6 Best Snap Fasteners For Clothing Closures To Use
Upgrade your sewing projects with our expert guide to the 6 best snap fasteners for clothing. Read the full review now to find the perfect closure for you.
Choosing the right fastener is often the final, critical step in transforming a hand-knit garment from a craft project into a professional-grade piece. A poorly chosen snap can ruin the drape of a delicate sweater or fail to secure the weight of a heavy wool coat. Understanding the mechanical differences between these closures ensures that the effort put into stitches is not undermined by hardware failure. This guide breaks down the essential snap options to help align your finishing techniques with the demands of your specific yarn and fabric choices.
Dritz Heavy Duty Snaps: Best for Outerwear
When working with dense, boiled wool or heavy-gauge fisherman’s sweaters, lightweight closures will buckle under the fabric’s natural weight. Dritz Heavy Duty snaps provide the necessary structural integrity for garments that require robust, reliable performance. They are specifically engineered to withstand the constant tugging and tension common in structured outerwear.
These snaps are typically made of metal and require a specialized setting tool or a hammer and anvil kit. Because they bite deeply into the material, they are not suitable for fine-gauge yarns or loose, airy lace work that could easily tear or distort. Always test the setting process on a swatch of the same fabric thickness and reinforcement as the final garment.
The primary tradeoff here is the force required to open the snap. While secure, they can be difficult for children or those with limited hand dexterity to operate. For a durable coat or a heavy utility vest, however, their strength is unparalleled.
KAM Snaps Plastic Snaps: Best for Kidswear
Plastic KAM snaps are a staple for children’s garments due to their lightweight nature and vibrant color variety. Unlike metal alternatives, they are lead-free and hypoallergenic, which is vital for skin that comes into direct contact with baby soft fibers like bamboo or merino wool. Their smooth, rounded surface is gentle on sensitive skin.
Installing these requires a specialized plier tool that crushes the plastic prong to secure the snap to the fabric. Because they are made of resin, they do not have the same longevity as high-grade steel, but they are exceptionally easy to replace if one should break. They work best on woven cotton facings or reinforced knitted plackets.
Avoid using these on high-stress areas like waistbands that pull heavily during wear, as plastic can crack under extreme distortion. Stick to low-tension areas like baby rompers or decorative cardigan closures. Their biggest advantage remains the ease of matching the snap color perfectly to your hand-dyed yarn palette.
Dritz Sew-On Snaps: Best for Delicate Fabrics
Sometimes, the fabric is too thin, fragile, or precious to risk a mechanical punch. Silk-mohair blends, fine lace weight garments, or hand-dyed singles can be permanently damaged by the metal prongs of heavy-duty snaps. In these cases, traditional sew-on snaps are the only safe choice.
These snaps consist of two metal halves with small holes at the edges for thread. The skill lies in the sewing: use a double strand of high-quality polyester thread and a sturdy buttonhole stitch to ensure they do not pull away from the delicate fibers. This method keeps the integrity of your knitting intact without creating holes.
The main drawback is that they do not offer the same “snap” sensation as mechanical ones. They are also prone to shifting if the knitting is overly stretchy or loosely blocked. To mitigate this, always anchor the snap to a small strip of ribbon or interfacing on the inside of the placket to provide a stable foundation.
Clover Magnetic Snaps: Best for Easiest to Install
Magnetic snaps are a brilliant solution for bags, totes, or the front closures of shawls and heavy cardigans that don’t need a high-tension lock. They feature a simple prong-back mechanism that requires no hammers, pliers, or special setting tools. Simply fold the prongs through a small slit in your fabric or knitted facing and secure them with the provided metal washer.
Their strength lies in convenience and ease of use. Because they use magnets, they essentially “find” their own closing point, making them ideal for individuals who struggle with the fine motor control required to align traditional snap halves. They add a clean, sophisticated look to the finished piece.
Be aware that these magnets can be bulky and may cause thin fabrics to sag or pull downward. They are best suited for projects where the fabric has a bit of “heft” or structure, such as felted wool or heavy-weight double knitting. Ensure the fabric is firmly reinforced so the weight of the magnet does not eventually stretch the knitting into a hole.
The Snap Source Snaps: Best Professional Finish
For those who want to avoid the mass-produced look of standard notions, The Snap Source offers high-quality, professional-grade hardware. Their products are favored by makers who want a tailored, boutique appearance for their garments. The finish is consistent, and the snap action is smooth, providing a tactile quality that signals luxury.
These often require specific dies and a heavy-duty press, which is an investment compared to a basic hand tool. However, the result is a snap that feels engineered rather than merely attached. This is an excellent choice for a high-end project like a hand-knit blazer or a structured wool jacket.
