Button Craft: How to make a Yarrell Dorset Button - and button magnet / needle keep

[@globalhikingcr]

Thank you! I always find your videos so instructive. Dorset buttons are my favourites. I like to adorn mine with French knots when possible. I’m deeply grateful that your are willing to share your knowledge and expertise 💖

[@GinaBSilkworks]

You're welcome! I love French knots on Dorset buttons too!

[@helenbrown2001]

I love listening to your stories and about things in America.

[@GinaBSilkworks]

I'm actually in the UK! Been here a very very long time 😀

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

What a lovely idea for gifts. I know a few people who would love to receive one.

[@cathryncampbell8555]

Thank you for a delightful, informative and engaging video. I made Dorset buttons back in the 1980s, when they were popular again, so it's lovely to see this cottage industry craft reemerge.

[@GinaBSilkworks]

Thank you

[@Mary-y8h7j]

love that ,I will start making some.

[@judymarkel8029]

Very cool. I need to try these

[@maureenbrown6610]

Great video and a tribute to your perseverance ❤️❤️

[@GinaBSilkworks]

Thank you

[@desireeross9651]

This is so helpful as I’ve been asked to make a needle keep . Thank you

[@sleepygemmar]

I like to pair things like this with a second magnet so that I can use it as a needle keeper when sewing or as a magnetic badge/brooch. The extra strong (neodymium) magnets are great for keeping it securely attached too fabric and unlike a traditional brooch or pin there's no risk of damaging even delicate materials as there's no hole.😊

[@GinaBSilkworks]

That's a great idea!

[@valeriepagnier8607]

Great idea, what a treasure you are. Thank you for all your sharing.

[@GinaBSilkworks]

Thank you!

[@haimonhaimatoloichos2537]

Another great tutorial!

[@GinaBSilkworks]

Thank you!

[@lulu43751]

Oh I just love these buttons! I see jewellery, earrings in particular. I work with wire but also enjoy micro macrame. I am really going to give both mediums a bash. Also the process is much like Ojos de Dios? Thank you for sharing your skills much appreciated ❤

[@GinaBSilkworks]

Thank you! Yes, they are perfect for jewellery. Yes, the process is similar actually, well spotted! :)

[@daley24ds]

Brilliant video 😊 please can you tell me where I can get some rings please

[@GinaBSilkworks]

Thank you! We do sell a variety of different rings on our website (www.ginabsilkworks.co.uk/ginabshop/index.php/shop-by-craft/buttons/category/rings) but you can use any continuous ring - so curtain rings, closed jump rings, that sort of thing :)

[@OnedayDesigns]

Thank you for the video. You explained everything perfectly. Is there an alternative thread that could be used?

[@GinaBSilkworks]

That's the lovely thing about Dorset buttons, almost any thread can be used, even really fuzzy wool. You will need to adjust patterns, but each thread will add its own unique look.

[@OnedayDesigns]

@@GinaBSilkworks I’m particularly liking the fine size 12 Perle thread that you used and was looking for a similar alternative.

[@GinaBSilkworks]

Ah, a fine crochet thread will give the same effect, I'm not so good with crochet sizes, I think a No 30 will be close. Also, a buttonhole twist thread gives a similar appearance too. You can use stranded embroidery cotton - one or two strands at a time to give a very fine effect, but you will need to separate long lengths or have lots of joins.

[@OnedayDesigns]

@@GinaBSilkworks thanks Gina, that's very helpful.

[@barbaraevans6082]

To work the reverse stitches - I just turn my button over to the other side and continue wrapping as before. It gives the same effect.

[@kalim140]

Intresting, wwwwwoooowwww

[@sandrinebramley]

So... I've been doing a little research into the Dorset buttons and what types there are and what they're called (the traditional or original names vs method of making), and I can't find any straight answers... So I have always thought Yarrells only had two rounds of "reverse" stitch. Looking at your tutorial, this is not necessarily the case is it? I have found the same with Blandford Vs Cartwheels (i.e. which is fully filled Vs more spokes but two rounds). What is your take on this, if you don't mind me asking? Love the idea of the needle minders by the way - it's been on my to do list a while, I just needed to figure out how to attach the magnet lol so thank you for that! 💚

[@GinaBSilkworks]

There are no straight answers it seems, I've been looking for years! I know of a couple of images floating around of samples from circa 1900 when Lady Lees tried to revive the industry. There are names hand written under these. I've tracked down the odd early article, and many of the buttons that we think of as a design name, seem to actually be a size, not a design at all, which really confuses the issue. That's the thing. As a cottage industry things weren't written down, at least not with a button next to it. And with the modern revival (from the WI after the war), many designs seem to have evolved. Dorset technique buttons are also some of the easiest to adapt to a different sized ring by adding more/different stitches.

[@sandrinebramley]

@@GinaBSilkworks thank you! Ok so at least I feel better knowing that I am not making a huge mistake if I'm calling a design something, but it's actually not quite it's name... Lol I love heritage crafts and cottage industry skills, but it's not always easy to find the information - or at least consistent information lol all fascinating to me though 💚

[@GinaBSilkworks]

If you are interested from a costume point of view, I would ignore all names and look only to the thread buttons still on garments in collections. And to check. Many museums list any thread button as a Dorset, incorrectly. There is an incredible amount of folklore, and so many of the loose buttons we see are from the revival period, so can't be positively dated.

[@GinaBSilkworks]

Oh, and that card image I spoke about has a Yarrell like the original I show in the video, the only one I've seen named on something dated. Just to confuse us all even more!

[@sandrinebramley]

@@GinaBSilkworks well would it be as much fun if it was all straight forward ??? Anything historical like that is never straightforward lol I have found this out when I researched my family's history lol 😅

[@lisabeecats]

I would like to get that book ,I live in USA

[@GinaBSilkworks]

Hi! We do ship to the US, you can order on my website at www.ginabsilkworks.co.uk