Maya Ellison
KAM snaps, or plastic fasteners, are a great alternative to buttons. They are bright, colourful, fun, and can be used on any sewing project. They require no sewing, no complicated buttonholes, and can be installed in less than a minute. They are also inexpensive and simple to use. Before installing them, you will need to purchase KAM snap pliers, which are a very small initial investment. If your fabric is too thin, you will need to add a stabilizer or a small piece of fabric to make the snap work.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Installation | Requires KAM snap pliers or a table press |
| Ease of use | Quick and easy to install once the technique is learned |
| Sewing | Requires no sewing |
| Buttonholes | Requires no complicated buttonholes |
| Time | Can be installed in less than a minute |
| Strength | Requires strength to remove |
| Fabric | Requires a stabilizer or a small piece of fabric if the fabric is too thin |
| Size | Comes in various sizes, including 16 and 20 |
| Shape | Comes in various shapes, including circles, hearts, and stars |
| Colour | Comes in a wide range of colours |
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Using pliers
First, mark the fabric where you want to install the snaps. Then, place the poky backing piece with a prong (the white circle or yellow star) through the hole. Place the purple cup (female) piece on the prong, purple cup up. You should now have a "sandwich": the backing prong at the bottom, the fabric in the middle, and the purple female snap at the top, facing up. Nestle the backing circle/star into the black cup of the orange-handled snap-setting tool. Check that the purple piece is still on the prong, then push it down. Squeeze the handles of the pliers hard until the post in the cap is squashed down. The post from your cap should now be holding the stud in place.
To attach the other half of the snap, place your completed socket half in its finished position, overlapping the fabric panel into which you'll be inserting the studs. Use the socket as a guide for stud placement. You can eyeball it, or press the socket into the opposite fabric and place a mark at the impression point. Now, repeat the process above to attach the socket part of the snap pair to the other cap.
If you make a mistake, you can use a flathead screwdriver and sharp scissors between the backing circle/star piece and the snap piece to remove it. However, it is difficult to remove without damaging the fabric or yourself, so caution is advised.
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Sandwiching the snap
Firstly, mark the position of the snap on the fabric. This can be done by "eyeballing it" or by pressing the socket into the fabric to create an impression and then placing a mark at that point. It is also a good idea to test the snap function at this stage to ensure both pieces are in place and working.
Now, use an awl to poke a hole through the marked spot. Then, take the poky backing piece with a prong (the white circle or yellow star) and insert it through the hole, ensuring the prong faces up. Place the fabric on top of the backing prong, creating a sandwich-like structure.
Next, position the purple cup (female) piece on the prong, ensuring it faces up. At this point, you should have a sandwich-like structure with the backing prong at the bottom, the fabric in the middle, and the purple female snap at the top. It is important to check that all pieces are securely in place before proceeding.
Finally, use a snap-setting tool to secure the assembly. Place the backing circle/star into the black cup of the snap-setting tool, ensuring the purple piece remains on the prong. Then, squeeze the tool handles firmly so that the clear piece (bumper) presses down onto the assembled sandwich. You should hear a squishing sound as the clear bit is squashed, and the pointy prong of the backing piece will be mashed into a blob, securely holding the purple female side of the snap in place.
If you are using KAM snaps, you will need to use KAM snap pliers. Place the snap into the pliers, ensuring the cap at the bottom sits snugly in the black disk, and align the stud with the pushing disk at the top. Squeeze the pliers' handles hard until the post in the cap is squashed down, holding the stud securely in place. Repeat this process to attach the socket part of the snap.
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Fabric thickness
When attaching snaps to fabric, it is important to consider the thickness of the fabric. The thickness of the fabric will determine the type of snap fastener to use and the technique for attaching it.
For thin fabrics, plastic snaps are generally recommended. Metal snaps are not suitable for thin or lightweight fabrics as they may leave marks or be difficult to attach. If using plastic snaps, it is important to ensure that the fabric is not too thin, as this can cause the snap to come apart. In such cases, it is recommended to use long prong snaps or to snip the top of the post with nail clippers to allow the middle to be pushed closer to the fabric. Additionally, a fusible stabilizer can be added to the wrong side of the fabric to provide more support. It is also important to note that fabric that is too thin may require a different fastening method altogether, such as buttons, sew-on snaps, snap tape, or hook-and-eye closures.
For medium-weight fabrics, either plastic or metal snaps can be used. Pronged snaps and sew-in snaps are suitable for medium-weight fabrics and can provide a secure fastening. It is recommended to use a size 20 snap for medium-weight fabrics, as smaller snaps may not hold securely.
