Double-Cap Rivets vs Cover Buttons: Which Fastener to Use?
By Prymamericas.com: Sewing, quilting, and knitting supplies | Published: 2026-11-05
Category: Guias de Compra
Double-cap rivets and cover buttons solve different fastening problems. Compare materials, tools, and no-sew options to pick the right one for your project.
Quick answer
Choose double-cap rivets when you need a permanent, decorative joint through thick or layered materials like leather, vinyl, or canvas. Choose a cover button kit when you want a fabric-covered button that can be sewn on or glued into jewelry and magnets.
Permanent hold vs removable cover
Double-cap rivets are designed to secure multiple layers together and stay put; they are not meant to be undone. Cover buttons, by contrast, are a finishing touch: you wrap fabric around the button shell and either sew through the shank or glue a flat back to a finding. That makes cover buttons easy to swap or coordinate with different fabrics, while rivets are a one-time commitment.
Materials and thickness
Rivets work on fabric, vinyl, leather, canvas, belting, and other materials, so they suit bags, straps, and heavy-duty accessories. Cover buttons are built around fabric: the kit includes a clear template to center, trace, and cut your design, which helps with precise fussy-cutting. If your project is mostly fabric and you want a matching button, cover buttons are the natural fit; if you need to join thick layers, rivets are the better tool.
No-sew options and tools
Both products offer no-sew routes, but they differ. Rivets are inherently no-sew: you set them with the included tools to clamp layers together. Cover buttons can also be no-sew when you use the flat backs and glue jewelry findings or magnets, but the shank-back version is designed to be sewn on. The cover button kit includes two back types, so you can choose per project. Note that the rivet set includes tools, while the cover button kit includes a template; check whether you already own the required setting tool or glue before buying.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Permanence: Rivets are permanent once set; cover buttons can be removed and resewn or reglued if needed. If you might change the design later, cover buttons are more forgiving.
- Material range: Rivets handle leather, vinyl, canvas, and belting; cover buttons are intended for fabric and craft applications. Match the fastener to your main material before buying.
- Tool and template needs: The rivet set includes tools for setting; the cover button kit includes a clear template for cutting fabric but requires a shank or glue for finishing. Check your stash for glue or a sewing machine before choosing the cover button route.
Product facts
- Double-Cap Rivets & Tools, 120 Sets: Double-cap rivets provide a finished appearance on both the front and back of the project. That clean look on both sides makes them suitable for reversible or visible-back items like belts and bag straps.
Double-Cap Rivets & Tools, 120 Sets - 7∕8" Craft Cover Buttons & Tools, 60 Sets: The cover button kit includes two types of button backs: shank backs for sewing and flat backs for gluing findings or magnets. You can use one kit for both sewn garments and no-sew accessories, which adds flexibility for mixed craft projects.
7∕8" Craft Cover Buttons & Tools, 60 Sets
Which should you choose?
Best for
- Bag makers and leathercrafters joining thick layers
- Anyone needing a decorative, permanent fastener on both sides
Not for
- Projects where you want to swap buttons to match different outfits
- Delicate fabrics that cannot withstand a rivet hole
