On Buttons

Buttons come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and materials. They can be functional or decorative, providing one with a way to keep something fastened or providing one with a nice accent for a pillow. As a small child, buttons may serve as playthings that fascinate and keep one occupied for many a happy hour. And as an unintended risk, can lead to a lifetime fondness of old buttons.

In sewing, buttons can have a great impact on how quickly a project will be finished. Because one will be wearing the buttons attention should be paid to how well matched the buttons are to the type of project. One, for example, would not use gold buttons with anchors on a pink gingham square dancing dress (which leaves the new owner with the task of replacing them). In finding the right buttons, button holes are then to be considered and from there the attachment of the buttons to the garment. In creating button holes, especially of the bound button hole variety, size of the button should always be considered least the button prove too small to stay in place once buttoned. Attachment of the button should also be carefully carried out to avoid incorrect placement, which would be nearly as bad as the button being too small, and to avoid them being too tightly or too loosely attached.

So, while one may take buttons for granted, they are indeed most important. And even if one is not using them for sewing or some sort of craft, one may find themselves recalling fond childhood memories of playing Button, Button, Who’s Got the Button? on a rainy day or being reminded of a fairy tale character’s confusion over the shiny yellow buttons buried in the garden. ♥