Day 182 : Bobbin

Day 182 : Bobbin .

I have to say I am happy with this! It is, after all, a pretty good definition of a thread button! 

The thread is a filament silk that I hand dyed many, many years ago. The purple colour was an accident - I seem to recall it was cochineal, but the pot was just an old pot - you should know what the pot is made of for a proper recipe. Of course, that meant my attempt at a good medieval colour was out the window, but the purple made me very happy. 

Size: 11mm / 1⁄2" / 22L

Day 181 : Fiery

Day 181 : Fiery

Something to remind us of those hot, summer days that have now gone... :)

Seriously, no wonder the Brits talk about the weather so much! It was so hot last week, and today I'm putting on a real coat to walk Toby. A proper British Summer - all the seasons in a day - that's for sure. 

This is a soft button, that started life as a flat cloth button, which I started putting little stitches randomly on the surface. That was not very pretty. So I decided on a different route. What you can't see here is that I have managed to manipulate this so that the button shape now looks a bit like a cup from the side - it's very interesting.

Size : 10mm / 5⁄8" / 24L

Day 180 : Verge

Day 180 : Verge .

Still on the wildlife theme today - sorry! Not a tulip you'll notice as well. It didn't want to be, it wanted to be this. I didn't fight the button.... I learnt a long time ago it isn't worth trying, lol!

Instead. a little grassy verge.

I've used a No 39 ring again, and No 8 perle cotton to cover the ring. The plants are made with stranded embroidery cotton - one strand on most cases, and I have also used invisible thread.

Size : 24mm / just under 1" / 38L

Day 178 : Lily of the Valley

Day 178 : Lily of the Valley .

Today's button is actually inspired by a stunning button by my friend (and artist) Yoko in Japan. She created the most beautiful iris button. I was going to actually make a tulip (perhaps tonight!) but I saw the beads and thought I would give them a try. I like the effect, and Lily of the Valley is one of my favourite flowers. My button is no where as lovely as hers, but I'll keep practising. 

I've used a No 39 ring, and cotton perle No 12

Size : 24mm / just under 1" / 38L

Day 178 : Shine

Day 178 : Shine .

Today's button uses a really old, traditional technique with some modern thread. I'm afraid the photograph doesn't do the thread justice - it is one of the DMC light effects (I am currently working on a kit using this), and it has all sorts of beautiful colours running through it. It really is best in person.

I've just done one of these buttons with very expensive gilt thread as a sample for a large group I will be doing as a commission. It will eventually end up as uniform decorations being made by Hawthorne & Heaney embroidery specialists in London. As I said, they are very traditional, these days you tend to find them on tassels most often. 

Size: 10mm / 9⁄16" / 22L

Day 177 : Snake

Day 177 : Snake .

Today's button is an idea I've had for a long time - it isn't quite what I wanted, but there is at least one reason for that. This is made with a two-person, fine silk fingerloop braid, the "Thick lace bordered" . A 15th century (at least) pattern, and one that can be found in my book, Tak V Bowes Departed.

My intention was to add Powertex or Paverpol to fully harden the shape after I had stitched it all into place. However, this braid was worked by Elizabeth (my co-author) and I, and I really did not want to ruin it as she has now passed away. I can't replace it after all. 

The eyes are tiny colonial knots in a metal thread, but I reckon teeny beads might be better. 

Size: 12mm / 1⁄2" / 18L

Day 176 : Lotus

Day 176 : Lotus .

For today's button I decided to use soutache braid and some really fancy wired gimp from my stash. Not made by me, but gifted to me. This gimp is like one that was on some rather gorgeous 18th century tassels that I refurbished years back; the original was not wired and was golden yellow. It's really specialist and takes quite a bit of skill. 

The button mould is two of the medium sized rings from the stacker mould set no 45, glued together for a thicker button. I have an original 1960s button with an even thicker core, this depth makes for a nice chunky button. 

I'm pleased with how this turned out. I forget how much I like braid and cord buttons until I make one!

Size: 27mm / 1 1⁄16" /  42L

Oh, and yesterday's button was named because it just reminded me of the Fast Show's weather sketch and the great, late Caroline Aherne. If you are of a certain age here in the UK, this comes to mind whenever it is hot :)

Day 175 : Scorchio!

Day 175 : Scorchio!

Ok, hands up if you know why this button has this name :)

It's been a long day here - moving boxes and sorting the unit. We waited all day for some racking to arrive, but it didn't. But, we can see the beginnings of some good ideas for working more efficiently. It's going to take some time though. Only thing is, I'm tired out now! So, the brain isn't doing a good job of thinking of what to write! But I was pleased when I looked at the button and thought of this name. It does suit it.

