Shrinky Dinks Buttons Tutorial

I have been a busy bee creating my Spring 2013 line with my own custom designed fabric. I have also decided to create my own buttons as well, using the shrink plastic: Shrinky Dinks! Want to make some yourself? Well, in this tutorial, I show you how. Plus, I have provided a free button template so you can create your own designs, as well as, a separate PDF of my own designs I am sharing with you guys! Enjoy!

Here's What You'll Need:

• Shrinky Dinks Pack for Ink Jet Printers
• Ink Jet Printer
• Printer Ink
• Cookie Sheet
• Brown Paper Bag
• Scissors
• Hole Punch
• Oven
• Oven Mitts
• Blank Button Template: http://www.pdfhost.net/index.php?Action=Download&File=7456fa5ff3fdae638a7775eadaba8aa5 (Download on PDF Host)
• Or Poofhawk's Button Designs: http://www.pdfhost.net/index.php?Action=Download&File=cabbc3853d14889ed2dbf67413285be6 (Download on PDF Host)

Step 1: Create your own button designs using the blank button template or just use Poofhawk's button designs. Please note that the color of your design should be lightened about 50% of the desired color. When your buttons shrink, the color will darken. Next,  Place one sheet of the Shrinky Dinks in your printer and print your design out. Then, take your scissors and cut all the circles out.

Step 2: Using the inner circles of your buttons as a guide, take your hole punch and punch them out. The actual holes will be bigger than the printed circles.

Step 3: Cut a rectangular piece off of the brown paper bag and place it in the cookie sheet with one corner turned up. This will make it easier to remove from the sheet. Next, place your buttons in the sheet, color side up, about 1" apart from one another. The plastic tends to move while shrinking and the 1" spacing will make sure they don't end up touching one another.

Step 4: Heat your oven to 285 Degrees Fahrenheit and place your cookie sheet inside. Bake for about 5 minutes and 30 Seconds. After they are done baking, get your oven mitts and take your buttons out. Separate the paper from the cookie sheet and allow your buttons to cool for about 15 seconds before removing from the paper.

And Your Finished!

Now take your awesome new buttons and refashion an old cardigan, shirt or shorts!