1. The husk is scraped off and the flesh is removed. The shell is boiled to remove parasites (eew!) and soften the fiber for further scraping and cleaning.

2. The scraped shells are cut into blanks – the shapes of the finished buttons.

3. The blanks are tumbled in a rotary drum to smooth the edges.

4. The holes are cut and patterns are engraved.

5. The buttons are given a final washing and polishing, and put in a hot room to dry. The temperature must be just right, in order to prevent them from cracking.

6. Once dried, a finish of varnish, paint or dye may be added.

Much of this process is now mechanized, but it most surely evolved from centuries-long methods that have improved over time. Each of these tasks can certainly be performed by hand, but how much easier it must be to have the help of machines!

In fact, I recently participated in the hand-made process by adding a coat of paint to a coconut shell button. We have sold out of the buttons at Sawyer Brook, and I took the last one, which had faded from spending years under florescent lighting on a display board. It had become a dull, pale pink (sorry, I didn’t take a “before” photo). After looking and looking for the perfect button for a jacket I was sewing, I realized I could paint the button and it would be just perfect. I gave it a couple of coats of Lumiere paint (acrylic with metallic particles), and it’s quite a stunner!

I used the same color of paint in some swirly patterned silk screen painting on the jacket, so the button ties in nicely. I’ll add a photo showing the painting to give you a better idea of the overall effect.

Painting the button was not difficult at all – I’m not an expert by any means – so don’t let the process intimidate you. It was fun, easy, and gave this jacket a real pop of color!

Our newest coconut button is Meander:

Meander

Smoothed down to a concave disk and richly dyed in tones of mustard, olive and rhubarb, this large button is eched with a linear formation of tiny circles. The design reminds us of the classic Greek key motif, or a maze. Both the colors and the styling of this natural beauty drew us in.

Mehndi is my personal favorite of our coconut buttons.

Mehndi

I just love the allover paisley-like laser etching, and the rich colors. The design reminds me of the traditional henna tattoos worn on the hands of Indian women.

Another large coconut button in our collection is Maya.

Maya

This large button is made a bit differently. The rounded (convex) side is the right side of the button. It’s cut quite thick, and left somewhat rough. Then it is carved with rectangular motifs. The final coating of golden paint-like color makes the texture come alive.

A bit smaller in size, but also thickly cut, is Kera:

Kera

Etched rings of color and very large holes for sewing make this a real stand-out. Like all of our coconut shell buttons, no two of these are exactly alike. That’s what we love about buttons made from natural materials!

Flash has been given a touch of laser etching and glitter!

Flash

We love it when technological advances merge with organic products. See the laser etching that forms rays across the surface of the button? That’s so unusual! Topping the button with a sprinkle of glitter and a glossy clear coat makes it a real stunner. Who would have thought you could accomplish this with coconut?!

Carving is what makes Castaway so unique:

Castaway

The basketweave design really shows off the variations in the coconut and the dye. We love this on on linens and other natural fabrications.

So, how are coconut buttons cared for? Since they are a porous, natural material, we recommend  dry cleaning. It would be good to cover them with foil or button protectors first, as some of the etching could be fragile. We haven’t experimented with hand washing, but we suspect that would be ok, provided the garment isn’t soaked for any length of time. Drying off the buttons with a towel immediately after washing would help keep them from absorbing excess water. To test it first, you might try wetting the back of a button to see how it reacts with the water.

Several more coconut shell styles are available in our “Other Natural Materials Page”. Check them out to see what might work for your jacket or handknit garment!

Navy Newport with Gidget Buttons

When I saw the fabric, I immediately thought of Gidget, a cool authentic 1970′s retro button. However, matching navy tones can be a challenge, so I was very pleased to find it’s a nearly perfect color match. What doubled my pleasure is how nice the buttons look on the reverse coloration of the fabric, white with navy stripes:

White Newport with Gidget

These two fabrics are perfect for using together in one garment. I’d love to see them as a jacket, with the contrasting color on the neckline and pocket facings. How would you use them? Whatever you would choose to make, these buttons would win the match!