Keep well watered folks, this week is meant to be really hot. 

Materials: No 4 mould and cotton perle no 12.

30mm / 1 3/16" / 48L

Day 174 : Knoll

Day 174 : Knoll .

Today's button was, I thought, going to be a little different. I used a punch needle - I'm not very practised with this tool, but I do enjoy the process. I have a vintage set, with different sizes of needle, but for this used a modern version. The grey parts in between are straight and split stitches.

But, I'm looking at this and thinking, I've done this already. Check this year - no, I haven't, not really. I kept thinking it looked a bit like moss. And that was the answer. During my 2016 challenge, Day 270 - Moss. Actually really similar. That one is worked on grey silk fabric, with only a small amount of embroidery (which was not done with a punch needle). Interesting. Perhaps something I should develop a little further, if only in my sketchbooks...

Size: 20mm  / 3⁄4" / 32L

Day 173: Ordinary

Day 173 : Ordinary.

Today's button is really described by it's name. Quite an ordinary layered zwirnknopf, with additional embroidery. Worked over a clear acrylic ring, so you do get an extra impression of depth. 

While ordinary, as far as techniques go, I think it is good to think about the basics every once in a while - go back and remember what started it all! I worked a long time on a button idea last night that just did not want to work. It was not going to happen, period. But, turning to something more ordinary reduced the stress levels right away. 

Size: 40mm / 19⁄16" / 62L

Day 172 : Flurry

Day 172 : Flurry .

Today's button is a zwirnknopfe - but going a bit against the 'rules'. So another doodle really! This is becoming a bit of a habit. 

I'm busy trying to reorganise my home craft space, which honestly is quite a job. At about 3pm I had ideas for loads of buttons, now I'm tired and have forgotten many.  Mind you, there's still a fair bit to do tomorrow, so maybe I'll remember some of them! The bookcases still look lovely though anyway.

I've used a No 105 ring, and cotton perle No 12

Day 171 : Intertwined

Day 171 : Intertwined .

I felt the need to use sparkly threads. I've been going through my fancy goldwork supplies, looking for bits for a commission, which I suppose is where the thought came from. These are DMC metallics, hence the bright colours!

I've been trying to do some sorting and organising today. I have two new bookcases - yes two! So, a lot of my research papers have now come out of a cupboard which now need to house messy materials, but I STILL HAVE BOOKSHELF SPACE!!! I can now have more books.... 

Don't tell anyone ;)

Size: 26mm / just over 1" / 41L

Day 170 : Dianthus

Day 170 : Dianthus .

An Elizabethan-style carnation for today's button. Quite simple really, as it is embroidered in one colour, but very relaxing. The thumb was a bit better, but this rotten weather isn't doing it much good (I really am dreading winter if this is the case!) so again, back to something that doesn't cause it too much trouble. I think it will be embroidery for a little while yet!

I've used a plain cotton fabric - nothing special - and DMC stranded cotton. Which is still being added to the website. Hope to go live next week, yay!

Size: 41mm / 1 5⁄8" / 67L

Day 169 : Quinary

Day 169 : Quinary .

I decided I ought to use a colour other than blue! Not sure where the blue run came from, will have to keep an eye out in future. However, it is another 5 sided. Which I will also have to watch, seeing as there are only so many words I can use to name the button :)

Cotton perle size 12 throughout on this one, a bit of wrapping, a bit of weaving and a little bit of needlework too. A little more complex than Day 153's five sided, and a different centre treatment. 

Size : 25mm / 1" / 40L

Day 168 : Gyre

Day 168 : Gyre .

A tale of two buttons.... haha. So, a basic zwirnknopfe button, with a little bird's eye button at the centre. All of the beads were added as embellishment afterwards.  I quite like this one. The bird's eye adds just a little bit of interest. 

I guess this makes the "not a Dorset button" a Dorset button?

Size (excluding edge beads): 27mm / 1 1⁄16" / 42L 

Day 167 : Ebb

Day 167 : Ebb .

Today's button is something different!

I used the same ground fabric as yesterday's button. However, I stitched down torn pieces of handmade papers (fibres of which are unknown, stash stuff!). I've added a bit of random stitching and knots with embroidery floss (1 or 2 strands). I did pad a little when I covered the button mould, and then I coated the whole thing with a layer of "Fabricoat".

