Taabu Maua

Profess your feelings in a big way with this large, red abstract heart-shaped button. An acacia flower petal underlies the glossy finish of this stunning accent button. If you’re looking for a bold statement, Taabu Maua  can do the job.

Amore

If you prefer a more literal message,  Amore‘s strong heart shape is the choice for you. Sharply shaped with a highly textured surface, there’s no guessing about emotions with this unique button. (Discontinued by our supplier, we have only a few available, in orange only. I normally wouldn’t write about a button that’s nearly sold out, but how could I omit it?!)

Looking for a more subliminal way to show you care? How about Philomena?

Philomena

Entwining heart-shaped leaves adorn this button in a William Morris kind of way. So romantic!

Is your Valentine more of an earthy kind of gal or guy?

Corazon

Carved from natural horn, Corazon is perfect for those who like an organic look.

I don’t know of a button lover who wouldn’t love receiving one of these buttons. And if you’re the button lover, send this link to someone who loves you!

My buttonholing skills could definitely use some improvement, so I’ll be following Ruth and trying out her methods and helpful hints.  Why not get on over to the Salon, and consider joining in?!

Amusement

What a cool shape Amusement has! And those yummy, girly colors! The fuchsia and violet ones are perfect matches to some upcoming double knit fabrics, so watch for them in the web store.

Intensity

There’s nothing shy about Intensity, is there? Well, maybe it’s a bit reticent in black.  But the other colors say springtime in a loud way!  You’ll be seeing these paired with some upcoming fabrics also.

If you can’t wait for new fabrics to come and think these might match some yardage in your collection, feel free to call us or mail us a swatch and we’ll see how they look together.

So don’t despair!  Remedies for winter gray are just a button away!

That’s what happened a few months ago when the Atlantis fabric came into stock. We like to photograph buttons with our fabrics for the web site, to show you an option.  We also offer the service of matching buttons to fabric for our customers. And I’m the lucky person who gets to play with buttons in this way!

My first glance at this stunning brocade told me finding buttons might be very challenging because of the strong, angular graphic design of the weave. Most buttons are round, and the fabric is very angular.  The black Rainforest button is graphically strong, but in a very circular, round way.  Other than being bold, its shape does not speak to the elements in the fabric.

What I wanted was a button with linear elements that would echo the lines in the weave.  A rectangular or square button would have been great, but we don’t currently have one that matches color-wise.  In the back of my mind, though, was a green button I suspected might be a perfect color match - and it was.  Even better, the shape and design of the button echoed the design of the fabric. While it has rounded aspects, the strong, straight central band relates to the bands of color in the fabric.  The two were gorgeous together.  Midtown and Atlantis were a match made in heaven!

Mineral Green Midtown

To see the overall effect of a button style, we like to place several of them as they would appear on a garment.  Beautiful!

Midtown and Atlantis

But my challenge wasn’t over yet. Several customers have purchased the Midtown buttons with the fabric, and our supply is dwindling. The button is no longer manufactured, so there is no hope of obtaining more of them. Last week, a customer requested three 1-1/4″ buttons to match Atlantis. The large size of Midtown is close to that measurement, but we have only 1 remaining in stock.  We needed to find other options for this customer.

At first I threw my hands in the air in frustration, because I doubted I would find a satisfying match. I knew we didn’t have another large mineral green button, so it would have to be black.  I also knew we didn’t have an angular shaped black button style, so it would have to be round.  Then it dawned on me, a round button with linear or angular aspects in its detailing could work.  It might not be as stunning as the Midtown/Atlantis match, but it would still be good.  I found two possibilities.

Seine and Atlantis

Seine is a large natural shell button with laser-cut black lines – the linear aspect I was looking for.  The iridescence of the shell leans toward green, so it picked up the color in the fabric. The button offers some contrast because the shell is lighter in color, but it still relates well to the fabric.

Seine and Atlantis

Another option is a molded resin button, Shalott.

 The web-like linear design in the button led us to name it after the Lady of Shalott, a Tennyson poem with references to a weaver, a curse, and a web.

