Detail-oriented.


Vogue 9782

I love the little details on this dress, especially the completely gratuitous button closure on the bodice. That would be a perfect solution to the (literally, hand-to-God) BOXES of fabulous single buttons that I have. I believe my sewing room is like the elephant burial ground, but for single buttons. If one falls off a garment anywhere in the western hemisphere, it rolls its way somehow to me. I find buttons the way some people find pennies, and I need to find projects to showcase them that don't involve bracelets, handbags, or (shudder) art vests. Of course, in the hierarchy of needs, this comes way, way under "just get a damn dress sewn, already" so I'm afraid I would buy this pattern and then it would always get pushed aside for something quicker to sew. And it's $28. That's a bit steep, even for something as nice as this. It's B34 at So Vintage Patterns; click on the image to check it out.

0 thoughts on “Detail-oriented.

  1. Twenty eight dollars, wow.My favorite bit is those shaped, buttoned pockets, they’re at such a flattering angle.And the 3/4 white gloves…Kelly

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  2. I love the pockets and neckline/button detail…, but the skirt is just a little too restricted. I can not imagine someone walking in this dress : ) For $28. I want something swishy!

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  3. I have two that are similar to this design. Butterick 6734 and Simplicity 4465 if you’d be interested in tracing either of ’em…–Lydia

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  4. I have used my single buttons on a shirtwaist dress and on a blouse…the purposely mismatched button collections get much admiration. I recently discovered your website and just adore it…made it my homepage.

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  5. When we were little my mom made a series of dresses for me and my sister out of leftover fabric pieces to small for anything else – the sleeves would be one thing, the yoke another, the collar something else, etc., but my favorite part was always the different-colored buttons down the front.I too have just found your site and LOVE it! A girl after my own heart. Thank you.

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  6. Oh, Lydia, I lurve that Simplicity pattern! I also, I confess, own several pairs of earings made from vintage buttons, and I paid a pretty penny for them. Of course, for earings you’d need at least two.

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  7. I would say, Erin, if you have buttons which balance in size, go ahead and use them together on a dress or a jacket! I’ve had a couple of each that were very pretty and effective, without looking as if they were trying too hard. I’ve also been known to stitch a particularly beautiful button to a bit of black velvet and to wear it as a choker.

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  8. My neighbor, 86 years old, has in his garage an old car which he has covered with buttons, new and old, valuable and not. Everything is completely covered except tires and glass. It has taken him years to do this, painstakingly glueing them on one by one. He drives his car in neighborhood parades and is known as “The Button Man”. Perhaps you could be “The Button Lady” years from now.

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  9. Oh, and in a burst of frolicsome hilarity, Vogue Patterns is carrying a line of patterns dubbed “Marfy.” They’re pretty marfy, all right. They come one size per package, NO illustration, NO instructions – and at least two of the wedding dress patterns are $105!

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  10. I think you should just start a new trend by sewing a single button in random places on your dresses, blouses, skirts, etc. Could be a new fashion trend…would definitely be a conversation piece.

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  11. Much love to your blog! About the buttons, Anthropologie had these cord pants that had mismatched buttons along the pant leg seam, about 1.5 inches apart. Very adorable. I have also sewn misc buttons onto the ends of winter scarfs. One last easy use: I stringed them up and use them as a sort of ribbon on all things holiday: presents, tree trimming, etc. etc.

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