Accessible Magnetic Buttons

What is this?

A 3D-printable magnetic clothes button that allows for people with disabilities to easily button/unbutton their clothes.

Required Components

Parts to 3D-print:

• 1 MagneticButtons.stl part for each button (e.g. if your shirt has 6 buttons you'll need to 3D-print 6 of these).
  • Each MagneticButtons.stl file contains 2 identical components.

Other Parts:

• 2 6x3mm magnets for each button (e.g. if your shirt has 6 buttons you'll need 12 magnets).
• Superglue.

Assembly Instructions

Preparation:

1. Acquire the components listed above.
2. Carefully remove the existing buttons from your shirt (or whatever else you plan on adding magnetic buttons to)

Button Assembly:

1. Using superglue, glue 1 magnet to a 3D-printed button component.
2. Repeat the above step, ensuring that the 2 magnetic buttons are attracted to each other (and not repulsed) before gluing.
3. You now have a magnetic button pair. Repeat these steps for the remaining magnets and 3D-printed button components.

Sewing Buttons:

1. Take one magnetic button from a pair. Sew it into the location where a previous button was removed - the magnet should be facing towards the fabric. (See ‘Outside Button’ in the below diagram).
2. Take the remaining magnetic button from the pair. Sew it over the matching buttonhole - the magnet should be facing away from the fabric. (See 'Inside Button’ in the below diagram).
3. You now have an accessible magnetic button. Repeat these steps for the remaining magnetic buttons.