Button Collections

Finding old button collections is a fun way I explore the past and get a glimpse into a collectors personality. Almost every person I know who sews has a box or bag of buttons. The collections are passed down through generations or donated when the owners pass on. Some collections are highly personal with the buttons being the keepers of memories for someone. Others are mainly functional, in the past clothing would never be discarded with the valuable buttons still attached!

It is easy to find button collections. Thrift shops, eBay, yard sales, and your own relatives will all have buttons. If possible hearing the stories behind the buttons is a wonderful way to connect with people. It will surprise you how inexpensive a valuable an interesting collection can be. Here's a selection from my various collections, if you'd like to see more visit my Picasa gallery.

I keep my collections together as I found them. Mixing all the buttons would ruin the value I find in the collection. To me the collection is the personality of the collector, their energy is still here for me to explore.




What does this collection say about it's owner?

The colors are fantastic on this all plastic collection.

I want to eat this shiny green one!
An trouser button collection!
Trouser buttons are usually made from metal and show great wear on the paint.



Shell buttons are my first choice for a shirt.

Ceramic are interesting and keep their color.

The nylon and plastic are the most common,
the vintage ones seem to yellow over time.

An elegant black button for a jacket?