This is a waterproof gel which is used to get a washable, waterproof fabric, which I have had for a couple of years at least with the intention of using it for buttons. Honestly, I haven't tried it until now! I haven't followed the instructions - this hasn't been heat treated, so won't be fully waterproof, but there is definitely a protective layer. Which also glistens a little like water...

I am definitely going to try this again...

(Oh, and blogger has changed the dang interface again!! grrrrr)

Size: 25mm / 1" / 40L

Day 166 : Scratch

Day 166 : Scratch .

Today's button is another embroidered - again, no real purpose, just mark making. It is a busy housework sort of weekend, you can only put it off for so long, haha! So I need something easy on the mind. Haven't quite decided what I will do tonight, but I have a little bit of an idea...

I didn't pad this one when I covered it. I'm not sure how I feel about that. It is rather flat. I quite like the softness a little padding adds.

Materials - cotton fabric from my stash, stranded embroidery cotton and a No 3 mould.

Size: 25mm / 1" / 40L

Day 165 : Foolish Design

Day 165 : Foolish Design .

Today's button is felt applique with embroidery, on a fabric ground. Another doodle really, but starting out with the felt pieces to make the designs. Very relaxing, and again, something I can work in the hoop and keep my thumb rested. Which is a total laugh as we ended up putting together a bookcase (and another tomorrow), so it isn't getting that much of a rest.

Mark really likes this one and said I should do a kit with designs like this. Hmmm. 

So the fabric is a cotton, and then standard craft felt. Threads, DMC stranded cotton. The mould, a No 4. I've also padded out the mould with two layers of felt when I've covered the button. 

I was asked yesterday - I do most embroidered buttons with the fabric stretched in a hoop. I just prefer doing embroidery like this. I know some people embroider onto covered buttons when they have been covered. I've done that too, but for a doodle, I prefer the hoop method. Not least because it is less strain on the hand holding the work.

Size: 31mm / 1 1⁄4" / 48L

Day 164 : Bess

Day 164 : Bess .

Another embroidery for today's button. I think my thumb has given me a real chance to get back into embroidery - I used to do it all the time. When I was first married, we were really skint. I was given a box of really old, lovely coloured sewing threads (I was making curtains and stuff for our home) and I embroidered with them, both mothers got embroidered flower pictures for Christmas that year, I think some sisters-in-law got things, and Mark got embroidered bookmarks...

Using sewing thread took forever, but I think it probably set me up for doing fine silk embroidery later :) . I've recently found quite a few of my drawings that were for embroideries "when I can afford the proper thread". 

So, I have used some fabric that was eco-dyed, and some stranded cotton. The edge is cotton perle No 8, and the mould is a No 6.

Size : 41mm / 1 5⁄8" / 67L

Day 163 : Doodle

Day 163 : Doodle.

A true doodle button! :)

Today's button is embroidered - my thumb has been bothering me again so I decided to give it a bit of a rest. I suspect that this is something I will simply need to adjust too. I am hoping the current cold and damp weather isn't contributing, or winter is going to problematic...

I've been inspired here by my friend Barbara Gray, who has been basically doing a drawing / doodle class every day on Facebook. She really is helping so many people stay sane. Others who have been doing the same since lockdown are Lesley Wharton, Lou Withers, and John Lockwood - daily coming up with things to inspire others to relax and create. I'm awe of that. I so wish I could watch every one of the every day.

I've used a cotton fabric and DMC stranded embroidery cotton (which - we will soon be stocking! yay!) and a No 4 mould.

Size : 32mm / 1 1⁄4" / 50L

Day 162 : Federation

Day 162 : Federation.

Today's button is very much an experiment - playing with different ways of wrapping a triangular shape. There are a few gaps, I'm not too worried about those, I don't think that you really notice them unless pointed out. 

That's the thing about wrapped buttons. Many people try to put too much thread onto the mould - hoping to cover ever single part. Usually, you will get a much neater design with a little space between the wraps - not too much of course, but enough to stop you placing too many wraps. Too many wraps can cause tension issues and you'll find that threads end up overlapping. 

And the name? It makes me think of the Star Trek badge a bit ;)

I've used a No 88 button mould and No 12 perle cotton thread.

Size: 25mm / 1" / 40L

Day 161: Amity

Day 161 : Amity.

Really, there are only so many names that you can use, in all reality for the word star. Time to start thinking of other things unrelated. These colours make me think of hippies so I thought of chilled out sort of words... yes, my mind is wandering.

