What kind of buttons are made in Dorset?
Dorset buttons are thread covered buttons created with embroidery stitches. These buttons are traditionally associated with the county of Dorset, England, in the UK. I participate in an annual button challenge and decided that, this year, I would give handmade buttons. But what kind?
How much thread do you need to make a Dorset button?
Thread your needle. You will need a lot of thread to create your Dorset button. Measure out about four arm’s lengths worth of thread or yarn, which is roughly 100 inches (254 cm). Insert your thread or yarn through the eye of your tapestry needle. Use the blanket stitch to cover the ring.
Who is the author of Dorset buttons to make?
To learn more about the history of Dorset buttons and make your own, read Pat Olski’s “Dorset Buttons to Make,” in the March/April 2018 issue of PieceWork, our 25th-Anniversary issue. Pat Olski is a knit, crochet, and needlework designer who loves to teach, stitch, and write.
How many spokes do you need for a Dorset button?
Adding extra spokes is another great way to customize your Dorset buttons. You can make a Dorset button with 10, 12, or even 20 spokes by wrapping your thread around the center more than four times. Remember that you need to wrap the thread around the ring half the number of times as the spokes you want to create.
Where are the buttons on a Dorset button?
The button at the lower right-hand corner formed a square inside the circle by backstitching alternate spokes. Stitch the buttons directly onto a garment, or add a small ring or thread shank to the button’s back. With so much potential for customizing the look, Dorset buttons will make even an ordinary garment special.
How big should a ring be to make a Dorset button?
Choose a ring that is 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter to make your first Dorset button. Make sure that your rings are solid and do not have a slit in them, or your thread may slip through the slit. Tapestry needle.
What kind of thread do you use for Dorset buttons?
Stitch the buttons directly onto a garment, or add a small ring or thread shank to the button’s back. With so much potential for customizing the look, Dorset buttons will make even an ordinary garment special. I used metallic threads to make buttons for my bling-friendly pals.
To learn more about the history of Dorset buttons and make your own, read Pat Olski’s “Dorset Buttons to Make,” in the March/April 2018 issue of PieceWork, our 25th-Anniversary issue. Pat Olski is a knit, crochet, and needlework designer who loves to teach, stitch, and write.
