Dear Friend,
Sometimes when I am typing on my computer I have an impulse to hit the return lever and I actually pick up my right arm to do it. In case you don’t know what I’m talking about, an analogue type-writer has a carriage lever at the side that manually returns (advances the paper) so that the key strokes will hit the next line … at some point we should talk about typewriters… but clearly, the computer doesn't have such a return lever and doesn't take kindly to being slapped upside its monitor... anyway, I was just thinking that our world is truly decorated with all sorts of knobs and dials,
toggles,
levers,
switches,
and buttons. And, to me, buttons are cutest of all.
Tilly’s nose is cuter than a button.
Buttons (and the like) make it easier for us to manipulate machinery.
And of course, there are buttons used in upholstery,
and the buttons that hold our clothes on.
Before buttons, it stands to reason that clothing was much less fitted. Cloth draped over the body, or wrapped around, might be belted with twine or leather or cloth. Straight pins made of bones, wood or thorns and then later, metals like bronze, were pierced through and held fabrics together. A form of safety pin, a fibula, was created around the 13th Century BC to hold garments in place. It was often a decorative pin-type brooch, that clasped the covering together. A toga for example might be pinned with a fibula at the shoulder. No one knows exactly who invented the first button, but in case you're interested in such things, here’s a brief History of Button-Making.
Over time, human beings have figured out ways to make clothing more efficient. Along with the inventions of fasteners like the zipper, snaps, hook & eye, and Velcro, buttons have allowed fashion to become more about a person’s figure. Before such fasteners, some (usually wealthy) folks had their apparel fitted on to them by hand. Imagine having your clothing sewn onto you with every outfit change.
Fasteners are plentiful today. And buttons are still so important that button manufacturing is a thriving industry, (often incorporating more eco-friendly practices like using recycled materials, and cleaner, less pollutant emitting, machinery).
Did your Grandma have a jar full of buttons? Chances are, it was a collection born of necessity more than just for fun. I remember helping my Grandma look through her button jar in order to find a perfect match for a missing button to sew onto my Grandpa’s work shirt. His work shirts were very important to him, so it was a big deal. She showed me the best way to sew on a shirt button. (Actually, both of my Grandmas took the time to show me the best way to sew on a button. So, I know and can use two different ‘best’ ways).
How do you feel about buttons? Have you ever thought about making your own?
Buttons can be made from clay, all kinds of junk, paper, avocado pits, slices of small tree branches, broom handles, dowels, all sorts of metals, shells, glass… some can be laundered, some can’t…
Here is a video that shows the steps to create buttons from polymer clay.
A button collection can be enjoyed as it is, buttons in a jar, or, along with your own ideas, here’s a video that shows 8 Creative Ways to Reuse Old Waste Buttons.
I’ve sewn a lot of buttons onto both old and new clothing. And I’ve used buttons on handmade creations for things like eyes on my creatures, decorations on Christmas stockings, playing pieces on custom game boards… but I have yet to make my own buttons. I’m looking forward to trying out the polymer clay!
We’d love to know if you have made your own buttons! Please Write to us and let us know and tell us about your button collection or anything else that might be on your mind. We love to hear from you!
And we thank you for reading Tracks by the Post! As always, please know that we keep you in our daily Thanksgivings and are so grateful to know that you are there!
Wishing you a Happy Week ahead!
Gently Be,
Leslie and Frank