Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-01
Making Fancy
Buttons :

days, and to be quite up-to-
date they must be things of
beauty, if not of utility. The manu-
facture at home of original but
tons is an easy and attractive task,
the success of which depends on a
good eye for color, together with
quick fingers and due regard for ex-
actitude of detail and clish.
A supply of woodeA moulds in
different sizes. will be needed, and
small rings for the framework of
skeleton" buttons. Almost any
material can be pressed into serv-
ice, provided it accords with the
gown or blouse for which the but
tons are intended; and if the maker
counts a little artistic talent among
her accomplishments, she may make
some very original and beautiful
buttons.
Lace, jet, embroidery, suede and
embroidered kid. real lace motifs"
appliqued on to satin, can all be
pressed into service in fancy but
ton-making.
First, cut round of the material
rather larger than the mould, mark
ing the size of the mould on it with
white cotton, and if the button is
to be embroidered, let this be done
next. The line of cotton will show
where the center of the embroidery
will lie when the button is COM
pleted. A small pad of cotton wool
placed under the stuff often helps
to get better effect.
"Skeleton" buttons, which are
most suited to shirt blouses, are
made upon a small ring as frame
work.
Buttonhole the ring with fine en-
broidery cotton and work a "spi-
der" in the center. A variation on
this is to cover the ring with col
ored batiste, and over this a second
covering of linen, of which some
threads have been drawn. Work
the drawn threads into a pattern so
that the touch of color underneath
is visible.
Where perfectly fat surface to
the button is required, linen but
tons of the kind usually seen on pill
low cases may be used.
French knots may be introduced
on these with good effect. A padded
linen button entirely covered with
French knots, and with a frill of
narrow Valenciennes lace, in imita-
ton of a daisy, makes another pref
ty lingerie button.
A charming set Of buttons for a
lace blouse may be made of frills of
Valenciennes lace, gathered to the
center and stitched to foundation
of net, with tiny button or fiat
bead on the center of each to hide
the joint. These are, of course, not
intended for working" buttons, but
only serve for decoration.
A more practical button of gath
cred lace over satin can be made in
much the same way as covering
for a wooden mould, with two or
three French knots j.. the center
worked in silk to tone with the color
of the blouse.
A foundation of thick cardboard,
cut to the required size, will form a
good basis for a coat button, while
an oval button covered with the ma
terial of the coat and stitched OF
through perforations in the card
board with thick twisted silk is sim
pie, but effective.
Embroidery likewise plays an i'm.
portant part in button-making, and
a white taffeta button with tiny en-
broidered rose spray has its own
special charm.
Chenille is very adaptable to ths
solid "cartwheel" button. 1t may be
evolved upon a backing of stiff can
vas, the chenille Icing intertwined
with tinsel to tighten it.
This button would be suitable for
a heavy MATERIAL while a lighter
one Of chenille could be made Of
strands radiating from a center in
convolvulus form, the chenille being
crossed with tinsel.
The foundation for this should
be a padded mould, covered with
material to tone or contrast with the
chenille, while a palette or spark
ling jeweled button il the middle
will help to give the fower-like eff
feet.
Military buttons are generally
possessed by most women. One of
these makes an effective center to
a fat puff Of velvet, and forms an
other good example of the coat but
ton. The puff should be cut on the
cross, a cord extending from the
edge across the coat to loop over the
working" button on the other side.
japanese embroidery is another
attractive material with which to
work, the conventional flower de-
signs being particularly adaptable