THE BUTTON OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 134, 29 February 1908, Page 10

THE BUTTON OF THE DAY.

The importances of the button is rather apt to bo overlooked, for it is not only a useful but a highly ornamental article, and is often used .in that capacity only. The present fashions afford great opportunities ill the way of buttons, which often form tho keynoto of a wholo toilette, in fact, so.metimos costumes aro planned and made to' set off some particularly'' handsomo buttons. Tho more unique and uncommon they aro tho better, and when not possessed of real valuable specimens, tho best thing is 'to make something original for oneself. Many of the heavy coats and tweed costumes aro trimmed with plaited leather buttons, which aro made with, tho' common brown leather hootlaces sold everywhere at a penny a pair. Buttons for the foundation of tlieso are also to bo had cheaply, but must liavo goad long shanks.' Tho. method of. working is what is known as tho'-"Turk's head knot.". Another effective'butt-on is what is called "enamcllax work," which is applying sealing-wax of the colour'wished,, or a blending of two colours, 1 by tho assistance of a small methylated spirits lamp. In this case, too, tho button should liavo as long a shank as possible, and somo practico is needed to got tho buttons smooth and glossy, and not to burn tho fingers,.' But special instructions can bo had in this,asjjii every other art: Of course, jewelled and enamelled' buttons take, the first place,, and aro expensive things, but many women have of late years gotio in for 011amel .work, mid mako very beautifulornaments of all kinds.' Then there arp also liand-paintod china buttons, which."iu any unique kind aro distinctly costly;,.but tho field is by no'moans limited to those. Ppter work can' be turned to great advantage in tho matter of buttons, for which tho. ordir nary wooden button moulds can bo used by passing a loop of tape through the hole in tho centre, securing it with strong.fish glue, or a composition made of powdomL.v/liiting and ;sizo,. which also helps ; to fill ,up • the hole,, tho top then smoothed over with sandpaper,' and a design put on, with a fine-.' pointed poker noedlo. . These, buttons may be further ombellished by filling in tho dosign ill colours, either water colour, . oils, or Aspinall's enamel. Button moulds may also bo covered with kid or material, and t(i<Mi, painted or embroidered, and worked, in fine beads .in a small design, with' gold,, steel, pr black introduced, aro most,'.charming., When time cannot bo giyen for all this, work', a good effect may be gained by covoring tlie moulds with' a picce of good brocade or velvet in graduated sizes, and placing them in. groups of-.four from large . to'tsmall. .Largo velvet buttons are much used on. day and evening garments.