Keep or toss: buttons

**Edna_E** · 06-13-2007, 09:40 PM

I remember when almost every mother or grandmother I knew had a button box. I don't, but should (as opposed to my randomly-scattered collection). How 'bout you?

**kittykatstrong** · 06-13-2007, 09:49 PM

I don't have one but my mom did and I loved looking through them.

Katy

**Neeley** · 06-13-2007, 09:56 PM

I throw them all away.

**monkeywrangler71** · 06-13-2007, 09:56 PM

I have a box of buttons. If a piece of clothing is too worn to ever wear again, I will cut off the buttons, plus I save the extra ones that come with new shirts.

I used to love looking through my mother's button jar.

**sunshine** · 06-13-2007, 10:22 PM

I save all buttons -- I will take free clothing items at garage sales, just for the buttons, zippers, trims . . .

**freerangers** · 06-13-2007, 10:28 PM

Ah what a wonderful memory of button boxes...

Funny this thread should come up, as I just started saving buttons here. I hope to run across some in yard sales or such

~~

**peanut** · 06-13-2007, 11:26 PM

Okay ladies, this is complicated, but here's what I do. I have a small photo album, about 3x5". In it, whenever I buy new clothing with extra buttons, I put the buttons in their own pocket, with a post-it note as to which garment it belongs to. That way, if I lose a button, I just go to my photo album and find the replacement.

Now, for other buttons - yes, I keep them all. I store them in a plastic drawer unit that was intended for a workshop. Each colour gets a different drawer. I have used them for a number of sewing projects, including 'tieing' a quilt with them by sewing a button every 6".

If I have a lot of one type, I'll string them on some buttonhole thread (or other thick thread) and knot it, to keep them all in one place. That way I can easily tell if I have enough of that type of button. Saves me hours of sorting through buttons.

That's what I do with them! I rarely have to buy buttons for clothes now.

**acidcookie** · 06-13-2007, 11:38 PM

I save all the extra buttons I get with new clothes and the buttons I remove from clothes. No reason not to, I think.

**justpeachy92** · 06-13-2007, 11:45 PM

I try to save them, but end up losing them. I think I will have to try and peanuts button organization in place.

**danni** · 06-14-2007, 12:07 AM

I save all of them in a tin, but I like peanut's idea for organization.

**kaykwilts** · 06-14-2007, 12:10 AM

I save my buttons. It has saved me from buying new buttons when I was sewing a new garment. Also, I plan to do something crafty with my buttons someday.

Here is a site with some button craft ideas.

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_home_acc...761563,00.html

**baxjul** · 06-14-2007, 07:01 AM

I save all buttons, trim, lace I guess I have an obsession with it.

**TheRootedNomad** · 06-14-2007, 07:17 AM

They are definately keepers!!! I have a button box.

**Homekeepn** · 06-14-2007, 08:21 AM

I keep them in a mason jar as decor on a shelf in my sewing room.

**nuisance26** · 06-14-2007, 08:34 AM

~Save. I've spent less than $20 on buttons during the last 15 years I've sewed. Most of that was replacing buttons(14) on a pea coat. Right now I have a large spice bottle full. My kids love looking through them too. ;-) ~