade seam allowances to reduce bulk. For quilts and thick layers, use wider binding. Join strips with diagonal seams that spread bulk and remain smooth. Edge stitching from the right side gives a crisp line that reads professional and tidy.
#10 Buckles and sliders
Buckles and sliders allow precise adjustability on belts, straps, overalls, and bags. Select metal for durability or acetal for light weight and noise control. Pair widths to strap size so the teeth or bars grip evenly. Anchor strap ends with bar tacks or a box X stitch pattern for strength. Seal synthetic edges with heat or fold and stitch cotton ends to resist fray. For garments, low profile hardware reduces snag risk and layers smoothly under outerwear. Quick release side buckles add ease, while ladder locks hold position without slipping. Test adjusters on scrap to confirm grip and to tune stitch placement before final assembly.