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How to install Kam plastic snaps and Prym snaps

June 1, 2021 9 Comments

Let’s add one more skill to the ever-growing fabric fun we all experience. Plastic snaps!

If you see projects that involve plastic snaps and you are sad that you can’t do it, because it seems complicated and you don’t have what you need (I was there, I know the feeling!), I will show you how easy it is to install these pretty accents.

I started using Kam plastic snaps a few months ago; I had to pair these extremely easy to sew pouches (patterns here) with an easy closure, and the plastic snaps was the answer.

Snap pouch patterns Snap pouch patterns

How to install KAM plastic snaps

I have this KAM starter kit.

How to install kam snaps

Dritz and Prym have similar snaps and the installing process is similar with the one presented here.

Kam snaps come in different prong lengths and cap sizes. I used size 20 (0.5”, 12.4 mm- this is the diameter of the cap). These snaps have a 5.6 mm prong length (regular size- there are caps with shorter and longer prongs).

A complete snap consists of 2 caps, one stud and one socket.
To install the snaps, you need these tools: pliers and awl. If you don’t want a kit, you can buy the snaps and tools separately.

How to install kam snaps

Here is how to install the snaps on the flap and body of this pouch.
Decide on your snap placement and use the awl to pierce a hole in the flap.

How to install kam snapsPierce a hole in the body of the pouch, in the desired place.
See below how you will use the snap pieces –  2 for the flap and 2 for the body of the pouch.

How to install kam snaps

Push the cap pin from the front side of the flap to the back through the hole.

How to install kam snapsThen place the stud piece onto the cap pin from the back side of the flap.

How to install kam snaps

Take your KAM pliers and position it like in the picture below. The cap of the snap will be placed into the black die tray. The stud will be placed under the white rubber head.

How to install kam snapsHold the pliers so that the bottom part rests on a table. Slip the snap pieces into the pliers. Make sure the cap stays nicely centered on the die tray, with no part of the cap outside of the die tray. Press firmly  on the top handle. Do not press with the work hanging in the air, make sure the work is resting on the table when you do this!

How to install kam snapsRemove the fabric from between the pliers; the prong has been flattened, securing the stud in place.

How to install kam snapsIn the same way install the other part of the snap, on the opposite side of your work (the body of the pouch, in this case).

How to install kam snapsPretty easy, right?

How to install kam snaps

How to install PRYM plastic snaps

In this case you need a Vario pliers and you have to buy separately the snap tools set shown below. If you have the Vario pliers from a VARIO PLUS kit, you still have to buy the tools for the plastic snaps.

How to install Prym plastic snaps

How to install Prym plastic snapsYou need a box to store your snaps! Here is what I found in my cabinet:  boxes from Aurifil threads! The small compartment has the perfect size for a snap package.

How to install Prym plastic snapsInsert the tools into the pliers and setting the snaps is similar with the process described above.

How to install Prym plastic snapsHow to install Prym plastic snapsOn another pouch I installed metal snaps (from the Prym Vario Plus kit I have) so next time I will show you how to do this!

How to install Prym plastic snaps

I hope this little tutorial helps! Inserting plastic snaps is simple and easy and a really fast way to finish some of your projects!

Patterns for these pouches here.

Happy sewing!

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Filed Under: bag tutorials, handmade bags

Comments

  1. Brenda Dorwart Small says

    June 1, 2021 at 6:14 pm

    I know you are in Romania but where did you get Blue, peach and rose floral fabric? I had not bought enough of it when I found it and searched high and low! I had to change my pattern design because it was nowhere.
    It looks great in this bag!

    Reply
    • Geta Grama says

      June 1, 2021 at 6:32 pm

      This fabric? https://www.fabricgateway.com/topic/donna+wilder#&gid=1&pid=7

      A friend of mine from the USA sent me one yard. I still have it, I only cut a piece for two pouches. If you still need it and it is enough, I can send it to you!

      Reply
      • Brenda Dorwart Small says

        June 1, 2021 at 6:48 pm

        That is awfully sweet of you to offer. I no longer need it but it was a nice surprise to see that you had used it for the pouch. I am including a Pinterest link to the quilt I made.
        https://pin.it/6BhlXyI

        Reply
        • Geta Grama says

          June 1, 2021 at 6:53 pm

          Beautiful quilt! The rounded corners are a nice addition!

          Reply
  2. Lydia says

    June 2, 2021 at 2:16 pm

    Thanks for the tutorial on the snaps. I have the same story as you. I purchased snaps (I think KAM) quite some time ago. I haven’t used them yet. Your tutorial has given me courage! Thank you.

    Reply
  3. Lynn Kunze says

    June 2, 2021 at 8:19 pm

    Thank you for the snap tutorial-your pouches are so cute! I much prefer the colorful ones. And I think I’ll get that kit. Thanks again-Lynn

    Reply
  4. Amanda says

    August 21, 2022 at 10:51 pm

    I would love to know whether you prefer the Kam snaps? I have a project in front of me and I have a basic german metal snap kit that I think will handle Prym snaps just fine. I am trying to decide whether it’s worth the cost to upgrade to Kam.

    Reply
    • Geta Grama says

      August 22, 2022 at 7:02 pm

      I prefer the Kam snaps- it’s easier to open and close them than Prym.
      I have setting tools from both brands and I can use one with snaps from the other brand.

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        September 18, 2022 at 4:25 pm

        Thank you so much for this! I hadn’t realized that the setting tools are interchangeable if you have the right die (and the Kam setting tools are pricey!). I wound up getting the Prym because there was a kit in stock at a nearby craft store. They came with a die and worked with the snap setting tool I already have.

        For my purposes, I only really needed a tidy looking closure that could be used to very occasionally remove the bolster cover, so ease of unsnapping was less important, but I can see what you mean — these are very securely snapped, and that might get old if I was opening and closing them all the time.

        Reply

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