Author: admin

I like carved bakelite buttons, lots being dark brown or black. These two are more colourful, the first being Applejuice bakelite. They are chunky and I guess could only be used on thick material. They both have a brass loop shank.

This is a rather striking enamel button with the pink and blue flowers standing out nicely against the black background. It has a border of cut steels which make it look a bit classy. At 3 cm in diameter it is a nice size.

This glass paperweight button is quite bright in Autumn colours with a green base. It has a metal loop shank. I do not know who the maker is. It measures a little over 2 cm. I like glass buttons because of the wonderful colours achieved in them.

These three buttons are actually covered with pieces of old worn out doyleys. They are opp shop finds from when I was busy doing crazy patchwork. I didn’t notice when I was making them that the 1st button has a centre missing on the flower. Now I see it all the time!!

Here are some more modern MOP buttons which have been painted and then etched with the design. The blue ones have quite an intricate pattern while the black ones feature a bird on a twig. You can tell that they are done by hand as when you look at the detail they are not exactly the same. That adds to their interest.

These three Mother of Pearl buttons are modern and all have the same design but in different colours.. They have been painted or dyed, I am not sure which and then been etched to show the shell colour underneath. They were bought new and I still look occasionally in the shops in case a button jumps out at me. They all have their part in the history of buttons and fashion.

These buttons are Opp Shop finds. They are metalized plastic outer with a plastic centre which resembles Tiger’s Eye natural stone. Plastic can imitate all types of materials and has done over the years. I have lots of this type of button with the central piece imitating coloured glass or pearl etc. I guess they are from the 1980s – 90s but am not sure.

Here is a group of pressed plastic buttons from the 1930s – 40s. I have a lot of these buttons and rather like them because of their simple designs and subtle colours. They are all sew through type. They would have been a very suitable button say on a cotton dress.

Here we have some old plastic buttons and a buckle probably from the 1940s. The buttons have different designs on them and are sew through type. The buckle has a pressed floral pattern and would look nice on a belt of a dress of appropriate material. By choosing the right buttons and buckle you could really make a dress look great.

This button is made of various threads in different colours wound over a wooden mould. It was used during the period 1920 to 1925 by Paul Poiret who was a popular French Fashion Designer of the time. I have seen fashions designed by him on the net and I can just imagine what type of garment this button would have been used on; very elegant.