Tag Archive | Bakelite buttons

National BUTTON WEEK, Day 6!!!

Mar18

In honor of National Button week March 13-19, 2023 I thought that I would share a few of my favorite buttons, and buttons, and lots and lots of buttons. Today, I want to share a few pieces from my collection of novelty buttons. Sometimes these types of buttons are referred to as realistics or goofies.

Button Cards

Realistic buttons were designed to look like the actual shape of the item, and have been around since the 18th century. The first two examples above were probably made during the 1940’s. The last card would be considered as a novelty button, as it is not depicting a specific shape, but I think that they are fun!

Realistic, Goofie, and Novelty Buttons

Realistic, goofie and novelty buttons, can be found made from a variety of materials such as glass, celluloid, wood, Bakelite, and other materials.

Top two rows believed to be Marion Weeber Welsh Designs
Fruit Shaped Buttons

Fruit shapes seemed to be very popular. The artist Marion Weeber Welsh specialized in designing celluloid buttons that resembled fruits and vegetables as well as other imagery.

Sweet Button Groups

Often buttons came in a grouping of similar images, such as the first card with the green accessory shaped buttons. I had to search to collect all of the same buttons in red, as seen in the second card. As you can see from the last card apparently the set was also available in white, navy, and crimson. I included the umbrella, just because it should be shown, no idea what group it might have been a part of!

Recommended Reading

Hope that you enjoyed looking! Happy stitching! ~Christen

Zembroodlery: class/tutorial

Dec8

Zembroodlery: 3 lessons/$30.00

zembroodlery1This is a fun and creative class that uses felt, soutache trim and seed beads to create a colorful base that can be used as a wall hanging, or a pillow. It is an excellent class to learn about free form stitched bead embroidery using the shapes of the felt as a design element. The project in is all hand-sewn, with no sewing machine needed.

Skill Level – Beginning/Intermediate: some hand sewing needed; minimal beading knowledge needed.

Lesson 1: The base of the felt is first cut into shapes, which are reverse appliquéd with additional pieces and colors of felt. Soutache trim is then stitched to the appliquéd shapes.

Lesson 2: The beading begins! Several different bead embroidery stitches will be explored using size 6, 8 and 11seed beads. Sequins, buttons and larger beads will also be used.

Lesson 3: Additional rows of soutache trim are added to fill in the design. Then beads, buttons, and more are stitched in and around the new rows. Suggestions for finishing the base will also be given.

Class Information

These classes can be purchased at any time, there is no set schedule. The class can be ordered by contacting Christen: thestoreonthecorner@gmail.com. She will send you an invoice through PayPal.

Once the class is paid for, the supply list will be sent out. The lessons will begin one week after the purchase of the class, unless otherwise stated. You will receive an email with the lesson attached. The following lesson/s will arrive one week after the previous lesson.

A high speed internet connection is recommended, and you must have basic computer and internet skills. You will need to be able know how to download and save a document to your computer’s hard drive, open it and print out a copy.

You can contact Christen with any questions pertaining to the class/class information throughout the length of the class.

Class fees will not be refunded.

Happy Stitching,

~Christen

Friday’s Favorites: Whistle Buttons

Jul10

a collection of whistle buttons

a collection of whistle buttons

I love buttons, old, new, nice, not so nice, clean or grungy; with holes or with shanks; glass, rubber, celluloid, Bakelite, shell, composition, plastic, horn, or bone.

This is a collection of my favorite style of button, which are the whistle buttons. The construction is such that there is a large hole in the front and you can see the two or four holes through this that you use to sew them onto the garment.

This collection here pretty much runs the gamut on the type of materials that can be found with this style. Some of the fancier are of course the composition buttons that are inlaid with abalone or mother of pearl.

Here is a great blog Button Floozies. You will also find and interesting pdf to download on Piecework Magazine’s website, Great-Aunt Belle’s Buttons.

Happy day to you, have fun collecting, and enjoy what you do! Christen