Happy Button Day!

It's Button Day!

As promised, my Deaths' Head button kits are finished and can be found in my shop, so my Campaign for Leek Buttons is now a little further along. I am also currently experimenting with washable thread buttons. Haven't quite got it right, but am working on it!

Don't want to make thread buttons? Why not dig out your old button box/tin/jar, and see if you have anything interesting that you can add to a coat to brighten it up (I saw a coat last week that was being sold with every button different, shame they were cheap tinny horrid things, sewn on very badly!).

Suffering for my art...

For the first time in many months I've been doing quite alot of fingerloop braids. All with fine silk and three of them nearly 2 meters long (thanks to my hubby for helping!). I enjoy doing it; I can get a good rythm going, but as I haven't done them in such a long time I am now suffering!
(horrid picture follows)


Now, I have to wait until these blisters heal a bit before I touch any fine silk threads, or everything just ends up a mess. I think I will have to discipline myself to do a few braids every month whether I need them or not, just to ensure the callouses stay intact!

The up side is that fingerloop braiding is excellent exercise for the upper arms though - honestly! And at my age, that wouldn't be a bad thing ;) ... and so much more enjoyable than a regular exercise regime methinks!

The Leek button kits are nearly ready, so roll on Button Day!

Writing, writing

I've just finished my latest article for Your Wardrobe Unlock'd: the Costume Maker's Companion, "Embellinshing with Ribbons: Bows, Rosettes and Cockades". This should be published in the December issue. It has step-by-step photos so that you can produce some of these yourself, and I'm hoping that all of my instructions are easy to understand!

Added to that, The Braid Society's Journal 'Strands' has been published this month, with my article about the Luton Braid recreation that I did last year.

Did anyone see Garrow's Law on the BBC? Very interesting, but not enough Leek Buttons, again! I really can't figure it out - the best selling button type of the 18th century, yet never (or very rarely) used in costume drama.... so, I shall shortly be increasing my campaign by making up kits with full instructions, button molds, thread and wax. The more people who can make them, the more chance we'll eventually see them on TV! I hope to have everything finalised in time for 'Button Day' on Nov. 16th. Yes, there is a Button Day. No-one can seem to tell me the origins, and I'm fairly certain its an American thing (probably some advertising campaign originally), but I reckon I'll have to celebrate it!

More buttons

It's been a pretty hectic month all in all, much of which has been spent working away on something that ended up being rather tedious. And of course bookwork, though the actual stress for that has been aliviated, thanks to the postal strike. I will just have to submit my tax returns online this year, as I really don't want to risk getting fined for the return not arriving in time. I somehow doubt I could claim it back from the PO... my energy levels are improving a bit, though not quite, which is irritating when my brain can think of a million things that must be done, or that I want to do!

I have had a productive button making time though!



These buttons are a first attempt at reproducing some Victorian buttons, the images of which were sent to me by a friend. I love the swirly design, and they worked very well as decoration for the jacket they are on.




These little buttons are for a polonaise which Isabella of Prior Attire is making - the polonaise looks lovely so far, and the silk fabric is yummy.



And this is the shoulder knot in place, with the wonderful uniform coat by Ninya Mikhaila. Don't you just love that yellow!

I've also finished one article on medieval passementerie, more of when I know if it has actually been accepted for the publication it's intended for! I suspect I won't know until next year, as it's not due for publication until 2012.

I'm finishing off a new masterclass for Your Wardrobe Unlock'd: the costume maker's companion, on ribbons & bows, for the December issue. I have a zillion photos of step-by-step processes, lets hope it all comes together well!

And advance notice of a book already on Amazon - though not available until July next year!
Sew Eco by Ruth Singer - with illustrations by me!

I have also been sorting. And sorting. And even more sorting. Goodness I have alot of silk and alot of stuff to make tassels with (but never the colour I want/need). I have ordered some wonderful storage units (I want quite a few more, but that will have to wait, the 'dream' work room is rather expensive, lol!)