The task was finding acceptable buttons. It is so difficult to match reds and get the right size. I like the black ones but I found myself limited in what I could pair the sweater with and I wanted to wear it with more outfits. You know me, I like to match everything ~ very old fashioned. So I needed to loose the black to open up creams and whites.
$12 for 7
I hunted all over for the right buttons ~ something vintage, not the chintzy modern plastic buttons one finds at supply stores. Eventually, I found what I needed in Petaluma. It's hours away from me, this small farming town, but it has a crazy drag of antique stores one of which is a consortium that hosts an antique button specialist. Called Summer Cottage Antiques it hasn't the best clothing selection, and it's a bit spendy, but when it specializes, it really specializes. And the buttons! Oh the buttons. Occasionally I pilgrimage there just for buttons. If you don't have a source like this, I suggest visiting the dealers room of a local costumer, maker, or steampunk convention. Sometimes, if you are lucky, a button person turns up. And sometimes you don't have to buy a pass just to shop. There are online resource as well. I tend not to use these, as I like to handle the buttons in person before I purchase. I know, frisky of me.
I hate hate hate widening button holes, but I don't mind narrowing them, so I always shop for buttons that are as much the same size as the original as possible, and if not, then slightly smaller. These turned out to be slightly smaller, so I did have to go over and close down all the holes, but I love the finished effect.
Of course, now I'm confined to gold jewelry with this sweater, but I find that less restrictive than the black.
So there you have it, not much of a project for this month, but I also repaired this hat, which needed TLC:
Because I want to wear it for my Sword & Laser video interview next week. Squee! More on that outfit later. Now that I have done all the research on what to wear on film I feel much better equip to chose this time around, I shan't keep you in suspense long, I promise.
I hope you all have a lovely and fashionable weekend!
I don't have a photo of me wearing the new version, but here's the old one...
Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.
The gold buttons make it look dressier as well. Where with the black it looked very casual.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what just switching a few buttons can do. I've done that with some of my pantsuits that have buttons. Though since they're modern suits I go with modern dressy buttons with rhinestones and all that jazz.