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Friday, August 5, 2011

My Vintage Button Stash...Too Much of a Good Thing?

So when I was sewing the Sorbetto top I wrote about last time, I tried a few buttons just below the neckline in front. I rooted around in my large button coffee can, and rustled up a few possibilities. Some of my buttons are strung or on cards, so they are easy to locate, and I always know how many I have to use. The rest of them were (!) in a miserable heap at the bottom of the can. I inherited our late Grandma's button stash, and while I'm sure she knew what was in her tin, I had only a faint inkling from previous rummagings. I thought of this as I tried the buttons out on the blouse, and today I set about making them all visible and tidy. Would you believe it took me a good portion of the day? Turns out, I have buttons....
 And more buttons....
 And, yes, more buttons....

 And, well, even more buttons....
There are more buttons that I didn't photograph here, because they were in my "to get rid of" button bag already. But don't call "Hoarders" just yet. I now have one tidy coffee can full of the buttons I intend to keep, and the ones I am getting rid of are on their way out. I will probably list them on eBay or Etsy. How did I organize this off the chain collection? I pilfered a wonderful idea from a fellow seamstress (Jenny of Kerrfect) over at the Sew Retro blog. I reproduced one of my own vintage button cards (you can have the download for your personal use here free), and printed several with which to wrangle these little beasties. I wish I had looked back at Jenny's files first, because she has some really cute button cards! Oh well, when I was out scouting the thrift and antique shops today, I spied some fabulous vintage red and gold buttons that I probably have to buy. And, I will probably have to put them on Jenny's adorable button card.
Here is my collection being wrangled:
Recognize these lovelies Portia? :)
Aren't they purty?
And just for fun, here's what I am doing with the odd buttons out:
I had some adhesive magnetic tape in my craft cabinet, and we can always use fridge magnets. Plus, they make me smile.

5 comments:

  1. Thanks for the mention! You have a lot of pretty buttons! I'm jealous! I need to print out some more cards and sew my new buttons on too! I saved your version!

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  2. Indeed I do!! Spookily I have Jenni's button card on my desktop ready to print off!! I haven't braved the task yet though, so well done you!!!
    You can never have "too many" of such womderful things!
    Px

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  3. Love the aqua teal ones and the red and orange star ones!!! Such a fabulous collection!

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  4. Hi Abby, MIL (aka GaGa) here. Guess what? There are more buttons in the boxes I brought from mom's house. Did you find the penguin and sailboat buttons? I used to play with those when I was a kid. I just love that you are sewing..along with your blog mates.

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  5. Thanks, ladies, for reading about my button stash without falling asleep! And thanks Gaga :) I love the buttons- and I found two that look like what you are describing. I also looked at the Futura yesterday because I was going to get it ready to run for you, but I couldn't find the cord. Should I keep my eyes open for a new one for you?

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