harpandsong2 posted: " The button jar. I am sure nearly all of you have something come to mind with that phrase. It could be an actual jar, but more than likely, it is an old Christmas cookie tin or recycled plastic butter container packed to the brim with every single button "
The button jar. I am sure nearly all of you have something come to mind with that phrase. It could be an actual jar, but more than likely, it is an old Christmas cookie tin or recycled plastic butter container packed to the brim with every single button that ever crossed the threshold of your great aunt Lucinda's home. If it came into the house, it wasn't leaving unless it you were wearing it. No button would ever be tossed out in the trash with a stained shirt. If Cousin Jane outgrew her dress and it was cut down for scraps, you bet every button off it went into the jar, just in case.
A few weeks ago, I got a laundry basket of vintage items at an estate sale for a fair deal. About a third of the items were junk which I threw out, a few things were practical (dish towels and pillow cases with the tags still on), and there were some great vintage sewing materials. I got two lengths of gorgeous rayon fabric, vintage thread on wooden spools, vintage zippers, vintage sewing tools in original 1960s packaging, and a button jar (a tin in this case).
I love these beautiful cards (even for very simple buttons)!
I was not very hopeful about the button jar, honestly. Unless buttons and are still on cards and unused, the tend to be so mix-and-match that they are only useful if you need just one button for an outfit. Finding a set of more than two or three of the same is nearly impossible. However, I got lucky. I had to do a lot of sorting because only a few were on cards, but I did find many sets of buttons, some of them very fun and unique. I will sell some of the buttons which I will not use personally but there are many sets I'll keep for my stash so I can have a few more options when sewing from vintage patterns.
I thought I'd show you some of my favorites (from both this new haul and what I had collected previously). A few years ago, I got a great deal on a large set of buttons still on there original cards. Now, when I have sets of buttons not on cards, I either tie them together with embroidery thread or put them in a little plastic bag to avoid having to hunt through the whole jar again to know what is available.
Here you can see the progression of branding for the same company over 60 years.
These are some of the more whimsical buttons I have. I am really excited to use the strawberry ones as I have a small amount of vintage strawberry fabric. Looks like they'd make a great pair on a summer sleeveless top! The wooden ball buttons are also pretty fun.
These monogrammed buttons are so classy! They look a little older than some of the others. There were also lots of "mother of pearl" which look a little bit like planets here when different sizes are grouped together.
Here you can see a progression in prices over a few decades for similar buttons, starting at 29 c through 70 c. Now, most sets of buttons will be a couple dollars.
Here are some of the fanciest buttons, probably all late 50s or 60s. I'm not sure if I have any fabric fancy enough to merit these beauties, but I can aspire to it one day.
Any hidden treasures in your button jar? Or any memories of family or childhood related to the button jar?
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