Plastic Snaps for Sewing: Benefits, Placement, and Tools
In my experience, plastic snaps can be a convenient fastening option 👌 They can work well on duvet covers and children’s clothing; some children may find a snap easier to manage than a button. On garments for young children, install the snaps securely and inspect them regularly because a loose snap is a small part.
Plastic snap components are often inexpensive, lightweight, and available in many colors. Their resistance to washing, scratching, and repeated use depends on the exact product and its care instructions, so check the manufacturer’s specifications and inspect the fasteners over time.
For a blouse, jacket, or pajamas, a common starting point is to place the top snap about 1.5 cm below the neckline and the bottom snap about 1.5 cm above the lower edge, then divide the remaining distance evenly. Treat this as the author’s layout method rather than a universal rule: check the pattern, garment proportions, and snap manufacturer’s spacing guidance before making holes.
Some plastic snaps use a pronged cap designed to pass between knit fibers rather than requiring a cut hole. Results depend on the fabric and snap system. Test the complete installation on a scrap, reinforce the area if the pattern or manufacturer recommends it, and use a snap size compatible with the fabric thickness.
Most four-part plastic snaps require compatible snap pliers or a press with the correct die for that snap size and brand. The tool joins a cap to a socket on one side and a cap to a stud on the other. Follow the tool and snap manufacturer’s instructions, and keep loose components and pointed prongs away from young children during installation.
I am still deciding whether I need a dedicated tool 🙃 If you already use one, share your experience.
The following video demonstrates one plastic-snap installation method. Check that its tool and snap system match yours before following it.
These snaps are very convenient, but you cannot install them without the special tool. I once found a workaround: an old duvet cover had become worn and partly torn, but the edge with the snaps was still in good condition. I cut off that strip with a seam allowance and sewed it onto a new duvet cover. The raw edges turned under neatly and stayed hidden. I stitched the snap strip to the wrong side, then covered it from the right side with the new fabric. It worked well and cost very little. Similar snap strips can sometimes be salvaged from secondhand bed linen; wash the fabric first and inspect every snap and the surrounding fabric before reuse.