Buttons for Sewing and Needlework
Well Chosen Buttons Bring Additional Style to your Sewing Project
Jun 26, 2007
Buttons are an essential part of sewing and needlework. As well as playing an important part in fastening garments, closing bags and securing soft furnishings, they can also provide some extra decoration to a design, and indeed can be used just for ornamental purposes if required.
History
Buttons have been used for centuries to fasten clothing, with buttons gaining popularity in Europe in the 13th century, which would have coincided with the trend towards fitted clothes. Whilst buttons have been found dating much further back in history, it is thought that these would have been more for decoration than functionality.
The early buttons would be made from metal, bone or horn, and would have been hand carved. Later on buttons were made from shell such as mother of pearl. These buttons would be hand crafted and as such would be expensive and remained only accessible royalty and noblemen, the vast majority of the population would rely on cords and ties to fasten garments. It was not until button making machinery was introduced that buttons became truly widely accessible to all areas of the population. In the beginning of the 20th century there was a fashion for bakelite buttons and today these vintage buttons are highly collectible.
Buttons in fashion
Today, there is a wide choice of button types available, ranging from the traditional through to more unusual button styles. Buttons are made from many different materials, meaning that a button for almost every occasion is available. Man made materials also means that buttons can be washed and tumble dried with little ill effect – although with some fancy handmade buttons it is still worth hand washing a garment so as not to risk damage to the buttons. There are two basic types of button, those with holes which you sew through, and those with shank. Shanked button have a loop attached to the rear side and this is attached to the garment.
There is a trend towards handmade buttons. This almost takes us full circle where we have skilled button makers or button artists, making individual hand crafted buttons. When you have invested a lot of time and effort into the production of a garment then getting the right buttons is an important part of the process. These can include ceramic, glass and even polymer clay. Buttons are available in almost every shape and size, and some button makers will be delighted to custom make buttons to your specific requirements.
Some of these handmade buttons are so beautiful and unusual it could be an idea to bring these into the design of your garment even if you don’t have the need for fasteners. For instance a few buttons would add interest to a bag or other accessories – or perhaps sew a few together and make them into a brooch which can be worn with a variety of outfits.
Tips for choosing buttons:
- Choose the right button for the right job - if the item is going to need regular washing then don't use a button which can only be hand washed (or even worse has to be removed prior to each wash!)
- Consider other fastenings for baby and children's clothes.
- If you are using large buttons, make sure they are not too heavy for light weight garments, they may pull the garment out of shape and spoil the drape and fit.
- Keep a look out for vintage or interesting buttons on old garments. Keep the fabric for other projects and reuse the buttons!
- Single or very unusual buttons can make great jewelry or accessories.
Further reading: For more interesting reading we have more articles at the Suite101 Sewing and Needlework site.
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