Kam Snaps Tutorial – How To Install kam Snaps

Check out this easy kam snaps tutorial and see how to install KAM snaps to nearly all your projects (think coin purses, tote pockets, diaper clutches and lots more!) And make sure to scroll down for the troubleshooting tips – all you need to know about kam snaps!

If you haven’t yet met kam snaps, I just know this will be the first thing you’ll ask:

What are KAM snaps?

Me: super cute little thingies! Practical, and you’ll fall in love with the moment you start using them. So easy to use, and they come in a gazillion of colors. Forever a fan!

OK, now a serious definition:

Kam snaps are plastic snaps that are really easy to insert and can be used on practically anything you sew that needs to be closed. Think coin pouches, diaper clutches, cloth diapers, bandana bibs (a free bib pattern here), lunch bags and even belts, use them in place of buttons and on hanging bins. In short, you can use KAM snaps on nearly any sewing project! Learn how – in less than 10 minutes!

You can use KAM snaps on the MIA POUCH too – HERE.

You should also know that this post includes affiliate links at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. Now back to snaps. First, for those of you who like video tutorials, I’ve made a video slide-show just to make it easier for you. Check it out:

KAM snaps are fun and colorful: since they come in a gazillion of colors, they are really fun to use with any easy sewing projects, and can be perfect to close pockets in bag making (see all my bag sewing tips here). Best for sewing for kids, and an ingenious source of crafty hacks for your home.

Why Should You Use Kam snaps:

• quick and easy to install
• colors!
• plastic – easy to care for
• a fantastic choice for many easy sewing projects (check some of them here!)

Pros – all above. Cons: only one: you’ll need to order KAM snap pliers before you’re able to install them. So don’t just get the snaps, order them in a set with the pliers. (I paid for mine less than $14, prices for the same product vary quite a lot.)

KAM Snap Sizes And How Do Kam Snaps Work?

KAM snaps come in several sizes and shapes.

What KAM Snap Sizes Are There?

As to the size of the KAM snaps, yes there are several sizes, commonly referred to as T3, T5, T8, etc, as well as several shapes in addition to the classic circle – heart, stars etc. If you want to use the different sizes, make sure to get KAM pliers that come with the corresponding 3 or 4 sizes of ends called ‘plastic dies’.

Make it easier? I usually just purchase the most commonly used size, T5 also called Size 20, with the snap cap approximately half an inch (12.4 mm) in diameter. Feel free to experiment and see what works for you.

Do I need table KAM snap pliers? No, manual will do just fine if you’re not planning on an assembly-line-like business. I got myself these, and am very satisfied. Fully functional for an occasional installation of a KAM snap here and there. Definitely better than I expected!

You can use KAM snaps with my FREE bandana bib pattern – HERE

How To Use Kam Snaps?

• 2 caps. They will be installed on top of the outer fabric layer. See the image below.
• 1 socket piece (use on the body of your project)
• 1 stud piece (use on the flap piece of your project)

You’ll recognize the stud piece as it is flat on one side.

Now, let’s see how to install one.

What Do you Need To Install Kam Snaps?

• your finished sewn project that needs KAM snap closure (I used this coin purse)
• one set of KAM snaps pieces (4 pieces: 2 caps and a socket and a stud piece)
• KAM snap pliers (best get them in a set)
• an awl

KAM snaps tutorial 

1) You’ll need your finished sewing project. One of the good sides of KAM snaps: no need for installing when you’re only half way through the project. It’s way easier to see where a snap needs to go if you’ve got a finished item in front of you.

3) Mark the placement of the snaps. Use your awl and pierce a tiny hole through all layers, just to allow the cap prong through.

4) FLAP: cap+stud piece
First, push the cap pin from the front side to the back through the hole. Then place the stud piece onto the cap pin from the other side of the fabric.

8) Repeat on the body of the bag or case, this time using a cap + socket piece. DOUBLE-CHECK now: the stud and the socket should be facing. The two caps should be facing AWAY from each other. Is it so? Good, go on!

