Art Speaks Series: September 2014
Every other month, Art Speaks will feature a member organization or guild whose collection is housed in Textile Center’s library. The Minnesota State Button Society was established in 1943, and is dedicated to the collecting and preserving of antique and collectible sewing buttons. The Society meets every 3rd Saturday at Textile Center, except when they attend the Annual Button Show and Auction, or the convention. www.mnbuttonsociety.com
From 1944 to 1979, Just Buttons Magazine was published monthly by the Just Buttons Museum in Southington, Connecticut. The museum, located in an 18th century homestead and open by appointment only, is filled with buttons. The collection ranges widely from buttons as museum pieces, to buttons for sale.
Just Buttons is geared toward collectors, and showcases individual collectors’ buttons, button-making processes, and a featured type of button in each issue. The Textile Center library owns most of these out of print issues.
Visit the Textile Center Library and make your own connections with our collection!
Bibliography
Buttonhooks: Collecting and Price Guide Volume 1 by Cynthia L. Compton © 1983
Describes the author’s collection pieces and any information she found about original pricing and use of various types of buttonhooks.
Buttons: the Collector’s Guide to Selecting, Restoring, and Enjoying New and Vintage Buttons by Nancy Fink and Maryalice Ditzler © 1993
A great resource for use when wandering through flea markets or antique stores. Brief descriptions accompanied by clear, colorful photos.
50 Heirloom Buttons to Make by Nancy Nehring © 1996
Includes great photographs of many buttons inspired by vintage and antique designs. There are good instructions with clear drawings for making buttons from fabric, needle-lace crochet, ribbon and braid closures.