Embellishments - Buttons - Day 14 - 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge

Today I am resharing one of older blogs: 

After hearing that it was bad for old buttons to store them in jars, (from Jill Gorski, in Episode 1204: Songs, Stories, and Buttons, on TheQuiltShow.com) I moved most of my button collection (accumulation!) to an antique type setting tray I have.



A sampling of my accumulation of buttons - intended for use as embellishments - I need to get busy embellishing!

 I've started using my buttons more often as embellishments in my projects. It is hard to resist a good old button.

Pearl buttons and buckles from a Muscatine, IA button factory.

One of my aunts gave me several small pearl buttons to use - at the time I planned to make dolls and use the buttons for doll clothing, but now most of the buttons are finding their way onto my wall quilt and textile projects. The pearl buttons come from Muscatine, Iowa, and were from the button factories which had closed down. They once made pearl buttons from clam shells sourced from the Mississippi river there. I have always loved the pearl buttons.

Here is a photo of buttons I bought recently (this week!):
 


New Buttons!

I couldn't resist the small parrott buttons - looking at the large assortment of buttons at my  fabric store, I know I could get into some serious trouble "collecting" buttons! I will have to limit my button excursions there.

I have usually only purchased used or old buttons (some are old and still unused on button cards) from thrift, antique stores and garage sales, though I can see there are many beautiful new buttons available now.

You can also buy great button assortments for embellishing your projects - one of my favorite catalogs is Home Sew, Inc., and Newark Dressmaker Supply. They have a great assortment of other sewing notions and supplies, as well. Their website is: www.homesew.com.

               

If you are looking for inspiration for a project, you could design a quilt to display your favorite buttons - or use your buttons to add special embellishments to your projects.

I have an assortment of Cracker Jack toys I've collected, that I've thought would be nice displayed on a quilt, but that is a topic for another day...

                                                      1970s animal buttons from a good friend - I used them on a sweater, now they are waiting to be repurposed - too cute to throw away!

                            

A few more buttons from my collection - and some Celluloid buttons.

Happy Friday!

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

#31dayblogwritingchallenge

My Yo-Yos Cubed Pincushion and Ornaments Pattern is now posted on Etsy.com!

Hi everyone!

Just a quick note to let you know, my Yo-Yos Cubed Pincushion & Ornaments Digital Pattern is now posted for sale on the Etsy site.

It can be viewed here:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/237592843/yo-yos-cubed-pincushion-and-3-yo-yos

Hope you will check it out, and give it a try. I would love to see what you create!

The projects make great gifts and ornaments for the holidays, or for everyday use.

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Published My First Pattern on Patternspot.com (yeah!)

I'm writing to share some news - it is a first for me, I've self-published my first pattern design on Patternspot.com. (Yeah!)

I first learned about Patternspot.com from TheQuiltShow.com. I believe it was in one of their newsletters/blogs. I kept the information in mind, and finally was able to use it to publish my first designs. After the work of writing the instructions, it was very easy to post my pattern on their site. If you are interested in publishing your designs, it is a fun place to check out. There are also many nice designs on the site for purchasing, and some free ones to try out.

My pattern is for a Yo-Yos Cubed design I created several years ago, and have wanted to share for a while. It includes instructions for a pincushion design, and 3 ornament variations.

I've attached photos of two of the designs. Yo-Yos Cubed Pincushion and one of the Yo-Yos Cubed Ornaments made from stacked Dupioni silk yo-yos.

I had wanted to publish a book for awhile, but decided to self-publish the designs as patterns, instead. I like the immediacy of getting the patterns out, rather than spending tons of time submitting proposals to publishers. (Life is too short!) It still took several weeks to self-edit my instructions. I plan to have additional related designs in the future. First, however, I am looking forward to taking a bit of a break, and working on the in progress quilt project in my studio!

Has anyone else self-published their patterns before? What experiences have you had? I would love to hear from you, if you would like, please leave comments below.

The link to the design on Patternspot.com is http://patternspot.com/patterns/sewing-patterns/4705-yo-yos-cubed-pincushion-amp-3-ornaments, if you would like to take a look.

Take care and have fun creating!

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk