Uses for old buttons

16011996

i have 2 jars full of old buttons, and haven't a clue what to do with them. some are really pretty and seems a shame to throw them out, anyone any ideas?

Galtizz

Cover 1 gilt mirror frame with PVA glue. Stick buttons all over it (colour co-ordinating with front room or bight rainbow effect for bathroom) Ta da. Used up buttons and no need to clean mirror ;D

16011996

Cover 1 gilt mirror frame with PVA glue.  Stick buttons all over it (colour co-ordinating with front room or bight rainbow effect for bathroom) Ta da.  Used up buttons and no need to clean mirror  ;D

pmsl. thanks, but i like the mirror too much to do that.

Galtizz

Shame

I remember covering an old table lamp base with, I think it must have been tile grout or something gloopy like that then sticking shells collected from the beach all over it then dusting with sand. You could use buttons instead - you can get grout in funky colours now too.

Or, I found THIS page. A festive button wreath.

My Gran collected buttons ''cause you never know when you might need one'' she kept them colour co-ordnated in jars and when she died she had hundreds of these blooming jars - I'll see if I can find out what we did with them. We gave all of her wool to a charity that makes crocheted (don't know how to spell it, kitting with holes in) blankets for Bosnia and Romania etc. I think they'll have enough to keep everyone in the world warm ;D I think she was starting her own button and wool mountain.

16011996

i have an old lamp i could do that with, i like that idea lots. off to focus next tue with grandad as its pensioners discount day so will see what colours of grout they have got.

thanks.

MATH

Stitch a button to the corner of ya cleaning/ dish cloth for when you want to attack a stuborn stain, burnt on food or get into the grouting etc. You can use the button direct on the offending bit (like a scraper) or use through the fabric of the cloth. Saw this on the telly years ago, apparently it's an old trick used by scullery maids etc in the old fashioned times (as my kidz call it)

Knew someone who used to have a button stiched to the front of her pinny (cross-over of course) always wondered what it was for until I saw here hang her oven gloves/duster off it so she had them at hand.

16011996

Stitch a button to the corner of ya cleaning/ dish cloth for when you want to attack a stuborn stain, burnt on food or get into the grouting etc. You can use the button direct on the offending bit (like a scraper) or use through the fabric of the cloth. Saw this on the telly years ago, apparently it's an old trick used by scullery maids etc in the old fashioned times (as my kidz call it)

Knew someone who used to have a button stiched to the front of her pinny (cross-over of course) always wondered what it was for until I saw here hang her oven gloves/duster off it so she had them at hand.

well thats 2 buttons taken care of. thanks.

MATH

LOL ;D I was cooking the tea at the time. Couldn't come up with a whole jar of ideas at the time. Still can't sorry

16011996

was bit worried had offended you, glad you lol. ;D

my daughter says sew them allon a bag, it'll look cool, yes by the time i'm finished i'd have no fingers left.

16011996

gotta say, the idea on the dishcloth is a good one though, gonna give that a try,

thanks.

MATH

Felt I had dissapointed you on the button front So I've wracked my brains and come up with 3 more wizzard ideas ;D

1. Being the 'Queen of Chat' you could display your royal lineage by decorating all ya clothes with buttons like the pearly Kings & Queens do. Turn a few heads in Sainsbury's

2. Thread them through ya hair for that trendy braided look (if it's long) and that crazy mad-woman look (if it's short) ;D. People downright staring in Sainsbury's

3. THIS IS THE BEST ONE! Create a beaded curtain out of buttons. Hang it on ya kitchen door to create the atmosphere of an Indian restaurant. Tell ya kidz it's every bit as good as going out to eat and save a fortune.

If none of these inspired and useful ideas appeal you could always save them for when a button drops off ;D