Anyone out there Collect Buttons - tell me about it please
By shelagh77
@shelagh77 (3643)
February 13, 2007 5:02am CST
I have a really large collection of buttons, dating back from my Great Grandmother right down to today. Some of them are really incredible, three inch diameter works of art, and there are little glass bead-like button, buttons from raincoats - black has changed over the years, there are about a hundred shades! When I try matching a set, I have real fun (not!)
We are looking for the camera so I can put a photo up later, but do you collect buttons, please could I know about your collection and if you have a special button could I have a photo?
Some of the buttons I have have special memories too, such as the gilt buttons I sewed onto the very first cardigan I made for my mother when I was fourteen. I felt so clever, my first adult garment! It was an aran design in beautiful lime green wool, and she wore it until it virtually fell to pieces, then unpicked it and made herself a hat and gloves set from the yarn, so that she would still remember the lovely cardigan I made for her.
3 people like this
3 responses
@rainbow (6761)
•
13 Feb 07
I have several jars of old buttons on top of my kitchen cupboard, there are some strange ones in them. Some of them have names on, don't know if they are worth anything.
I have some that were on my baby clothes and never throw a button away if the clothes go in the rag bag.
I have a silver coloured basilbrush face button somewhere that my mum sewed on a jumper when I was about a year old, it's quite nice.
Don't think I collect them, you have to make an effort for that and I'm too lazy.
@shelagh77 (3643)
•
14 Apr 07
I have about twenty jars of buttons lol. The special ones, such as ones with memories are in a special place, the old ones I hope to sell, and the others, well, I never have to buy a button lol.
That silver coloured basil brush one may well be a collectors item, but the sentimental value is enormous, isn't it.
If you send me a photo to my own mail of some of the older ones and tell me what you think they are made of bone, plastic, Bakelite etc and I will try to find out for you. Most buttons are only worth a couple of pounds even if they are old, but you never know . . .
2 people like this
@rainbow (6761)
•
16 Apr 07
I don't really want them valued, lol. I don't even know why I never throw a button away, must just be one of those things. I'll have to find the basil brush ones sometime, hope dad's not thrown them out, think they may be in my roof somewhere. Be a shame if they're lost, they just look nice in their little jar on top of kitchen cupboards.
1 person likes this
@shelagh77 (3643)
•
25 Apr 07
Well, sorry to disagree, but the more unusual ones you should really get put into one of those little display boxes, you know, little wooden squares with glass, maybe Shrek could make one?
You should have them valued at some stage too, as no house insurer would acknowledge them unless you had a value. The ordinary buttons could stay looking pretty in the jar, but the others, I would definitely display. Up high, naturally.
hugs
@petspets (476)
• Antarctica
16 Apr 07
Wow. Your buttons are family heirlooms. My collection of buttons are from everyday clothes. I cut them out from old worn out clothes before they are recyled into rags. Some of them are ten years old. They are nothing compared to your collection of buttons.
1 person likes this
@shelagh77 (3643)
•
23 Jun 07
Yes, some of the buttons certainly are heirlooms and also very interesting from a historical point of view. I think it is very sad that families do not keep up this old tradition, not only is it a pretty form of recycling but also it can save a lot of money, when you consider how much new buttons can cost.
You say your are "only" from everyday clothes, but so were these antique ones once, you know!
I hope you enjoy building your collection, and adding some more unusual ones to your button box.
@shelagh77 (3643)
•
14 Apr 07
Well done you on the silver dollars. Have you started to collect buttons now I gave you the idea, or do you just throw away old garments without removing the buttons?
