 |
|
|
|
|
KINGSMERE CRAFTS
HAND-CRAFTED LEATHER GOODS
How to make braided buttons
As we have so very recently been probing the secrets of mystery braiding it seems somewhat appropriate at this point to turn to the making of leather buttons. Once you have made your first one, of whatever size, the method is the same for all others.
The length of the thong required for making buttons depends upon the diameter and thickness of the button and the substance of the leather you are using. If you are using a light-coloured leather it is preferable to stain the edges of the strip before you begin braiding. For darker leathers the entire button may be stained after moulding. If the button you are to make is a 1" button then the length of the strip required is some 21" long and approximately ³/8" wide.
Fold a strip over the forefinger of your left hand keeping the grain side uppermost. Call the front half A and the back half B (see illustration below, Fig 1). Next, twist B into a loop and place it over the top of A with the grain facing to the front (see illustration below, Fig 2). Using the principles of braiding of over-under-over-under the point of A is then passed under the end of B, over the right side of the loop, under A on your finger and over the left side of the loop as shown in the illustration in the direction of the arrow.
|
|
|
That part over the finger is called the shank and should not be lost in the knot, for a long shank is necessary for attaching the button in its intended position of use. The knot is then pulled up tightly into shape to form a round button (see illustration below, Fig 3). Tuck away the ends passing up under the two loops which hold the shank (as in illustration, Fig 4).
After pulling the button up very tightly you wet it and leave it to mellow. Cut the surplus ends off. The button can be moulded into shape using dies or by hand. It can be pressed into shape using a block of wood with an appropriately sized hole drilled into it. To get a good surface and shape considerable pressure is required. When it is completely dry finish it off with a coat of clear lacquer. That prevents the button from absorbing moisture.
|
|
|
The shanks which are for attaching the button into its intended position are pared to a long bevel on both sides. The final method of attachment is your own choice depending on the material on which the button is to be used.
Contents
Links
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
|
|
|
|
|
|
