More Thread Wrapped Button Experiments

Good evening. I have been working on some thread wrapped buttons following the new online Basic Button Making Course from Gina B Silkworks.

I have just completed the first modules showing us how to make the historic Death’s Head Button and the Peace Wrap button. The video instructions from Gina are really easy to follow. There is a free introductory course covering the Death’s Head Button if you would like to give Gina’s button course a try out.

I used a variety of threads and worked the wraps over MDF button moulds.

I am going to put all my buttons into a little sample journal alongside details of the threads used and number of wraps needed to fill the buttons etc. This will then give me a good reference when creating and designing future buttons, e.g. choosing threads and calculating wraps for designing new colour combinations and patterns, designing weave or embroidery patterns to embellish the basic Deaths Head.

Extra tools that I found invaluable were the new Circle Gauge Set (for marking out accurate divisions on the mould) and the Button Makers Third Hand and Tool Tin (great for holding buttons while threading the needle to finish).

 

Here are some Square Wrapped buttons. The plain green buttons were using 25mm moulds and Perle 8 cotton. The others were worked on 20mm moulds, the green and blue using Perle 8 cotton, the pink and silver using Perle 12 and metallic knitting yarn (Anchor Artiste).

 

Next I had a play with the square wrap over square shaped moulds (20 and 15mm). The online course covers wrapping on round moulds. I referred to Gina’s Buttons: A Passementerie Workshop Manual for additional info on how to work these.

I used Perle 5 cotton for the larger buttons in mid and light blues. When changing colour I added a row of weaving over and under wrapped threads to create a frame effect. The smaller buttons were worked in Perle 12 cotton. Again I experimented a bit and when changing to the blue wraps I wove them under the pink threads in each round. Nice effect.

I next worked a few more buttons from Gina’s Passementerie Workshop Manual.

These are my first try at the Leek Square worked on 20mm domed buttons using Perle 8 cotton. Love these.

 

Next I tried out the Oval Chequerboard from Gina’s Workshop Manual. I really struggle with the oval shapes but I was fairly pleased with these. The buttons on the left are Death’s Head for comparison.

 

Then I had a try at the Decorative Square from Gina’s Workshop Manual. Loving these and they are really easy to work too. The first set were using Soutache Braid and 25mm round moulds. The two sets in the middle were worked with Perle 5. Love the effect when using 2 colours. The small square buttons were worked in Rayon thread (15mm square mould).

 

Next I tried a few Over Wrapping variations from Gina’s Workshop Manual. Here I worked a Crossed Net using metallic knitting yarn over a Deaths Head worked in Rayon thread. Really shimmery.

 

These are wrapped with an Open Square pattern and Soutache Braid over fabric covered buttons.

 

I also tried the Union Jack Button in a different colourway using Perle 8 cotton (also from Gina’s Workshop Manual) and accidentally created my favourite button yet. The buttons on the right are part worked Union Jack and I love them.

 

I decided to work a larger button (original was 25mm) using a 40mm MDF Circle Mould. I also painted (metallic Starlights paint) and part wrapped a 60mm MDF stack ring (from Gina’s stacker button mould sets). Think that I will be making a pendant from this one.

 

This is how it stacks up. Woohooo.

Well I have really enjoyed making these. Off to do the next module of Gina’s online course soon – so more thread wrapped button variations to come – think that I am addicted – tee hee xxx.

Advertisement