Buttonsplus

Here is a button of white metal in a sort of triangle shape. It has a black circular disc of which I think is Bakelite with a white metal escutcheon on top. It has a metal loop shank and measures 2 cm. It is quite a striking button.

This is a glass paperweight button which is very colourful. It shows a modern style butterfly and flower. I do not know who made it but it is a bit of fun. I have watched a lady make lampwork glass beads and it is a fascinating craft.

Here are two modern plastic buttons which I bought at a button shop in Melbourne. They are identical in design but in different colour schemes. The floral design is not painted on them but rather embedded in them and they are quite showy. I use the general term plastic as I do not know exactly what they are made from; maybe synthetic. You can see through them.

Here are two simple fabric buttons that were probably made to wear on a dress of the same fabric. The blue one has a pressed brass central disc with a floral design. The red one has lace inserted in the centre. As common they have a metal back with a pad shank. They would have been made when home dressmaking was popular.

I believe this bone button was made in Nepal. It has been tinted brown and has brass decoration with a floral design and two lines of dots. Being oval makes it a little different. It has a brass plate and loop shank.

This Celluloid button is quite nice and a little bit different. It is of a taupe colour with a scrolly design around a central neutral colour on which some berries and leaves are depicted. It has a japanned back which is common on this type of button. It measures a little under 3 cm.

Here are two stitcheries that I did several years ago. I wanted to try something more modern than the traditional embroidery I was used to doing. I was quite happy with the result and the bright colours and various textures of materials and threads turned out well. They are framed in plain gold frames and they make a nice pair on the wall.

This is an example of Heirloom sewing and I made this cushion many years ago. It is all completely stitched by hand including the fine pin tucks and the insertion lace. It is of a very fine material and was lovely to work with. There were many many hours involved.

I made this pincushion many years ago. It is stitched on canvas and is suggestive of a garden. It was fun to do. I have several pin cushions that I have embroidered over the years and they make a nice collection.

Here is a brass picture button showing an Oriental lady in a kimono and holding a fan. There is a cherry blossom tree to the left and some Japanese characters to the right. It is mounted on an orange plastic disc and that is how I bought it; it shows the button up nicely. The button measures 3 1/2 cm. I wonder if it might represent a character from The Mikado?