WTH do you do with all the extra buttons or other extras that come with clothes?

[tiapam]

This is such a tiny bit of stuff in the house, but seriously, I cut tags off a new shirt for DD today and did not know what to do with the extra button. I know I have buttons in more than one spot right now, some of which I can no longer remember. Do you put everyone's extra buttons in one spot? Separate spots? What do you actually put them in? I don't often need one but of course when I do, I can't find it!

[DrSally]

I have a plastic steralite shoe box container with my sewing supplies. In that, I have 2 plastic "tackle boxes" that are thin. They have dividers. One of them I use for thread, another, I use for buttons. I actuall use the dividers to separate the buttons by color, LOL!

I have a little mint tin that I use for extra yarn that comes with sweaters and another for fabric samples that I can bring to stores if I'm trying to match something.

[happymom]

I usually do not save them unless they are very unique and would be hard to replace. I usually just put them in my dresser drawer. But in all honesty, I don't think I have EVER used an extra button that I've saved.

Does this thread remind anyone else of the Seinfeld bit though? He has some funny lines about exactly this...extra buttons!

[DrSally]

My mom had a Mason jar of buttons. I wish she still had it b/c I'm sure there were some unique buttons in there. There are lots of uses for antique buttons.

[wallawala]

I throw them in a ziploc that is stuffed into my little sewing kit (a bag from one of those free makeup promotions like lancome etc). It's a little kit because I resew buttons on about 1x/wear. I used to hand hem all my pants (damn short legs). But now found a local place that does it for $8. It's so not worth my time to do it anymore!


I was just complaining I'd have to toss my trench coat because I lost one of the big buttons on the front. Usually those extras are sewn onto a tag. It was an inexpensive trench from TJMaxx... but fit well and cute.

Just found the extra button in my zippy... Coat saved!

[niccig]

I throw them in a ziploc

I do the same. I have a ziplock in my sewing supplies. I just throw them all in together and figure I can sort as looking for a particular button. As a PP mentioned, I don't think I ever used the extra button.

My sewing supplies are kept in a box,much like a tool box or tackle box. It's all contained, and I don't sew that much to warrant a better system.

[MontrealMum]

I have several large ziplocs full of all the 'extra' buttons that come with clothing stored in the jewelry drawer of my dresser. It's more compact than you might think and I know right where it is, just in case. I've only needed one once, but I feel that I ought to keep them all just in case. So, at least I'm keeping them all together. I don't actually have a sewing box. I'd keep them in the sewing machine but that's mostly full of my grandma's buttons and sewing supplies (I inherited it from her ;) )

[KrisM]

I don't keep them because I don't know where to keep them. I figure I could find something that matches well enough. But, I think I'll try to find a place and keep them. Do you all keep them in the little bag they come in or just loose?

[hillview]

They are adding to my mess in my top drawer!
/hillary

[wellyes]

I toss them after years & years of not knowing what in the heck to do with them.

But I like the Mason jar idea. I think I'll start saving them there. I swear the case of empty mason jars I bought has been endlessly useful.

[DietCokeLover]

They are adding to my mess in my top drawer!
/hillary

Me too!

[Melaine]

Some are in my jewelry box but the ultimate destination is my sewing bag.

[mommylamb]

I save buttons. I've had to go back and use them many times. I toss the thread that sometimes comes with fine knit sweaters. I don't sew, so what's the point.

[MamaMolly]

I save them in a really pretty pressed glass jar. They look nice and it is one of the things on or in my dresser that I have no problem letting Lula play with. I got the jar at a junk store, I'm sure, and liked that it had a screw on lid.

My mom kept them in a coffee can and I remember loving to play with them as a kid.

[tiapam]

Ok, I am going to save the next pretty jar I get and do that. And I realized I have a good spot for it in a cabinet above the laundry machines. I already put a small box of sewing things there (when I put it away!). I just do mending so I don't have much.

I did come across the idea of a button wreath a while back and thought it was a neat and easy idea (and I am not crafty!). Here are two examples of how you could do it:

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2007/12/vintage_button_wreath.html

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/button-wreath-ornament

I also saw button bouquets at a craft fair this summer. There is a lot of info online if you Google it. The seller I saw used salt shakers and what looked like florist wire. I really wanted one but I was a good girl and restrained myself. I figure if I really want one I can make it myself!

I also remember playing with my mom's button box. It was some sort of plastic box that had held something else before. I still remember the picture on top! I think my sister has it, I will have to visit it and see if I remember any buttons.

[DrSally]

I was just complaining I'd have to toss my trench coat because I lost one of the big buttons on the front. Usually those extras are sewn onto a tag. It was an inexpensive trench from TJMaxx... but fit well and cute.

Just found the extra button in my zippy... Coat saved!

:thumbsup: Good news!

[edurnemk]

I have a sewing supply box, and I keep extra buttons and threads in a ziploc inside this box.

[DrSally]

I don't keep them because I don't know where to keep them. I figure I could find something that matches well enough. But, I think I'll try to find a place and keep them. Do you all keep them in the little bag they come in or just loose?

Just toss loose. I think I'm going to switch my system to a Mason Jar. I think it would be more fun and those little compartments in my tackle box drive me to color sort, which is really not necessary!

[KrisM]

Just toss loose. I think I'm going to switch my system to a Mason Jar. I think it would be more fun and those little compartments in my tackle box drive me to color sort, which is really not necessary!

I have a small drawer in my dresser that holds lonely socks until I find a mate. I am going to put a small basket in there to catch the buttons.

[cono0507]

This is such a tiny bit of stuff in the house, but seriously, I cut tags off a new shirt for DD today and did not know what to do with the extra button. I know I have buttons in more than one spot right now, some of which I can no longer remember. Do you put everyone's extra buttons in one spot? Separate spots? What do you actually put them in? I don't often need one but of course when I do, I can't find it!

I take them out of the mini-bags they come in and dump all the buttons in a ziploc in my sewing kit. I'm glad I keep them because I have definitely made use of them when we've lost buttons along the way! :)

[MommyAllison]

Most of them that I've had come in tiny ziploc type bags, so I write a quick description of the item (ie Gap black peacoat) on the bag and keep them all together in a plastic pencilbox.

[AJP]

I used to keep them all over the house. Sewing kit, kitchen junk drawer, bathroom. Now I just toss! I feel so free lol. I've never had to replace any unique enough that I had to search farther than my moms sewing kit.