Shalott and Atlantis

Midtown is still my favorite button for this stylish, elegant fabric.  What if you were the customer? Which button would you choose?  One of these, or something totally different?  Leave a comment to let us know!

Black Nickel Arco Pin on Key Largo Knit Fabric

Open-front, button-less cardigans and jackets are everywhere these days, and I love the style.  It’s easy to wear, comfortable, and fresh.  Sometimes I like to switch up my look by fastening the garment closed with one of our Italian shawl pins.  Naturally, these are also the perfect accessory for keeping a scarf or shawl around my shoulders.

Closing a cardigan or jacket with a pin has been popular for several years in Europe, and I’m really enjoying the look.  One version of Marcy Tilton’s jacket pattern, Vogue 8693, uses a pin instead of a button.  Those of you who knit may recognize Berroco’s Montparnasse cardigan pattern, which is also shown with a large pin as a closure.

These pins were a big hit when we first offered them late last winter. Made for us by an Italian button maker, we were excited to learn the pins were being manufactured again this season.  (Many buttons and other closures from our Italian suppliers are made only one season, so their availability is limited.)  We’ve added more colors to give you more options for finding closure with a pin.

Not sure what to call these, and wanting to differentiate between them and the stick-type of shawl pin, I chose the term “kilt-style shawl pin”.  The simplest style, Ovale, reminds me of the pins worn on kilt skirts in my school years, only it is much larger.

Antique Bronze Ovale Pin on Burnt Cork Fabric

At nearly four inches long, this makes a bold statement on loosely woven or knitted fabrics.  The dark bronze color gives a casual or rustic look, and is the perfect accent on this plaid novelty fabric.  For a potentially dressier version, try the silver one:

Silver Ovale Pin on Atlantis Fabric

I like to wear mine on my raggedy edge linen vest.

Silver Ovale Pin on Dixie's Navy Linen Vest

Spirale is my favorite in the collection.  The motif is primitive and modern at the same time.  The size is a bit smaller than Arco, making it appropriate for petites.  The bronze color looks great on warm autumn tones, like this loose-knit fabric:

Antique Bronze Spirale Pin on Surat Fabric

Surat sold out just today, but if you have it in your stash, why not make a cardigan and close it with one of these?  For a dressier look, the black nickel one looks beautirul on a black crepe.  Delicious!

Black Nickel Spirale Pin on Black Friday Fabric

The threesome is rounded out by Arco, our customer favorite.  A bit more delicate in size and shape, this lovely pin adds elegance and sophistication to any look.

Silver Arco Pin on Rhodes Fabric

Winter is the perfect season to flash some style with one of these chic accessories.  I’ll be adding another one or two to my collection.  How about you?

Boylston

How would you describe your relationship with buttons?  Do you love looking at them, touching them, selecting them for your sewing or knitting project?  Do you see them as jewelry for your clothing, finishing touches that elevate your garments to perfection?  Do you accumulate them because when a particular one catches your eye, you just have to have it?  Do you design garments around unique buttons?  Do you dream of buttons and the myriad ways you could use them?

Or, are buttons just a necessary element that’s required to hold your shirt closed or your pants up?  Do you dread having to choose buttons because you have no idea how to do it? Have you become a collector by mistake, having chosen the wrong ones for something you made, time and time again?

No matter your relationship with buttons, I’m here to advise and encourage – to be your button therapist.  Those of you who love buttons will be inspired.  If you’re one who views buttons as merely a necessity, things you need but don’t want to love, you’ll find acceptance here.  And those who desire a smoother relationship with buttons and want help finding their way will be supported in that endeavor.

I’ll talk about different styles of buttons and other closures, how to choose them, and how to care for them.  I’ll offer information on how they’re crafted.  When new buttons arrive at the warehouse, I’ll post photos and extol their virtues.  When I find a spectacular button/fabric pairing, you’ll see it here.

Gorges

Since relationships are a two-way deal, I want to hear from you.  Leave a comment!  Let me know what you want to learn.  Tell me what challenges or discourages you in your relationship with buttons.   I’m here to answer questions, incite enthusiasm, and offer delight – to help you find closure with buttons!

Dixie