If you lose the waist button from your jeans

[bean fidhleir]

and the nearest sewing shop is far away, what do you do?

A. Replace the jeans

B. Drive to the nearest sewing shop and buy a replacement

C. Cannibalize a button from your extensive scrapbag

D. Make a button




I'm curious about that because until recently there was a sewing shop about 4 miles away from me but apparently it didn't do enough business (it was part of a chain) and was closed. So now there are several quilting shops, but the nearest general fabric-and-notions place is 120 miles away near Boston.

The button that prompted this is made more like a large rivet, so when it pulled free of the waistband (the cloth seems woven of very weak, easily broken threads, but I like the jeans otherwise) there was no way to re-use it and no place nearby to buy a replacement.

So I got out my jeweller's saw, hand drill, and a piece of scrap 1/16 aluminum from the stock I'm using to make adapters for my touring racks (I guess this is bike-related after all ) and made a new button just the way folk did 200 years ago. It works fine. So I got to wondering - am I the only one being frugal this way?

[bmccasland]

If I was 120 miles from the closest sewing shop I would either cannibalize or make a button. You did miss the other option - hit the button jar. I've been saving buttons for years - buy an extra when I'm sewing things, pick them up off the ground, and then there's the extra buttons that come with ready-to-wear. So I could probably find something in my button jar that would fit. I'd also reinforce the waist band in the area of the button so the new one wouldn't pull out.

[redrhodie]

I have a button jar, too! I was just looking at it, actually, because it's sitting on my workbench as inspiration. I've always loved the colors of the buttons. My great grandmother started it, so it holds lots of memories. I don't really take from it, though, but I do ad.

If I loved the jeans, I'd make a button. too.

[kat_h]

the nearest general fabric-and-notions place is 120 miles away near Boston.

Seems like a good excuse for an unsupported double century.

Or maybe mail order the part you need.

[OakLeaf]

Put the jeans in a drawer knowing they're too good to throw out, intending to fix them "someday," leave them there for 15 or 20 years.

Want a pair that just needs a zipper?

[Zen]

I'd pick up something at Goodwill.



.

[shootingstar]

Gee, making a button..I'm impressed, bean.

Right now I have a pair of cords that had that happen. It's been not worn for past ...4 months. I better make sure I can still fit them at waist.

I used to have a button collection, since I used to sew nearly 80% of my wardrobe. this was pre-cycling years.

But gave alot of it up...but still have many spools of thread, bias strips, etc.

One day I'll force myself to visit a fabric dyeing ink shop which has some strange/neat singular buttons in their bin..fish, ying-yang...

Priorities...

[Irulan]

you can buy replacement metal buttons ( hammer on) at the notions counter, or mail order from any sewing notions place. A good alterations place will do it for a couple of bucks.

[Brandi]

I like zencentury idea. Pick up an old pair at a garage sale or something. And also use a piece of the jeans to add strength to the area the botton was in. Or better yet cut the botton with material and sew that to the jeans! Does that make sence?

[sundial]

Wally World has jean button kits in the craft section. Maybe this is an option?

[Geonz]

I happen to have a ton of buttons, but if not, safety pin. (actually I'm more likely to find the buttons than the safety pin.) Yea, they're from Grandma, too

Order somethign online....

... most likely I would put 'em in that drwer 'til they were too small and then still not toss 'em, but I haven't worn jeans in a loooong time. (Dockers, instead.)

I'm impressed make that button!

[tc1]

Always wear a belt with the jeans?

[bmccasland]

Just be careful with the safety pin - if it comes undone, you will get stabbed
I know this from experience... not pleasant either. Nothing quite like having a skirt fall down, in public

[csr1210]

Put the jeans in a drawer knowing they're too good to throw out, intending to fix them "someday," leave them there for 15 or 20 years.

Want a pair that just needs a zipper?

Good Grief--are we related??? Unfortunately for DH, I do that with his stuff too Though for HIM, I'll probably get the button sewn on in less than 6 months (well, at least under a year )-- aw, true love!

Super on making the button! I might think about it, but after 10-15 years, I'd end up losing the enthusiam to do it...

[malkin]

Way to go, making a button!

In the unlikely event that I had jeans that I liked, I'd probably make a button-ish thing, but more likely from fabric and yarn and fluff than from real machiney metal.