What Are Rivets?
These little metal fasteners consist of two parts: the head, (the decorative top part of the rivet) and the nail (the smaller part that holds it on through the back of the fabric). These two-part fasteners are generally permanent and can be made from a wide variety of materials, including metal. Some rivets are decorative, while other rivets are more functional.
When to Use Rivets
Rivets can be used where a sewing machine can’t completely reinforce with stitching, and secure layers of fabric together permanently. Use them where you have an extra thickness, or when you need to attach two or more widths of fabric.
What Types of Projects Are Rivets Suitable For?
Use rivets for projects where you want to tack pieces of fabric together, such as:
- Leather straps on bags, belts, purses, key fobs, and other items
- Shoes
- Attaching nylon or cotton strapping to projects
- Heavy clothing (i.e., jeans, jean jackets, other thick garments)
- Canvas items
- Upholstery
Of course, rivets can also be decorative as well as functional. Pearl, stud, and rhinestone rivets can be used to add sparkle to costumes, dresses, shirts, shoes, and other garments where a little extra “bling” is required. Purses, briefcases and other bags can be “upgraded” with the addition of different shaped metal rivets, such as the ones in our collection. You can decorate other textile projects such as throw pillows, curtains, and other crafts with unique designs using rivets.
More plain rivets that look like studs are useful for more utilitarian projects such as sails, awnings, painted canvas signs, shop aprons, and furniture covers.
Choosing the Right Rivets for Your Project
Since rivets come in so many different styles and colors, it might be a little overwhelming to find the right one.
Measure the thickness of the fabric you want to attach and connect. The bolt core, or shaft of the rivet, should be slightly longer than the total fabric thickness. If the rivet is too short, the bolt core and the cap won’t attach. If the bolt core is too long, you’ll have a gap in the fabric, and the material can eventually start to fray.
Types of Rivets to Choose From
We offer a variety of different styles of rivets, including:
- Prong Rivets, in a wide range of styles including:
- Rhinestone Rivets in clear and colored “gemstones,” as well as hematite, black, amber, crystals, pearl studs and even spikes
- Acrylic stone rivets, in several colors
- Metal rivets in a wide range of shapes, designs, and metals
- “Mushroom Dome,” a modified round top rivet
- Sam Browne Button & Screw, for non-permanent application (scroll down the page for video)
- Tubular Rivets, used for heavy-duty applications like webbing and leather products (scroll down the page for video)
- Cap rivets are more elegant with rounded caps on both sides and often look like post earrings. They’re applied in the same fashion as other rivets and attach two pieces of fabric, such as leather, with a rounded, smooth finish. Cap rivets are great for both utility (such as purse or bag straps) and decoration (hats, bags, and other heavy-duty items.)
- Jeans Rivets (see below)
Goldstar Tool’s large inventory of rivets ensures that you’ll have the right kind of rivet for your project.
Note each of these individual rivets requires a specific die to set, whether you’re using a hammer and a hand tool for a few, or you’re using one of our heavy-duty press machines to set a large number of them.
Jeans Buttons and Rivets
Let’s face it—jeans need a heavier button than a standard pair of slacks or a skirt. Regular buttons can’t stand up to standard metal buttons, and jeans just don’t look the same with anything else.
Jeans buttons are essentially two-piece rivets, heavier than flat or shank metal buttons, and they hold the waistband together snugly. They’re installed the same way as other rivets, with a nail on the inside of the fabric and the top on the outside. These rivets are used to hold the waistband with a buttonhole.
Our jean buttons come in several different styles and finishes:
- Plain face, with a smooth cover
- Round (looks like a snap)
- Donut Tack, a popular designer model with a hole in the middle
- Traditional Oak Design
- Star Design, with 8 five-pointed stars around the center
- Text design, “High-Quality Guaranteed”
Our jean rivets are great for both embellishment and reinforcing seams. Also called “nipple buttons,” these rivets are traditionally used on the front pocket seams, which are more likely to be pulled or strained from regular use. Riveting these seams down will help the jeans last longer and give it a more polished look. You can also add our jean rivets anywhere to add extra strength to a seam, or just for decoration.
Installing Rivets
Rivets of all kinds consist of two parts and have a straightforward installation. The process is simple:
- Punch an appropriately sized hole in the fabric (not too big, the nail needs to fit tightly)
- Insert the corresponding rivet nail from the inside of the fabric, all the way to the outside
- Place the nail and fabric on the rivet die
- Place the rivet button (while in the fabric) on top of the nail, and apply:
You must make sure that you know exactly where you want the rivet to sit. Since rivets are designed to be permanent, rivets are nearly impossible to remove without damage.
The die is the bottom part that holds the nail when you install the rivet and corresponds to the size of the nail, not the actual button part. It must penetrate the entire thickness of the fabric.
Note that you will need an individual die for each size rivet nail you are using, whether you are installing the rivet by hand, using a manual press, or an automatic machine. Goldstar Tool carries thousands of different dies for each size of rivet, eyelet, and grommet. We also carry hole-cutting dies, which work with all of our hand tools, manual presses, and automatic presses.
Goldstar Tool for All Your Rivet Needs
With a variety of functional and decorative rivets, Goldstar Tool has everything you need for a current project or your company’s newest designs.
You can order all your rivets directly from our website. If you have questions or need something specific, call us at 1.800.868.4419 or email us at sales@goldstartool.com.
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