For thick fabrics, longer prongs may be required to accommodate the extra thickness. Metal snaps are generally recommended for thick fabrics, such as denim and leather. Bigger snap sizes, such as size 24, are suitable for heavier materials. If the fabric is not thick enough for the snap, it can be reinforced with interfacing or an additional layer. For very thick fabrics, such as canvas, it may be necessary to use a hole punch to create a small pilot hole before inserting the snap.
It is important to test the thickness of the fabric and the snap closure before proceeding with attachment. Practising on a scrap piece of fabric can help determine the suitability of the snap and the technique for attaching it.
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Snap placement
KAM snaps, or plastic fasteners, are a great alternative to buttons. They are bright, colourful, and functional. They can be used on a variety of items, from baby bibs to purses, bags, and pillow covers. They are easy to install and require no sewing or complicated buttonholes.
When attaching plastic snaps, it is important to consider the placement of the snaps for optimal functionality. Here are some key considerations for snap placement:
- Male and Female Sides: The male side of the snap is the one that pokes out, while the female side goes in. The male side is typically placed on the flap part of the item, while the female side is placed on the main body.
- Fabric Thickness: Consider the thickness of the fabric when placing the snaps. If the fabric is too thin, you may need to add a stabilizer or a small piece of fabric to support the snap. On the other hand, if the fabric is too thick, you may need to use longer prong snaps or a table press for installation.
- Practice on Scrap Fabric: Before placing the snaps on your final project, it is recommended to practice snap placement on a scrap piece of fabric. This will help you get a feel for the technique and ensure that the snaps are placed correctly.
- Direction of the Snap: Ensure that the snap is facing the correct direction for its intended function. Consider whether the lapped side should be wrong side over right side, wrong sides together, or other configurations.
- Snap Size: Choose the appropriate snap size based on the project. For example, size 16 snaps are easier to open and are recommended for items like onesies, while size 20 is suggested for most other projects.
- Delicate Fabrics: If you are working with delicate fabrics, opt for smaller snaps, such as size 16, as they require less pressure to open and will cause less wear and tear on the fabric.
- Stabilization: If you are placing snaps on a thin or delicate fabric, it is crucial to stabilize the area before installing the snaps. This can be done by adding a small piece of fabric or a stabilizer to reinforce the snap placement.
- Testing: Before finalizing the snap placement, test the snaps to ensure they function properly. Check that the male and female sides snap together securely and align correctly with the fabric.
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Snap sizes
The "size" of a snap refers to the cap diameter and is usually referred to as "size" or "line" or "ligne" in the industry. However, this "size" does not correspond to any actual measurements. For example, a size 20 snap has a cap diameter of 12.4mm. It is important not to confuse a snap's "size" with its actual measurements. KAMsnaps.com offers snaps ranging in size from 14 to 24.
Size 20 snaps are the most popular and are commonly used for general applications, including baby diapers, clothing, and household projects. They are also known as T5 and have a 1/2" wide diameter cap. They can be used for most general projects. To attach size 20 snaps, you will need special pliers with a divot and a rod with a soft plastic cover. The smallest rod (A) should be used for size 20 snaps or smaller.
Size 16 snaps are commonly used for baby and toddler clothing, mama pads, and multiple layers of grosgrain ribbon. They have shorter prongs compared to size 20 caps, making them more suitable for thinner materials. Size 16 caps can also be used with size 20 sockets and studs for a stronger grip. Size 16 snaps have a cap size of ⅜" and require a ½" divot and the small rod (A) for attachment.
Size 22 snaps have a cap size of ⅝" and require a ¾" divot and the large rod (B) for attachment.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic snaps, also known as KAM snaps, are a great alternative to buttons. They are bright, colourful, fun, and inexpensive. You can buy them from Amazon, eBay, or other smaller fabric and patchwork shops.
You will need to purchase KAM snap pliers, which are a very small initial investment. Sometimes they come in a kit with a few snaps, otherwise, you can purchase the plastic snaps separately.
First, use an awl to poke a hole through the place you are putting the snap. Put the backing piece with a prong (the white circle or yellow star) through the hole. Place the female snap piece on the prong, facing up. Nestle the backing circle/star into the black cup of the snap setting tool. Check that the female piece is still on the prong and push it down. Squeeze the snap setting tool so the clear piece presses hard down onto the backing. Release the snap setting tool. Repeat with the male snap piece instead of the female snap piece.
