Day 21 : D'Anjou

Day 21 : D'Anjou

Today's button is another trial for new moulds - which I am quite happy with in the end. Turned out a little more couture than I thought it might. D'Anjou - a type of pear, and one that also has a red variety. 

I've used silk satin and Au Ver a Soie Soie Perlee thread (I love this thread), and placed a second satin covered disc at the back to protect the layers.

Size: 25mm / 1" /  40L

Day 20 : Skep

Day 20 - Skep

This little button is based on some that have survived on a 17th century sleeve. Well, I think that's the date. I cannot, for the life of me, find the reference that goes with the image that I have. Which is terrible of me. I am usually pretty good at keeping details when I find images. So I am hoping I'll be able to track it down.

This was worked over our specially made wooden moulds (sorry, one that's currently out of stock...). I've used a fine silk and gilt ( real gold plated) thread. 

A bit of a pain to photograph, because the gold messes up with the camera, but got there in the end. Named because it is a little like the shape of a skep. 

Size (across the bottom) : 12mm / 7/⁄8" / 18L

Day 19 : Iced Star

Day 19 : Iced Star

This button mixes a lot of traditional thread wrapping, weaving and needlework techniques. Mixing up the techniques is something that was done historically. 

The grappé along the edge is often seen to cover areas that were not covered by the main wrapping, or to support threads that would otherwise slip. It is really a blanket stitch, and seen in just about every form of needlework from lace making, embroidery, plain sewing, buttons and other forms of passementerie, and it has many different names depending on the discipline. It is a great stitch to learn how to do well. 

I've used No 12 perle and a No 4 button mould. There's a fair bit of thread on this, so the size has increased a little.

Size: 32mm / just over 1 ¼" / 50L