Making Dorset Buttons

Have you ever made a garment and not been able to find the right button or embellishment...the answer: DORSET Buttons. Dorset button is a style of craft-made button originating in the English county of Dorset (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorset_button). The most popular Dorset button today is called the Dorset Cartwheel. Buttons are available readymade online at esty.com;  NeedienThread.com; even Amazon has gotten into the picture. Instructions are available on youtube, and there is an excellent tutorial at potterwrightandwebb.co.uk

At a recent meeting, the weavers were introduced to this technique. The equipment is minimal, a frame, a needle and thread of some kind. The basic steps are: Casting on or covering the frame by blanket stitching around the frame; Slicking or pushing the ridge of the stitch to the inside, Laying or making the spokes and Rounding or filling in the gaps.  Although the learning curve is short and simple, it does take practice to produce a very special button.  

These buttons can be used on almost anything as an embellishment. 

White pearl vs olive Dorset buttons

The original plan for this olive sweater was white pearl, but lo and behold how Dorset buttons set it off. And this blue vest and cap...definitely special.

Note the adorable pink and blue.

We did have an opportunity to make our first button. While it did take me almost thirty minutes, I believe like most craft skills, it becomes quicker and easier with practice.  And definitely worth it.

Have fun.