The Button Jar
As a children, we were taught to live frugally . We saved bits and pieces, in the absolute knowledge that one day it would be used. This, is in great contrast to the dictum today, that we ought to 'down-size', 'pare-down' and 'de-clutter'. Clutter was just a natural state, because throwing away perfectly good things was considered wasteful.
My mom had a button jar and we cut the buttons from clothes that was too worn to wear for rags. I can't recall buying buttons very often, and most certainly not unless it was a sale. As it was, we always had the button jar to raid whenever we lost a button or when we needed some chips to play cards with. (I know, some of you are no doubt shocked, knowing that a 5 year knew how to anty up. )
Clothing was usually bought 1-2 sizes larger, preferably in the sales, worn until outgrown, then handed down, at least 2 or 3 times. I was mercilessly teased by my classmates for being in a perpetual timewarp. Even very nice bell bottoms should not be given to a 12 year old to wear when the style was straight legs.
In recent years, I've started my own button jar, saving all the pretty buttons that I buy and from shirts that I have worn out.
Brittany
One of these days, I've got to take a class in beginner crochet. Not being able to crochet properly means that I get 'stuck' on patterns that require a crochet trim. The Brittany dress has languished in the WIP pile for years. It's been knitted but I could not come to gripes with getting the crochet edging done. In the past, I have cheated by knitting on a picot edging... but this time I wanted to do it right.
I finally bit the bullet, ripped out the edging and tried again.
This time, I've given up on the scallopy picot edge and went with a simple chain. It worked out much better.
Once the crocheting was done, I went and raided my button jar...
and voila, an FO.
The good thing about having so many UFO's is, just as you're getting bored with one thing, you can easily grab something else from the pile for a change of pace. This little dress is going into the gifting pile because the little girl that I initially started it for, is now in nursery school.
Posted by atu at March 15, 2008 03:57 PM | TrackBackAny chance someone can provide information where I can find the Brittany dress pattern? It's adorable! I have a LOT of buttons -- now I'll just find a big jar -- great idea! Sherry
Posted by: Sherry at March 22, 2008 11:02 PMI've recently begun my button collection. For some reason, it feels good to have them. That dress is so cute.
Posted by: Sarah at March 17, 2008 11:22 PMFond memories of my own Britanny for Baby Rose. In red of course. I can't remember how I did the edging, as this was before I had learned cro-kay. I think I must have done exactly as you did. It takes a sweet photo! xox kay
Posted by: Kay at March 17, 2008 07:37 PMWe had very similar upbringings! And my button jar has some leftovers from my grandmother's!
Posted by: Carol at March 17, 2008 05:42 PMI have my Grandmothers, my Mothers and now my own button jar. Can't seem to throw them away somehow - yet I never seem to find suitable buttons in them! They look pretty and thifty though.
Posted by: Carol at March 17, 2008 04:15 PMA girl's best friend is her button box, I agree.
Posted by: Mandella at March 17, 2008 02:31 PMI love the dress Polly. I have a button box and I too used to play with my mum's button tin. It just makes sense to have spare buttons. But I like the jar idea.
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah at March 17, 2008 02:27 PMThe dress is gorgeous & the crochet finish looks great. I have the same problem with a crochet finish as I can't crochet too. I also have a button jar & my daughters are always raiding it for their projects.
Posted by: Ann at March 17, 2008 07:10 AMAh yes.... I am currently raising three boys, and the youngest (7) rarely has his own new clothes. We save everything to pass down, and once in a while we get hand me downs from families with only one boy, and my kids think it is Christmas.
I recently was given my grandmother's sewing stash...they removed buttons, zippers, trims, hooks, anything that could be reused, and I have a lot of those hand me downs now as well. I love having such a treasure trove.
Posted by: Willow Caroline at March 16, 2008 07:14 PMI was brought up the same way and at first found it very difficult to buy the more expensive yarns - wasn't knitting supposed to save money?
ha!
I'm over that now. ;)
Posted by: ann at March 16, 2008 03:02 PMPretty dress! I have a tin I keep all the buttons too.. I like the glass jar better!
Posted by: Michelle at March 16, 2008 04:18 AMI agree, learning some crochet would probably be useful for my knitting project. That and the fact that I want to crochet an afghan, not knit it.
Posted by: Wanda at March 16, 2008 03:27 AMAdorable little dress, and the chain looks quite nice. I too would like to take a class in crochet!
Posted by: larissa at March 15, 2008 11:50 PMPick a date and we'll have a crochet lesson!
I'm feeling very confident after my class this afternoon.
Posted by: Yvonne at March 15, 2008 10:23 PMEven if you're not inclined to make afgans or throws (knit OR crochet) you might want to take up a crochet hook just for the pleasure of creating elegant "pineapple" lace. The classic pineapple motif has been integrated into just about any imaginable handmade fabric. The beauty of crochet is that while you are galloping along and realize you've made a mistake several yards back in the chain, you can "unzip" the chain in seconds and retrace your steps in almost as many seconds. The closest pattern (pineapple) in knitting that I've been able to find is the "paisley". Trying to knit paisley can be a real challenge to one's patience: ribbit, ribbit, rows of ribbit!
Posted by: Bobbi at March 15, 2008 06:05 PM