I am at the stage of auditioning buttons from my stash for my jacket. I need exactly 1 (one) button. Vogue says it should be 3/4" (19mm). Personally, I think that's way too small for a single button on a jacket. Or at least, for a jacket being made in 2010, since we are now used to seeing gigantic buttons on all kinds of things.
So I have a stash of buttons. Some would say it's extensive. Here's a partial picture:
This is one of those small parts drawer units you can buy at Canadian Tire. I sort the buttons by colour, more or less. Then I browse the drawers when I need buttons for something.
You'd think I would have no trouble finding a button, right? But more often than not, I don't find what I need in my stash.
Buttons, buttons, everywhere ... and not a one to suit.
I identified several possibilities for my jacket, but none of them is quite right. Here is the lot. From upper left, moving clockwise, they are: square coconut shell (too reddish), brassy metal (23 mm), plastic/metal combo (29 mm), bamboo (too yellow), black glass (25 mm), bright gold (too bling), plastic combo (34 mm).
Here are the best 4 on a scrap of fabric. Tell me which one you like best.
Left: I love this brown plastic one on the fabric but is it too big at 34 mm (1.34")?
Right: I fear the plastic/metal combo is a bit too light in colour. Do you agree?
Left: This metal button is interesting but may be too small (even though it's bigger than Vogue thinks it should be) and close in colour to the fabric - it could get lost.
Right: While there's a lot of contrast with the black glass button, it could work.
Help!
This is exactly why I don't stash buttons. Leftovers don't count; there are never enough of them.
ReplyDeleteI like the one that is too big. Of course.
I like the big one top left and the metal one. I have seen some bloggers audition buttons on the nearly finished garment using double sided tape. Try that - it may give you a better idea how the button will look on the finished garment.
ReplyDeleteI like the black glass one. It doesn't compete with the weave of the fabric and it has a nice size. Which one do YOU like best?
ReplyDeleteI don't think 34mm is too big for only one button. But I like the black one best (I think). What colour accessories do you plan to wear with the suit? Black or brown?
ReplyDeleteOh, and I forgot to ask - where did you get all those buttons from???
ReplyDeleteI like the 3.4-cm one. The black one comes second.
ReplyDeleteI like the one that is too big, and the black one second. I have a similar button collection, stored in a similar cabinet, and have the same problem.
ReplyDeleteI too like the upper left button; the one you say is too large. But the metal button is a nice alternative but will be lost in the fabric background
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I am impressed with your button stash! Of the choices presented, I like the plastic metal combo or the black glass button.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of jacket for one tiny button! It would tempt me to try a 3" leather rose facing a big snap set covered in the fashion fabric. Or at least think about it :)
ReplyDeleteI like the 'too big' button, too! I think Vogue is just going w/the conventional and expected...I don't think using the larger button would be a problem. If that's the one that talks to you, go for it! ;)
ReplyDeleteMy second choice would be the black button; I think the metal one is cool but agree that it gets lost on the print.
The "too big" 34mm one, of course. And why too big?! It'll be like a built-in brooch. It's the only one that looks perfect on that fabric.
ReplyDeleteI vote for brown plastic - that one does not look too big.
ReplyDeleteThe placement of the single button is something to consider. The Vogue jacket has the button placed pretty low and a large statement button could end up looking like a big belly button focal point. Will that take away from the cool simple lines in the neck and shoulder area of this jacket? Those lines are what drew me to this pattern when it came out.
ReplyDeleteI love your button storage! I have an old spice rack that I use for my button stash, also sorted by color. My favorite is the brown plastic one, with the black one as #2. I typically like metal buttons but that particular one gets lost in the fabric.
ReplyDeleteI think the metal button would look good with a backing. All you need is a plastic knitting ring a little larger than the button, which you can cover with a price of fabric that coordinates with the fashion fabric. Cut the button fabric large enough to wrap around the ring, whip stitch it around the edges and pull it around the ring. Then tack the metal button in the center. This is an old Chanel technique. Sometimes I add some Fray Check to the edge so the fabric circle if its really ravelly.
ReplyDelete