Monday Morning Inspiration/Buttons

Good Morning All!!! 

With last week being Christmas week, and my little dog being so sick, I decided to take a bit of a cyber break. Funny how that can be rather refreshing. I'm happy to report that Miss Little Bit is doing so much better. Just a week ago, I thought that we were coming to the end. But that night she slowly began to take a turn for the better. I feel that we've been given the gift of a little more time. As long as she is healthy and happy, we'll continue on. My sincere thanks to all of you who sent well wishes her way. If nothing more, it comforted my heart. 

When it comes to buttons, I think we are always on the hunt for the perfect button, and sadly, that perfect button can sometimes be rather elusive. A number of years ago, I was making a jacket that I really needed to finish that night in order to wear the next day. When it came to the buttons, nothing I had would work and it was far too late in the evening to go out and find buttons. I ended up cutting the straps off of a summer dress in order to have enough braided cord to make the knot buttons that I decided would work. You can find the post about it HERE. Below you see the jacket. 

The rattail cord was actually braided prior to the balls being made. Worked out so well.

Below is a wonderful tutorial on making knot buttons. This is something to just try out with some leftover rattail cord when you are not desperate like I was.

Many of us have vintage pieces of embroidery that either have stains, holes, or both. A lovely idea is to cut them apart and make buttons. Another nice idea would be to get large covered buttons and make pins for family members. Then everyone can have a little useful piece of history. An embroidered pin is always lovely on a sweater or summer dress. 

When it comes to making a button for a blouse of jacket, the buttons featured below are a wonderful idea. You can find the rings in the home dec department of your local fabric store. Add a little batting to the center to give the button a nice rounded top.

The buttons pictured below are a little time consuming, but I think they would be so pretty made from buttonhole twist. As featured, they are perfect for your hand knitted items. You can find the tutorial HERE.

I had not thought of making square buttons, but I came across this on Pinterest and loved the idea. Sadly, I wasn't able to find a link to the original post, but the pictures are quite clear, so I think you could easily duplicate the idea. If anyone does know of the original source, please let me know and I will add the link.

The next 2 ideas are simply sweet. Neither would take much time and they would look lovely on a sweater or a child's dress. HERE'S a link to the crocheted buttons.

No link to this one, but so easy to do. Just cut a piece of felt, sew on the button and add the simple embroidery stitches. 

I featured this button in a previous post, but I think it is well worth repeating as it would get you out of a button pinch with many garments. And even better, they are super easy to make. HERE'S a link to the detailed instructions. 

May you never be desperate at midnight, especially for a button!!!!
Enjoy this last week of 2015!
Rhonda