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My apologies for lack of a Monday post… I am much like Garfield in the sense that I’d prefer Mondays to come and go while I hibernate and pretend they aren’t there! lol.
Yesterday I was digging through some boxes from the move (yes, we still have a few unpacked ones!), and found a bag of vintage buttons. I must have purchased them last fall (right before the wedding), packed them, and promptly forgot I had some “new” buttons! So I spent some time gently washing them in batches, and contemplating how I love them not only for the unique designs and colors, but the fact that vintage buttons are something I can incorporate into my sewing projects pretty effortlessly. I tend to be drawn towards designs that utilize buttons (such as the Beignet skirt I showed Sunday); especially when I can mix and match them to my heart’s content!
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I think many vintage designs utilize buttons very nicely in a way that one could easily showcase them. Buttons are really one of those dressmaker elements that are so versatile: they can be all matching, large or small, used to highlight a detail (such as a pocket), mismatched, functional or purely decorative, contrasting colors… They don’t even have to be original to the garment: swapping buttons on a tried-and-true piece of your wardrobe is a surefire way to add a little pizazz! I am definitely toying with a few ideas of how to incorporate more of my button stash (which is *cough* getting a bit out of hand!). Now if only to decide on which ones to use…
I’m a huge fan of button embellishment, too. Something about buttons is so cheerful.
I have used some cute buttons to fun-up my kid’s clothes. Using them for the centers of flowers…
I also use them for scrapbooking. Always an easy embellishment to add.
I love buttons too! They are such a great way to build details.
(when I moved I had some unpacked boxes stached away in corners and on the top shelves of my closet for months too. You seldom tend to find anything of use in those boxes though, but how nice that you found the buttons!)
I have my buttons organized in little bags by colour, and sometimes I just get them out to feel their cool lightness in my hands. I don’t sew (yet!), but I love to go thrifting for buttons to use in craft projects. Getting out the buttons is always inspiring, and usually where a project starts!
I haven’t written you in such a long time because of a busy work week and feeling icky all week. Though I wanted to tell you for such a long time how much I appreciate and enjoy your latest posts. Your pictures and collages have been so thoughtful and nicely put together. You can really see how much time you invest! Really geat! And I loved your review about these patterns. I guess I don’t have to explain how much I enjoy your old fashion illustration-pictures!! Love them
Have a wonderful Tuesday evening and talk to you soon – hopefully!
Dears, Theresa
Yummy, yummy! My mom and I went antiquing on Sunday and found some buttons. Yay! Such a cheap indulgence they’re hard to pass up.
I have that pattern on the top left. Been in my “to make for summer” pile for about 3 years now. Maybe this year… haha. And that 30s sailor dress with the buttons down the front is in my “some day I’ll find it” list. *le sigh*
I’m in button heaven myself, right now.
I just got a package of buttons that I ordered to use on my new dress. I think there is nothing more exciting than vintage buttons! The pictures accompanying this post are amazing, especially the bright red one in the second spread. I’d love to wear that dress! 
The suspender shorts are terribly cute, too!
Love buttons, hate sewing them on. Even more, I hate making button holes!
It is funny though, I usually stay away from patterns that utilize a lot of buttons but I adore all the ones you picked. Do you own any of them?
I love using buttons too, they are one of my favourite desing features! Particularly in clothes with asymmetrical fastenings, like that 30′s dress pictured. I agree with Alyssa though, I hate making button holes. I always use my machine because its faster and easier, and probably neater than ones I do by hand, but I still feel that they always look ugly, like too… crisp or something. Do you know any techniques for making a really beautiful buttonhole, thats not too tricky?
I love buttons. But I have to get a move on to use them because they’re all over the place right now since there’s so many haha.
If I see them in thrift stores and such, grab it and buy it. If I don’t I’ll regret it later 0.0 But they’re so lovely…
Yes, it’s such a great and simple detail! Nice blog you’ve got here, I’ll be visiting again
Vintage buttons just make an outfit – I would like to start collecting some to replace those on repro or VI items and make them look even more accurate! That top left pattern looks just like the sundresses on my last-but-one post! the buttons up the back are even nicer than having a zip, IMO.
Oh they’re lovely! And I always love how you show us such lovely pattern pictures too… Sigh. I really need a better collection of vintage buttons…
xxxc