Dorset Button making
My crafty friend, @purple_claire, showed me how to make these, after she went to a workshop at Stag & Bow in Forest Hill.
Dorset buttons date back to the 18th century, in Dorset, England. They were originally made on a disc cut from the horn of a Dorset Horn sheep, which was covered with needle-worked thread.
The most simple form of these buttons is called a crosswheel, but there are lots of different styles, some of them involving intricate weaving. They’re very addictive.
Basic materials you need are: metal or plastic rings, which are about 1 - 1 1/2 inches in diameter, embroidery floss, wool yarn or cotton crochet thread, scissors and a large-eyed, blunt needle.
The outside of the ring, is covered with blanket stitches, the edges are tuned to the inside of the ring. then the yarn/thread is round around the outside of the ring, to form spokes.
I did eight spokes, but you can do more. Then, weave over & under, until the ring is fully covered, or until you like the finish, then you’re done.
Different yarns or threads, can give various effects, and I used a metalic thread by Oliver Twists, called Sparkles.
It was hard to find (curtain) rings in the sizes I needed, but they can be found. An interiors shop usually have smaller sizes, and you may need to order in larger sizes.
I’d like to used larger rings, i’m even thinking of using the inside ring of an embroidery hoop! These are great for all types of crafts, embellishments, and not just as buttons.
Glammamamma ;)
