Showing all 5 results
Upholstery Buttoning Needles and Tufting Tools
Shop specialist buttoning needles, tufting tools, clasps and arrowhead fasteners for deep-buttoned furniture, upholstered headboards, cushions and suitable mattress-style upholstery.
The range includes three distinct systems:
- Cavity-ejector needles for long and short buttoning tapes
- A C.S. Osborne tufting needle with matching clasps
- A presser tool with compatible metal arrowheads
These products are not interchangeable. Choose the complete system according to the furniture construction, upholstery depth, buttoning method and fastening component being used.
Shop Buttoning and Tufting Tools by System
Cavity-Ejector Needles for Buttoning Tapes
The range includes:
- 12″ Cavity-Ejector Needle for Long and Short Tapes
- 15″ Cavity-Ejector Needle for Long and Short Tapes
These needles are intended for use with compatible long or short buttoning tapes.
The available lengths allow the tool to be selected according to the depth of the upholstered section.
Potential applications include suitable:
- Deep-buttoned headboards
- Upholstered wall panels
- Chairs and sofas
- Footstools and ottomans
- Back cushions
- Seat cushions
- Mattress-style upholstery
Choose the 12″ or 15″ version according to the distance the needle must travel through the complete upholstery construction.
Allow for:
- Covering fabric
- Foam
- Polyester wadding
- Traditional fillings
- Hessian or backing materials
- Furniture-frame clearance
- Space required to operate the ejector mechanism
A needle that is too short may not pass through the complete construction. An unnecessarily long needle can be more difficult to position and control.
Choosing Between the 12″ and 15″ Needles
The 12″ Cavity-Ejector Needle may suit shallower buttoned upholstery and work where access behind the furniture is relatively restricted.
The 15″ Cavity-Ejector Needle provides additional reach for deeper upholstery sections.
Before ordering:
- Measure the complete upholstery depth.
- Identify the buttoning tape and fastening system.
- Check access from the front and rear.
- Allow enough needle length for the operating mechanism.
- Confirm that the tape is compatible with the selected needle.
Do not choose the needle solely from the finished depth of the foam. The complete upholstered construction may be considerably deeper.
C.S. Osborne Tufting Needle and Clasps
The C.S. Osborne tufting system consists of:
The No.417 is an auto-releasing tufting tool. After the buttoning material has been prepared, a compatible clasp is loaded into the end of the needle.
When the needle reaches the required depth, the clasp is ejected to create the rear anchoring point.
The system is designed so the needle can be withdrawn without catching on the clasp.
This may be useful where:
- Access to the rear of the upholstery is limited
- The outside back should remain in place
- Several tufting points are required
- A repeatable rear anchor is preferred
- Deep-buttoned furniture is being repaired or produced
C.S. Osborne No.417 Tufting Needle
The C.S. Osborne No.417 Tufting Needle is the application tool within this system.
It must be used with the compatible No.418 clasps.
Before use, check:
- The planned button position
- Upholstery depth
- Rear clearance
- Buttoning material
- Clasp orientation
- Needle path
- Furniture-frame position
Do not force the needle through timber, springs, metal brackets or other hidden furniture components.
Mark the buttoning positions accurately before beginning. Browse Upholstery Measuring & Marking Tools for rulers, tapes and suitable marking equipment.
C.S. Osborne No.418 Tufting Clasps
The C.S. Osborne No.418 Clasps are supplied in packs of 100 and are intended for use with the No.417 tufting needle.
The clasp forms the anchoring component behind the upholstered section after being released from the needle.
Check that:
- The clasp is loaded correctly
- The upholstery construction can retain it
- The fastening is secure
- The buttoning tension is appropriate
- The clasp cannot damage a visible or exposed furniture surface
The clasps are a consumable component. The No.417 needle is purchased separately.
Arrowhead Buttoning System
The arrowhead system consists of:
The presser tool is designed for buttoning applications using the compatible metal arrowheads.
The two products should be treated as one system:
- The presser tool applies or carries the fastening
- The metal arrowhead provides the rear anchor
Do not order the arrowheads without confirming that the correct application tool is already available.
Metal Buttoning Arrowheads
The Metal Buttoning Arrowheads are supplied in bags of 1,000.
They are intended for use with the matching presser tool.
The larger pack quantity is suited to furniture manufacturers, headboard makers and upholstery workrooms carrying out repeated buttoning work.
