A dress can be cut and sewn perfectly and still let you down at the very last step, when the neckline gapes or the waistband pops open because the fastener was the wrong one.
Fasteners are small and cheap, which is exactly why they get chosen in a hurry. Spend two minutes on the right type and size and your garment closes flat, stays closed, and looks finished from the inside as well as the outside.
The four fasteners worth knowing
Sew-on snap fasteners
Also called press studs. Two halves that click together, used wherever an opening carries little strain.
Hooks and eyes
The small hook above a zip or on a waistband. They hold under tension where a snap would pull apart.
Eyelets
Metal rings that reinforce a hole for a drawstring, lacing or a curtain rod.
Magnetic buttons
A closure that finds itself, which is why handbags and pouches use them.
Choosing the right snap size
With press studs the size does most of the work. Too small and the snap opens every time you move; too large and it shows through the fabric as a hard little lump.
| Snap size | Use it on |
|---|---|
| 6 to 9 mm | Blouses, linings, babywear, the top of a zip |
| 11 to 15 mm | Skirts, children's jackets, cushion openings |
| 17 mm and up | Coats, bags, heavy cushions and covers |
The everyday choice
Prym sew-on snap fasteners
From KES 900
Prym has been making fasteners in Germany for centuries, and you can feel it in the click. These brass snaps close firmly, do not rust in the wash, and need nothing more than a needle and thread to fit.
Sizes from 6 mm to 30 mm
See the snap fasteners
For waistbands and zip tops
Prym hooks and eyes
From KES 750
When an opening is under strain, a hook and eye is what keeps it shut. Sew one above every dress zip and the zip will stop creeping down, and the neckline will sit flat instead of standing open.
See the hooks and eyesHow to sew on a snap so it stays on
Mark the position on both layers first. Rub chalk on the ball half, close the opening and press, and the mark shows you where the socket goes.
Use a doubled thread and take three or four stitches through each hole, working over the edge of the snap.
Pass the needle under the snap from one hole to the next, so no thread crosses the top.
Stitch through the facing only, never through to the right side of the garment.
Non-sew press fasteners
These are the ring snaps you see on baby vests, romper legs and duvet covers. They are pressed into the fabric instead of being stitched, so they go on in seconds and never come loose in the wash.
For babywear and stretch fabric
Prym non-sew press fasteners, jersey
From KES 1,600
Made for knit and stretch fabrics. A ring of small prongs grips the jersey without cutting a hole in it, which is why they are the standard choice for baby clothes.
See the jersey press fasteners
The tool that fits them
Prym Vario pliers
KES 4,400
One squeeze sets a press fastener neatly and squarely, with no hammering. The pliers also punch holes and fit eyelets, so if you sew babywear, bags or anything to sell, they pay for themselves quickly.
See the Vario pliersEyelets and magnets
Prym 14 mm brass eyelets with washers give a clean, strong hole for drawstring bags, laced bodices and curtains. For handbags and pouches, our magnetic buttons cost KES 150 and close with a satisfying snap every time.
Bring the garment with you
Show us the fabric and the opening at our shop on the 1st floor of Sarit Centre and we will pick the fastener and size that suits it.
Shop fasteners and buttonsOr call us on +254 798 316860
In Stitches is the authorised Prym distributor in Kenya.
Prices correct at the time of writing.
