In Which I Become the Real-life Button Collector
I've meant to sit myself down and gather my special vintage buttons that aren't in the shadow-boxes to make a real Button Collector cardigan.
I realized yesterday that this old ice-blue French Connection sweater would work perfectly, so I hauled out the jars and thread and set to work late last night on the couch while we enjoyed The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (which is highly recommended by both myself and Josiah!)
Here is the finished product (donned today, and the photo is taken pre-makeup...so don't judge the pale lips). It's a little bit splashy, but pretty special and sweet I think.
It's like a circus on my sweater! Scattered about are bakelite, painted, carved, glass...all sorts of tiny treasures.
And its tough to compete with this pretty one:
But for us real-world girls, I think it's a pretty charming approximation.
I LOVE my button collection (and the Button Collector print I bought from you.) I have a secret little old lady (nearly 90) stashed away here in Kent where I get prized specimens. When I'm feeling a bit dull I visit my little old lady friend's tiny little shop and we pour through boxes of old buttons and chat over a cup of tea, bliss.
I must take your print on my next visit, it will make her smile.
Posted by: joanie | June 11, 2008 at 07:02 PM
that is thomas pynchon
Posted by: ad | June 07, 2008 at 01:01 PM
that is thomas pynchon
Posted by: ad | June 07, 2008 at 01:01 PM
So chic!
Posted by: Abigail | June 06, 2008 at 03:27 PM
Adorable and so charming!
Posted by: angela | June 06, 2008 at 01:04 AM
I just love it, I've done a similar thing on a shirt but with just a few buttons, I have a hard time using them, I just want to hoard them.
Posted by: AMy | June 05, 2008 at 09:27 PM
Cute~o~rama! I love hand sewing and what do I love to hand sew you ask....buttons.
Great sweater.
Smiles ~ Ramona
Posted by: Ramona Owen | June 05, 2008 at 06:46 PM
my mom had a box of old buttons that I used to play with for hours just looking at all the different ones...I have those buttons and now use them in my crafting...Love buttons...and just finding that right one to fit your crafting needs...I love your stuff, you are most talented and your blog makes me smile...:)
Posted by: Gina Cooper | June 05, 2008 at 01:59 PM
*gasp!* LOVE that sweater!!!
Posted by: kaite | June 05, 2008 at 11:20 AM
It looks kinda like you spilled a whole bunch of old-timey hard candies on your sweater, and they all stuck to it.
But I mean that in the BEST way possible!
Posted by: brigette b. | June 05, 2008 at 03:19 AM
that is the coolest thing I've ever seen! so lovely!
Posted by: Liina | June 04, 2008 at 07:18 PM
I believe that I will be copying you and doing the same tonight!!
Posted by: Cherry Tree Lane | June 04, 2008 at 06:55 PM
Oh I love that cardi! The gathers at the collar simply slay me! If you ever need to get rid of that sweater, it'll fit in my wardobe! ;)
I admire your work so much. I have quite a few of your pins, prints, and postcards hung in my office at work, and everyone thinks that it is me in the pictures! Thanks for creating such great brunettes in your prints:)
Posted by: Ashley | June 04, 2008 at 06:21 PM
you look skinny!
Posted by: jen | June 04, 2008 at 06:18 PM
Those buttons on that top ... SPLENDID!
Posted by: Francesca | June 04, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Love the sweater..the print and the original! Great blog!
Posted by: jenn | June 04, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Really cute!
Posted by: Alicia | June 04, 2008 at 09:48 AM
that is really cute. I have started a project with my niece, she a little designer, we are sewing our favorite buttons on pillows
thanks for your idea
Posted by: lavon | June 04, 2008 at 09:37 AM
That is too cute!
Posted by: Tizzalicious | June 04, 2008 at 08:36 AM
You are SO cute! :)
Posted by: Ana | June 04, 2008 at 07:45 AM
The sweater looks amazing Emily :) I too love old buttons, and have many jars of them!
Have a sunny week!
♥Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | June 04, 2008 at 07:32 AM
super sweet!
Posted by: mandy | June 04, 2008 at 07:29 AM
Looks great! I love it and so glad I ordered that print - can't wait to get it!
Posted by: Knitterella | June 04, 2008 at 07:17 AM
Being a button collector too (completely-obssessed) I must say I LOVE this sweater, those buttons are gorgeus!!! (I use my buttons to make necklaces and brooches, but maybe i have to try that one...)