Store loose arrowheads securely because their pointed ends can cause injury and may damage fabric or finished furniture.
Arrowhead Presser Tool
The Presser Tool for Arrowheads is used to apply compatible arrowheads in suitable buttoning applications.
Before using the system:
- Confirm arrowhead compatibility
- Measure the upholstery depth
- Mark each button location
- Check the intended needle path
- Keep the tool aligned
- Ensure the rear anchor can open or seat correctly
- Test the system on a sample construction where practical
Choosing the Correct Buttoning System
Choose a cavity-ejector needle where:
- Long or short buttoning tapes are being used
- A 12″ or 15″ tool length suits the upholstery depth
- The existing furniture uses a compatible tape system
Choose the C.S. Osborne No.417 system where:
- A No.418 clasp is required as the rear anchor
- An auto-releasing tufting tool is preferred
- Removing the complete outside back would be difficult
Choose the arrowhead presser system where:
- Compatible metal arrowheads are specified
- Repeated production work is involved
- A large quantity of arrowhead fasteners is required
The buttoning system should be chosen before buying individual consumables. Clasps, arrowheads and tapes cannot automatically be exchanged between systems.
Planning a Deep-Buttoned Layout
Accurate positioning is particularly important on:
- Headboards
- Upholstered wall panels
- Chesterfield-style furniture
- Ottomans
- Footstools
- Buttoned seat and back cushions
Before inserting the first needle:
- Establish the finished button spacing.
- Mark horizontal and vertical centre lines.
- Check that the pattern is symmetrical.
- Identify furniture-frame obstructions.
- Confirm the required upholstery depth.
- Prepare all buttons and fastening components.
- Test one position before completing the full layout.
Browse Upholstery Rulers & Tape Measures and Tailor’s Chalk & Wax Markers for layout preparation.
Upholstery Buttons and Button-Making Equipment
Browse Button Parts for suitable button shells, backs and associated components.
Browse Buttoning Tools for button presses, cutters, dies and related equipment.
The button size and construction should suit:
- Covering material
- Upholstery depth
- Furniture style
- Button spacing
- Fastening method
- Intended tension
Thick leather, vinyl and heavy fabric may require additional preparation before being formed around a button shell.
Buttoning Twine and Tapes
Where the selected system requires thread or twine, browse Upholstery Twines.
Choose a product suited to the buttoning method and required tension.
Check:
- Breaking strength
- Thickness
- Flexibility
- Compatibility with the needle
- Compatibility with the button back
- Resistance to abrasion
- Knotting method
The cavity-ejector needles on this page are specifically described for compatible long and short tapes. Confirm the tape dimensions before ordering.
Foam and Padding for Deep Buttoning
Deep-buttoned upholstery may be formed through:
- Flexible upholstery foam
- Polyester wadding
- Traditional fillings
- Layered furniture padding
Browse:
The padding must be planned with the buttoning depth and spacing in mind.
Excessive tension can distort the foam, covering material or button layout. Insufficient tension may leave the button loose or fail to create the required tufted effect.
Safe Handling and Storage
Buttoning needles, clasps and arrowheads contain sharp points.
Keep them securely stored and out of the reach of children.
Before use:
- Inspect the needle for bends or damage
- Check the ejector or release mechanism
- Confirm that the fastening component loads correctly
- Stabilise the furniture
- Keep hands away from the needle path
- Wear suitable eye protection where required
Never place a supporting hand directly behind the point at which the needle is expected to emerge.
Do not continue using a bent, cracked or damaged needle.
Collect dropped clasps and arrowheads immediately and store unused components in a closed container.
Related Upholstery Needle Categories
Return to Needles, Pins & Skewers to compare buttoning equipment with:
A straight double-point buttoning needle may be more appropriate for some traditional hand-buttoning methods, while the products on this page concentrate on specialist ejector, clasp and arrowhead systems.
Trade Buttoning Needles and Tufting Tools
Livedale supplies upholstery buttoning needles, tufting tools, clasps and arrowhead fasteners to professional upholsterers, furniture manufacturers, headboard makers and specialist cushion workrooms throughout the UK.
The range supports one-off furniture restoration and repeated deep-buttoning production.
Approved trade customers can access preferential pricing across eligible products after registering for a trade account.
Choose the complete fastening system before selecting the individual needle, clasp, arrowhead or tape.