The Button Brooch
A Lady Montana Design
 |
Materials lace scraps - no wider than 3.5" assorted small buttons 18" length of 1/2"-5/8" wide ribbon pin back Modge Podge™ Rit Dye™ & plastic gloves Q-Tips or a small brush heavy duty wire cutting pliers fabric glue glue gun |
Design Tips
The fun challenge of this project is that you're left to your own creative leanings. Your finished brooch will vary greatly from the examples shown. Keep the following tips in mind when contemplating your design:
- The left and right cut edges of your lace will be turned under 1/4".
- Odd numbers are more pleasing to the eye than even numbers.
- Buttons can lie against one another or sit on top of each other.
- Smaller, flat buttons can be used to support a larger button so the larger button sits firmly on the brooch.
- The shank can be snapped off modern buttons with heavy pliers to suit your design. If working with antique buttons, keep shanks intact.
- Cotton lace yardage takes dye well.
- Purchase lace that's finished on the top and bottom edges.
- You likely won't want your brooch any wider than 3".
- The key to keeping the brooch elegant is in using the same tonal colors. White on white and crème on cream are good choices but lace dropped into a weak dye bath will produce lovely muted colors.
- Begin by playing with different arrangements of buttons and scraps.
-
Stay relaxed and enjoy yourself as you fiddle with the possibilities. A pleasing arrangement will sooner or later appear to you.
- Be open to the possibility that your design idea may only be a starting point. Your finished piece may look very different than your original concept.
- Think in terms of layers
- Button brooches are enhanced with the delicacy of real silk ribbon. Ribbon 5/8" wide provides a good variety of design options.
The Process
Preparing the Lace
1. Decide upon the finished width of your brooch and cut the lace 1/4" wider on each side so the raw edges can be turned under.
2. If dying lace, make a weak dye bath by placing 1/4 teaspoon dye in a bowl containing one cup hot water. Wet lace before immersing it. To control the color, lift it out immediately. For a deeper hue, put it back into the dye bath. If still too light, add another 1/8 teaspoon of dye and return the lace to the dye bath yet again.
Notes: The examples shown were both dipped into a weak black dye bath, producing varying shades of blue gray.
3. Once your desired color is achieved, rinse the lace and lay flat to dry.
4. Lightly press each raw edge under 1/4". Using a Q-Tip or a small brush, brush Modge Podge on the underside of each pressed edge. Press together with your fingers and allow to dry thoroughly.
1. Hand pleating ribbon takes only moments for a small project. Pin the pleats as you create them and then lightly press. Hand stitch the pleats in place on one side. You can then stitch the pleated ribbon to the top of your brooch as shown or curve it slightly on the brooch face to create a fan effect.
2. Dampen a 15"-18" inch length of 5/8" ribbon and scrunch it, with twists and folds, into a small ball. Secure with a rubber band. When dry, remove the rubber band and lay the ribbon ball on your lace. Begin to gently unfold and un-scrunch it until a pleasing pattern forms - one that allows for a button grouping tucked into it.
Note: The ribbon won't be lying flat yet, but once you've an idea of its placement, press using a silk setting. Once flattened, make any necessary adjustments to your design.
3. Tie a knot in a short length of ribbon and press the knot to flatten it. Cut the ends as short as you desire to give you a background for a button, allowing the ends to be seen beyond the button's edges.
4. Once you've a pleasing arrangemen, secure all your design elements by taking as few stitches as possible. Carefully glue your buttons in place with fabric glue.
5. Allow to dry thoroughly before hot gluing a pin back to your brooch.
Please note: You may copy, print and create this design for personal use only. It may not be made for resale.