Posted by: Caminin | June 04, 2008 at 04:17 AM
Wonderful- it's always tough to know what to do with buttons, the collection just grows and grows! because they are too pretty to be left behind.
Posted by: Olivia | June 04, 2008 at 04:17 AM
Very creative and beautiful :)
Posted by: Anne-Julie Aubry | June 04, 2008 at 03:38 AM
this is beautiful! i love it!!! :D
Posted by: elsie | June 04, 2008 at 03:03 AM
We should all have such pretty armor!
I just went mad buying buttons on Ebay UK. Boy the dollar is weak.
Posted by: Lotta | June 04, 2008 at 02:02 AM
cutesy!
Posted by: kim* | June 04, 2008 at 01:15 AM
That is so beautiful. I have a collection of special buttons from my grandmas. That is a great idea for them. :) I just love the way you think. We need to be friends. :)
Posted by: Shannon Benavidez | June 04, 2008 at 01:10 AM
Oh I love it! You are so clever! It suits you perfectly, you make me want to buy millions of buttons!
Posted by: Caroline | June 04, 2008 at 01:06 AM
That is great Ms. Martin!!!
I have been wanting to make my own cardigan since I saw "The Button Collector", but I was afraid it might be one of those things that are great in theory, but not so much in reality. Now I know that is completely wrong!! I must find neat buttons now...
Posted by: Madeline | June 03, 2008 at 09:46 PM
If you haven't already, you should read the book ("The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.")It's incredible that Bauby wrote it by the blinking of his eyes.
Posted by: Samantha | June 03, 2008 at 09:10 PM
I did a blazer with buttons last Spring.
see it here
http://sewnancy.blogspot.com/2007/05/sewing-project-you-can-do-on-car-trip.html
Posted by: Nancy Cook | June 03, 2008 at 07:37 PM
what a very special recreation. The button collector is one of my favorites.
Posted by: michelle | June 03, 2008 at 07:14 PM
My jaw hit the floor because of the gorgeousness, great work as usual!
Posted by: cassie | June 03, 2008 at 06:59 PM
...could anything be cuter???
Geez....that's adorable, all your favorites collected on that lovely cardigan!
Too sweet for words......... ;)
Thanks so much for sharing!
<3~michelle.f
Posted by: miss.michelle | June 03, 2008 at 06:47 PM
That is a great movie and a great sweater! Love the buttons!
Posted by: Ellen | June 03, 2008 at 06:18 PM
what's the name of the movie where the guy has a sweater covered in buttons? breakfast on pluto? have you seen it? if not you should...if for nothing else to take a gander at his sweater of awesomeness.
Posted by: risa | June 03, 2008 at 06:09 PM
love the sweater, and I loved, loved, loved that movie too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: denise | June 03, 2008 at 05:49 PM
hi emily, i absolutely love the sweater and it looks great on you!!!!! I have to make one. the placements of the buttons are perfect, i wouldn't change a thing. you know you could even sale them on etsy. i would buy one!
Posted by: dawn | June 03, 2008 at 05:46 PM
My grandmother had jars of vintage buttons tucked away when she passed. I always wondered what she had held onto them for, but seeing this, I can totally imagine her in this beautiful, funky cardigan. you have (and so did she!) a wicked sense of style.
Posted by: Erin | June 03, 2008 at 05:32 PM
Oh very cute! I have just pulled all the buttons off my button top (a moth had attacked it) :(
But it is getting reincarnated as a patchworky top now (very good for covering where moths have been biting!)
Posted by: Anna | June 03, 2008 at 05:30 PM
I love it. Great idea. I've always thought about adorning something with buttons ever since I saw the print...
Posted by: Holly Neufeld | June 03, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Emily! This could not be ANY cuter. Nice job. :)
Posted by: Design for Mankind | June 03, 2008 at 05:07 PM
it is indeed charming, emily! lovely work! (on both accounts)
Posted by: sarah | June 03, 2008 at 04:48 PM
Gorgeous! I love it.
Posted by: adrienne | June 03, 2008 at 04:44 PM
The color of your sweater is gorgeous and the addition of the buttons make it oh so Emily. Lovely!
Posted by: Victoria | June 03, 2008 at 04:44 PM
the cutest! love the colours against the ice blue...suits you well my dear : )
Posted by: kelly | June 03, 2008 at 04:32 PM
I have a bag like that, in pale green, with all my grandma's vintage buttons on it. :D
Posted by: Ledh | June 03, 2008 at 04:22 PM