Wednesday, April 18, 2012

...WIP...Wednesday...Sawtelle FO & Buttons...

The Sawtelle has been finished for a while...it was finished...except for the buttons before Easter...good thing I had a backup plan...

...Scout snapped a couple of blurry photos as I was feeding the fish...this is my lovely 'hey Mom, turn around' look...

...I do love this cardi...so soft and comfy...and I'll try to get some better pictures with some better light at some point...

...but I have a problem finding buttons for my projects that require them...as I often have a specific idea in mind...then of course when you go shopping for a specific thing...you can't find it...

...that's the way it was with the Sawtelle...I only needed three buttons...but I wanted something marble-y and grey with a hint of turquoise...and I wanted them to be wavy...and about an inch across...that's not too much to ask is it...

...apparently...it is...

...so, of course I made my own...

I basically used the same technique that I used for my Isabeau Purse Sculpey Buttons...which is not really much of a technique at all...

...I put on some gloves and covered the counter with a sheet of plastic wrap...then I started mixing in (by droplets) some black outdoor craft paint into the white Sculpey clay...

...it only took a couple of drops to get this nice marble-y grey...just what I was looking for...

...then I just barely mixed in a couple of drops of blue...

...I patted it into a disk and cut a circle using a shampoo bottle lid - I just wanted a rough 1 inch disk as I'd be doing some more shaping later...

...three little blue/grey disks...

...I made the little holes by simply twirling a knife point in the center and then turning it over and doing the same from the back - it makes a nice little beveled edged hole...just the right size for the yarn that will tie it onto the sweater...

...I shaped them so they'd be a little bit 'wavy' and laid them on some aluminum foil to bake for about 20 minutes at 200°...

...then I sprayed a coat of gloss poly on top - 'cause I like shiny buttons...

...and they were done!...

...so I just lined them up with the buttonholes and stitched them in place...

...just what I wanted...

...Have you ever made buttons?...

11 comments:

  1. Those buttons and the cardigan turned out great. I have never made buttons...but it seems like I should. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  2. I love the buttons. It does seem like whenever you want to buy something they aren't available.

    I do like your sweater.

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  3. pretty buttons! glad scout is giving you some of your own medicine lately!! love, k

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  4. First, the buttons are too cute! Second, the sweater fits you so well! It's like the pattern was designed for you! Amazing job. :D

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  5. Great sweater and great buttons!

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  6. Those are awesome! I'm just about to finish a "Tea Leaves" cardi and was thinking about buttons last night. I may have to try something like this.

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  7. Ah, you and the cardi are so lovely. Your buttons are cool too! Have a lovely weekend!
    xo

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  8. I'm always blown away when you make your own buttons! Awesome!

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  9. No, I've not made buttons and yours are lovely.

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  10. That is SO cool that you made your own buttons; I am impressed! The cardi is beautiful...looks so comfy and *warm*...good for today, here on the farm.

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  11. Ooo...I love your buttons!

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