Quick answer: Vintage heart enamel buttons are heart-shaped buttons with a marbled enamel center and a gold-tone scalloped trim, designed to add a sweet, elegant accent to cardigans, knitwear, dresses and craft projects. They come in five colors and three sizes from 15mm to 25mm, with a shank back and 6 buttons in every set.
Vintage heart enamel buttons are an easy way to bring a romantic, jewel-like detail to your sewing and craft projects. With their heart silhouette, swirled enamel center and delicate gold-tone trim, they look like tiny pieces of jewelry, but with five colors and three sizes to choose from, how do you pick the right ones? This buying guide explains what these buttons are, what to look for before you buy, and how to sew and style them so every project looks its best.
At a Glance
- Design: Heart shape with a marbled enamel center and gold-tone scalloped trim
- Material: Metal frame with a smooth epoxy enamel fill
- Back: Shank (loop) back
- Colors: White, Coffee, Green, Blue and Black
- Sizes: 15mm, 20mm and 25mm
- Pack: 6 buttons per set
- Best for: Cardigans, knitwear, dresses, blouses, children’s wear and DIY crafts
What Are Vintage Heart Enamel Buttons?
Vintage heart enamel buttons are decorative shank buttons shaped like a heart, with a marbled enamel center framed by a gold-tone scalloped edge. The swirled enamel fill means no two buttons look exactly alike, so each one adds a subtle, one-of-a-kind charm, while the polished gold-tone trim gives every piece a refined, jewel-like finish. They work as both working closures and pretty decorative accents.
What Are Heart Enamel Buttons Made Of?
These buttons are made from a durable metal frame filled with a smooth epoxy enamel center, finished with a gold-tone scalloped trim. The marbled, enamel-look face is a glossy epoxy fill rather than solid stone or real gold, and the warm gold-tone frame contrasts beautifully with the soft enamel colors. The result is a button that feels substantial and looks decorative, suiting both everyday and dressier pieces.
Why Are Heart Enamel Buttons an Easy Style Upgrade?
Swapping plain buttons for heart enamel ones is one of the cheapest ways to lift a garment. Because the heart shape, marbled enamel and gold-tone trim read like a small piece of jewelry, even changing a few basic buttons can instantly make a cardigan or dress look more polished and intentional. A row of matching hearts gives a sweet, coordinated finish, while a single larger heart makes a romantic accent on a pocket, cuff or collar.
How Do You Choose the Right Heart Enamel Buttons?
Color
Pick the color based on the effect you want. White and coffee give a soft, neutral look for everyday pieces, while green, blue and black add a bolder, more eye-catching accent. Choose a single color for a coordinated finish, or mix several shades for a playful, custom design.
Size
Match the button to the weight of your garment. The 15mm size suits cuffs, collars, baby clothes and lightweight fabrics; 20mm works for most shirts, cardigans and dresses; and 25mm makes a bolder statement on coats, jackets and bags. If you are replacing existing buttons, measure both your buttonhole and the original button first.
Back & Attachment
These have a shank (loop) back, so they sit neatly on top of the fabric and stitch on through the loop, with no holes showing on the front. The shank keeps stitching hidden and gives a clean, finished look, which is especially nice on knitwear and soft garments.
Quantity
Each set contains 6 buttons, which covers most cardigans, dresses and craft projects. Order a spare set if you need extra for a long coat or want to keep a few for future repairs.
What Colors Are Vintage Heart Enamel Buttons Available In?
These heart enamel buttons come in five versatile colors. Use the quick guide below to choose the right shade for your project.
| Color | Look | Pairs well with |
|---|---|---|
| White | Soft, neutral, everyday | Cream, pastels, denim, navy |
| Coffee | Warm, understated neutral | Beige, camel, brown, cream |
| Green | Bold, fresh accent | Cream, navy, earthy tones |
| Blue | Cool, eye-catching accent | White, denim, grey, navy |
| Black | Classic, high-contrast | White, cream, grey, bold colors |
What Size Heart Enamel Buttons Should You Buy?
The heart shape and gold-trimmed enamel make these buttons fun to style in lots of ways:
- Run a row of matching hearts down a cardigan or dress for a sweet, coordinated look.
- Use one larger 25mm heart as a romantic accent on a plain pocket, cuff or collar.
- Mix two or three colors for a playful, custom finish on kids’ wear or craft projects.
- Refresh a thrifted cardigan or blouse by swapping the original buttons.
- Stitch them onto bags, hair accessories and craft projects as decorative accents.
How Do You Sew On a Shank Heart Button?
- Mark the button position and thread a needle, doubling the thread and knotting the end.
- Bring the needle up from the back of the fabric to where the shank will sit.
- Pass the needle through the shank loop, then back down through the fabric.
- Repeat several times through the same loop until the button feels secure.
- Finish with a few small stitches on the back of the fabric and knot the thread.
How Do You Care for Heart Enamel Buttons?
To keep the enamel and gold-tone finish looking their best, hand wash garments with these buttons, or fasten them inside a laundry bag if machine washing. Avoid bleach, harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners that can dull the surface, and wipe the buttons clean with a soft, dry cloth. Store somewhere dry away from direct heat between projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are vintage heart enamel buttons made of? They are made of a metal frame filled with a smooth epoxy enamel center and finished with a gold-tone scalloped trim, so the gold is a metal tone rather than real or solid gold.
Are they shank or sew-through? They have a shank (loop) back, so you stitch them on through the loop with no holes showing on the front.
What colors are available? They come in five colors: white, coffee, green, blue and black.
What size should I buy? Choose 15mm for cuffs and baby clothes, 20mm for shirts and cardigans, and 25mm for coats and statement details.
How many buttons come in a set? Each set contains 6 buttons.
Rule of Thumb
For cardigans and dresses, 20mm hearts are the easy all-rounder; go 25mm for coats and statement details, and 15mm for cuffs, collars and baby clothes.
Where to Buy
Ready to add a sweet, romantic touch to your next project? Browse our vintage heart enamel buttons in five colors and three sizes, and pick the shade and size that suit your garments.
Can You Buy Heart Enamel Buttons Wholesale?
Yes. Alongside single sets for home sewing, these heart enamel buttons are available for wholesale and bulk orders, with trade pricing for boutiques, clothing brands, tailors and craft studios. If you are buying in volume to stock a shop or for production runs, get in touch for a wholesale quote and bulk availability.
Recommended Reading
- The Complete Buying Guide to Vintage Marbled Buttons
- The Complete Buying Guide to Chain Edge Buttons
- The Complete Buying Guide to Metal Sunflower Buttons