Decorative Fasteners

Decorative Fasteners

Decorative fasteners increase the look, convenience and comfort of a garment when selected properly. There are a large variety of decorative fasteners to select from press buttons to zip. They can be used for decorative purpose as well for func-tional purpose. They are made with metal, wood, plain fabric or leather. Decorative fasteners enhance the appearance of any garment. They can be placed in vertical or horizontal lines or it is grouped. Buttons, stud, snaps, hook and eye, zippers, buck-les, velcro, frogging, grommets, magnet brooches are the common type of deco-rative fasteners used. Some of decorative fasteners are described below. 

Bias Binding

Bias bindings are strips cut on bias in con-trasting materials or any material to fin-ish raw edge in any garment. These can be used in place of bias facing while making decorative edges.

Fabric Loops

Fabric loops are cylindrical strips of fab-ric. Generally they are stitched to match the garment. These are used as straps for shoulder and can also be used as loops for fastening button in a garment instead of zip opening. They give a fashionable finish.

Decorative Buttons

The market is filled with various types of decorative buttons. They vary in size, shape, colour and raw materials used. Depending upon the type of garments they should be selected. They are mainly used as decoration and do not have the common function of fastening the garment (Figure 14.16).

Macrame

Macramé is a method of tying cords into knots to form different shapes. It produces a textured effect. It is used as tassels and fringes. Beads can be added at the end. The thickness of cord can be varied to create embossed effect. Variations can be created by using different colour. They can be eas-ily made and are affordable. Half knot and square knot are the common knots used for macramé. They are mainly attached at the edges of the garment to hold them together. Belts and garment strips are made in this method. (Figure 14.17).