Gidget on Newport

P.S. The Gidget buttons are low in stock and we can’t obtain more, so if this combination appeals to you, order soon!

I don’t recall exactly where I learned to sew on buttons, or who taught me. Was it Girl Scouts? Junior high school home economics class? My grandmother? It doesn’t really matter. I just know I’ve become sloppy at it, and I could use a refresher.

When Barb sent me a link to a tutorial from a Savile Row tailor, Thomas Mahon, I clicked on it right away. Button sewing envy ensued! I never knew a sewn-on button could look so beautiful! Using clear writing and good photos, Mahon gave me a couple of good tips in his blog post.

Using part of a wooden matchstick to form space for a thread shank is brilliant. I’ve usually used a tapestry needle or toothpick, but they always roll away until I get them well-anchored. That flat little bit of wood isn’t going to go anywhere! Mahon has me brainstorming for smaller, non-rolling items I could sew the button over to create shorter shanks for shirts or dresses. Any ideas?

Waxing the thread is another thing I never do. I’ve heard of it – I even own a little beeswax thread thingy. But have I practiced it? Never. I suspect it is the secret to that strong, stiff thread shank shown in the tutorial photo. Note to self: find thread waxer and keep it next to my sewing chair. Speaking of that shank, how did he get it so even, so perfect? Lots of practice, I’m sure.

Now, I don’t expect my next button sewing project to look as terrific as Thomas’ does. Years of sewing buttons on jackets has given him opportunity to hone his craft to near perfection. But I do expect my next button sewing project will look better than my last.

How about you, readers? Do you have any tips for sewing on buttons? Any kind of buttons, any sorts of tips, we’d love to read your helpful hints here. In fact, we’re so eager to read your tips that we’re having a contest. The SB staff will vote for their favorite tip, and the winner will receive $5.00 toward her/his next button purchase. So get on board and let us know what helps you sew on buttons beautifully!

P. S. We’ll announce the winner March 15, so be sure to enter before then!

When love is in the air, what’s a button lover to do besides pine for red buttons? These are my personal favorites. Each is red; each is unique! Here is why I love them.

Gala

This gorgeous button from Italy is simple yet so stylish. Gala is a hefty slice of shell, richly dyed and painted with a silver metallic swirl. Over an inch in diameter, I’d love it on a red wool jacket. Or, how about hand painting a red ponte with a similar motif, and using this as a closure? Inspiring!

Rome

Rome lives at the far end of the shiny – matte spectrum. The finish on this Italian-made beauty is subtly textured, making it super matte. It almost looks flocked, but the surface is hard and durable. The architecturally inspired shape also offers appeal. Very unusual!

Gorges

Also from Italy, Gorges and Zoe are cousins of sorts. Molded from the same base polymer material, their shapes and finishes make them quite different. Gorges has been “tumbled”, as the industry calls it. I picture one of those rock polishing gizmos that were popular when I was a kid. You put your rocks in a jar along with some sort of grit, turned the machine on, and the jar turned round and round for hours.  Presto – the rocks came out smooth and shiny. I don’t know how buttons are tumbled, but the process leaves them with a smooth matte finish. We’re big fans of tumbled buttons around here. They don’t stand out like glossy ones do, so they work well on sportswear.

Zoe

On the other hand, we know there are times when glossy is appropriate, and Zoe is the perfect candidate for dressier garments. What a difference a finish can make!

Taabu Maua

In the category of “how did they do that?”, Taabu Maua  is a stunning example of organic material meeting man-made polymer. An acacia flower petal is carefully laid over the red polymer base and the whole surface is given a thick glossy coat. A nature lover at heart, I love the wispy-ness of the petal.

Mehndi

Saving my absolute favorite for last, Mehndi encompasses several elements I like in a button. The material is – believe it or not – coconut shell! The design is carved into the surface, offering both pattern and texture. Natural material and a slightly ethnic appeal make this big button a stand-out on an arty garment. You can bet I’ll be adding this one to my collection, and designing a garment inspired by it.

How about you? What are your favorite red buttons?

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?