9) Place them together, align, and squeeze using your KAM pliers. Here, finished! Your finished pair of plastic snaps should look like this.

Now choose your next project and – happy crafting!

Save For Later:

Tips on Kam snaps And KAM snap Troubleshooting

This post has become so popular I simply need to add this section. I’m so grateful that my tutorial has helped many readers start using kam snaps, and making super cute bibs, pockets, and detachable hanging baskets – and my ZIP Pocket Coin Purse. (Thank you, thank you for all your hearfelt messages and comments!)

Well with so many people using this kam snaps tutorial, there are a few questions that keep popping up. I’d like to make it easier for you and answer them here.

What causes the snap to be very hard to unsnap?

This is what I do when my snap is very hard to open: I snap and unsnap it several times. This usually helps loosen the snap a bit.

KAM snaps, as a rule, have a strong, secure grip. But if you want your grip to be a little less tight, you can maybe use the small size snaps (size 16). They have a slightly gentler grip compared to the size 20 I use.

My Kam Snaps Keep Falling OFF MY Fabric

Try to repress the KAM snap, that is, place the pliers or table press on the exact spot where the loosened snap is attached, and press firmly to make the 2 snap pieces come closer together, and this should stop making your snaps loose.

If the snap still falls apart, you need a different type of kam snap – one with longer prongs.

Is there a way to remove a snap and How To Remove Kam Snaps?

Yes, but you will probably not want to do that. Honestly, removing a snap involves a lot of strength, two pairs of pliers, and you’d end up with a hole in your fabric – in the least! I personally avoid that as much as possible. I have, however, already removed a kam snap that ended up in a wrong spot on my project. IF (If!) you are very careful with your pliers, you could use two pliers to pull the two parts apart, breaking the connecting plastic. Grab the snap on each side of the fabric using pliers, pull pull pull apart and twist a little, until the connecting plastic gives in. Please be warned that there WILL be a hole and there will be some damage to your fabric. In some cases, the fabric will rip and you’ll need to replace a larger area of your project. This is why I do not recommend it.

UPDATE – NEW TIP to remove kam snap reliably

Even though it requires careful handling with fire and heat, this clever tip from a reader, Kathleen, might be an excellent way to remove a kam snap. Please handle with care, I hope this tip helps a lot of Kam snap users:

‘So, I found a way to easily remove a cam snap. It does require fire. I heat an awl (well a nut pick) over my stove burner until it’s hot then melt out the center portion (the part that was pointy). It works really well without hurting the fabric or stabbing myself with my seam ripper (which I did first time I tried to remove a snap).’

Thank you, Kathleen!

Should I get KAM pliers or Table Press For kam snaps?

Depends on your use of kam snaps. If you need to instal a kam snap here and there, pliers are totally fine. I have them and I’ve made wuite a lot items with kam snaps. And still love my simple KAM pliers.

If you are installing, say, ten or twenty snaps in one go, your hand or just palm might hurt if you’re not the strongest person in the world. I know I’m not, haha! In this case, I’d get me a table press for kam snaps.

Fabric Tears Around Kam snaps

KAM snaps have a strong, secure grip. Fabric will tear if it is delicate or thin. To prevent ripping, reinforce your fabric with a sturdier material, such as ribbon, fleece, denim, a little piece of interfacing, etc around the snaps.

Save this how-to to Pinterest so you have it at hand for all your future kam snap projects:

WANT MORE FREE TUTORIALS AND Patterns?

Get email updates and never miss out on new patterns, printables and tutorials. If you sign up at THIS link, you’ll also get the Fabric Hanging Basket Template for FREE, right now. A cute and easy-sew!

Or …check out this quick and easy PDF pattern in my shop – the ZIP Pocket Coin Purse. The cutest little thing you can sew in no time!

An ideal project to test out your KAM snaps!