Naming these things is much harder than making them this time around. It was all so much easier in 2016. :)

I've used a No 4 button mould and No 12 cotton perle. 

Size : 30mm / 1 1⁄4" (nearly) / 48L

Day 160 : Push

Day 160 : Push.

See what I did there? haha.

Super simple button today. I've used a rather thick slice bead from my stash - 6mm high - and wrapped it using a death's head wrap. However, the thick shape needed something to ensure it all stays, so what isn't super clear in this image is four rows of weaving around the side. Oh, and I used a No 12 cotton perle.

I guess, because I chose red, the button is a stop button...

Size: 10mm / 3/8" (just over)/ 16L

Day 159 : Dither

Day 159 : Dither.

Today's button was more mondful than the name suggests - a little padded piece of eco-dyed fabric and a meadering couched piece of gimp. The background is a basic zwirnknopfe wrap with cotton perle No 12, to give a ground to work the other stitching.

I'm really not at all sure what I'll be doing for tomorrow's button. I usually have at least an idea in mind, but that's not really happened today. I'm sure I'll figure something out...

Size : 30mm / 1 1⁄4" (nearly) / 48L 

Day 158 : Boxy

Day 158 : Boxy.

Another doodle button. This time I used a variegated thread for the majority of the button - I do like to see how the colours end up, with some techniques it lines up so well. It did this time, which I was surprised about as I wasn't thinking about it. I was rather hoping for something a little more uneven :)

For use, the weather has changed - got caught in a thunderstorm yesterday and somehow still feel damp today! Still, a few more days of rain should help my sinuses. Keep well everyone.

Size: 25mm / 1" / 40L

Day 157 : Meadow

Day 157 : Meadow

Well, I did say to myself at the start of this that I would not name according to the colours that I use, as a design could be worked in any colour. But, this did make me think of a meadow, so I guess I can break my own rules.

This is a very simple button really - it is made of a double spun cord. Basically I made two different 3 strand cords, and then spun those two together to make one. That one has then been glued to a button mould in a spiral. The mould is from my stash, not actually a mould but a wood plug without a hole. 

The threads are all fine silk, again from my stash. Cords like this can be made with sewing threads - machine rayon works really well too, but so does cotton. It's worth having a play.  

Size : 25mm / 1" / 40L

Day 156 : Knapp

Day 156 : Knapp

Well, it's been one of those days. So, today's button is "button" in Swedish. I actually like this idea, so be prepared for a few other translations as the year goes on, especially when the creative part of my brain goes on strike :)

So.... this button had been made using a No 3 mould. It is thread wrapped, but then again, thread wrapping with a larger foundation cross is really a zwirnknopfe, right? hmm... either way, what is certain is that this is not a ring button!

Size : 25mm / 1" / 40L

155 : Harmony

Day 155 : Harmony

Today's button is a ring button, zwirnknopfe wrapped style. I placed so many layers that I didn't even blanket stitch the edge in the end - there simply wasn't room! I did make sure that the stitches were secured though, so that they can't slide on the ring. 

What you can't see is the subtle differences in some of the colours. There's a white and slightly darker white, a yellowy brown, a beige with more yellow tones and one with more pink, as well as dark brown and black. They just didn't photograph well, though they can be seen in daylight.

I've used a No 8 and No 12 cotton perle.

Size: 31mm / 1 3⁄16" / 48L

Day 154 : Solitary

Day 154 : Solitary

Today's button certainly classes as a doodle button, as I did not know what I was going to do until it happened. There are wrapped threads, some of which have been over-wrapped. Very meditative. Which was needed, as I was quite worn out yesterday. Am again today, I must be getting old ;) I was originally looking for an amber bead, but actually quite like this one.

I've used a No 3 button mould, covered in silk fabric.

Size: 25mm / 1" / 40L

Day 153 : Seren

Day 153 : Seren

Today's button is very straightforward - I did spend a lot of time prepping yesterday, and must admit I was surprised I was able to come up with an idea. Tonight might be a little harder; it has been a long day.

Thank you to everyone who tuned in to the shows. It was lovely, if a little odd to be back at the studio. I am a little deaf in one ear and it is quite hard to hear someone speaking to you in a live studio quietly, when they are 2m away! I had a green room to myself, and there is a one way system set up in the building. What an odd world we currently live in.

Starting with a No 63 mould , I've wrapped using a basic death's head wrap, changing the colours as I felt like it. The centre can't be fully covered working in this way, so instead I decided to use a needle work technique to fill the area.

I've used perle cotton No 12. 

Size : 25mm / 1" / 40L