Garment Fasteners
Snap Buttons: Durable & Fast Fastening Solution
14 July 2026 · 3 min read · By ONSA

Traditional buttons require hand-stitching and eventually come loose. Snap buttons click securely and never fall off. No sewing required—just press or hammer them together. They're incredibly practical for casual wear and children's clothing where durability matters.
What They Are
Two-part metal fasteners (male and female) that click together. Install by pressing or hammering onto fabric. No loose threads, no slipping, no maintenance. They stay securely fastened through countless wears.
Best For
Kids' clothing (safe and secure), casual wear, work garments, and situations where speed matters. Snaps can be hidden behind overlapping fabric or used visibly as design details.
Installation Basics
Mark your snap placement on fabric. Use a setting tool (or hammer with the right setter) to press the male side onto one layer and female side onto the other. That's it. Each snap takes 30 seconds. No hand-sewing skills required.
Finding Snaps
Fabric shops stock snap buttons in various sizes and finishes. Check for quality—cheap snaps corrode or don't lock properly. A snap setting kit (tool plus snaps) is inexpensive and lasts years.
The ONSA Perspective
Snaps are convenient, not necessary. Our students hand-sew buttons beautifully and understand when each fastening method works best. That discernment—choosing the right technique for the situation—is expertise.
You'll learn to create durable garments whether you use snaps or buttons or closures you've mastered by hand. The skill is understanding construction. The tools simply express that skill differently. Master the fundamentals, and you'll adapt to whatever fastening method makes sense for your project.
Learn Garment Construction
Master finishing techniques including button attachment and fastener options.
Explore ONSA CoursesONSA — Online Sewing Academy teaches you to choose the right technique, not just follow tool instructions.