Consider the cost versus the project life cycle when opting for these professional-grade snaps. If you are creating an heirloom piece that will be washed and worn for decades, the extra investment in high-quality hardware is justified. If the garment is intended for a single season, standard options may suffice.
Dritz Pearl Snaps: Best Decorative Option
Pearl snaps provide an aesthetic flourish that defines the “Western” or “Vintage” look in knitting. These are excellent for elevating a simple knit top or adding character to a children’s sweater. The pearlescent finish adds a touch of elegance that breaks up the monochromatic look of solid-colored yarn.
Like the Dritz Heavy Duty snaps, these generally use a prong-back system. They are quite sturdy but can be prone to scratching or chipping if treated roughly. Because the decorative top is more exposed, they are best placed in areas that avoid constant abrasion against other surfaces.
When installing, take care to press the prongs squarely; if the pearl top is tilted, it can look unrefined. Use a protective cloth between your setting tool and the pearl to prevent marring the finish. They are a purely stylistic choice that elevates the final look of any handmade garment.
How to Choose the Right Snap Fastener Size
Selecting the wrong size can lead to the snap popping open under the slightest pressure or being too difficult to manage. Measure the thickness of your finished, blocked fabric before deciding. A snap designed for thin poplin will not reach through a double layer of Aran-weight wool.
- Small (approx. 7-9mm): Ideal for fine gauge knitting, baby clothes, and lightweight lace.
- Medium (10-12mm): Versatile for standard cardigans and medium-weight fabrics.
- Large (15mm+): Reserved for thick coats, heavy outerwear, and structural designs.
Always check the package for the “fabric depth” capacity. If the snap is too shallow for your fabric, the fastener will be under constant stress and will eventually fail. When in doubt, lean toward a larger snap size for better grip on thicker fibers.
Sew-On vs. No-Sew Snaps: Which Is for You?
The decision between sew-on and no-sew snaps comes down to the risk of fiber damage versus the need for structural strength. No-sew snaps are mechanically set, meaning they puncture the knitting. On delicate protein fibers like silk or fine wool, this can cause “runs” or laddering if the yarn is not properly stabilized.
Sew-on snaps are non-invasive and preserve the yarn. However, they lack the “pop” of a mechanical snap and can sometimes look a bit “homemade” if the stitching isn’t precise. Use sew-on versions when you are working with luxury yarns where any hole-punched metal would be a tragedy.
Reserve no-sew options for plant fibers like cotton or acrylic, which are more resistant to the tearing forces of a setting tool. If you choose a no-sew snap on wool, ensure the area is heavily reinforced with interfacing or a tight crochet chain to lock the fibers in place. This prevents the metal from migrating through the stitches over time.
Essential Tools for Installing Snap Fasteners
A basic toolkit for snaps should include a sturdy work surface, the manufacturer’s setting tool, a hammer with a rubber face, and a marking tool. Do not underestimate the importance of the setting tool; attempting to install snaps with household pliers often leads to bent prongs and uneven closures.
For those who plan to use snaps frequently, a professional-grade bench press is a worthy investment. It provides consistent pressure that ensures every snap is set at the exact same depth. A consistent installation is often what separates a garment that looks handmade from one that looks store-bought.
Always keep a small awl in your kit. This allows you to open the weave of your knitting slightly to push the snap prong through without breaking the yarn. Pushing metal through a solid stitch is the most common cause of future holes in the garment.
Reinforcing Fabric for Strong, Lasting Snaps
Regardless of the snap type, the knitting itself is rarely strong enough to hold a fastener under tension. The weight of the snap will cause the fabric to stretch or sag, leading to gaping between the closures. You must provide a “bridge” of stability behind the snap site.
Use a strip of non-stretch ribbon, twill tape, or fusible interfacing on the underside of your placket. This material acts as a skeleton, distributing the tension of the snap across a wider area of the knitting. It also prevents the prongs from snagging on your undergarments or skin.
For heavy-duty applications, consider incorporating a small piece of cotton fabric into the placket during the knitting process or sewing it on during finishing. This creates a secure “sandwich” that anchors the snap firmly. A little extra work on the internal structure will ensure your finished garment remains secure and professional for years.
Selecting the correct snap fastener is an exercise in balancing the mechanical requirements of the closure with the physical limitations of your chosen yarn. By understanding the distinctions between decorative, heavy-duty, and delicate fasteners, you can ensure that the functional elements of your garment are as durable as your stitches. Take the time to properly reinforce your knitting, and your finished pieces will maintain their shape and integrity through countless wears. With these tools and techniques, every project will move closer to that elusive, professional-quality finish.