buttons

Does anyone know of a button attachment device to make instant repairs? I used to have one with 'dog-bone' plastic fasteners that were inserted with a injection device. Only problem was the plastic would age fast and the button would fall off soon after the repair.

Reply to
Jim Small
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A needle and thread, it only takes 1 minute to properly attach a button, I did it myself yesterday, boy was I amazed! Not totally instant, but pretty darn close.

HTH

Michelle Giordano

Reply to
Doug&Michelle

The one I have is called a hand sewing needle

Fast way to sew on a button:

Cut a length of sewing thread 4x your comfortable sewing length. For me. for a single button, it would be about 4 ft.

Double the thread, then thread a crewel/embroidery needle (big eye) with the doubled thread. Make a knot in the ends of the thread, so you have 4 threads caught together. Beeswax or a little Thread Heaven works nicely to prevent tangling.

Sew the button on -- usually just 3-4 stitches (which gives you 12-16 thread thicknesses), then a quick couple of wraps to form the shank, and tie off.

See also:

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Reply to
Kay Lancaster

On 19 Feb 2006 03:42:03 GMT in alt.sewing, Kay Lancaster wrote,

I don't know if that's allowed for a guy. I sew buttons on the machine. Set width to the spacing between the holes, drop the feed dogs, and a couple of seconds later it's done.

Reply to
David Harmon

OK, sir, wash your hands for fifteen minutes, then slide into a tasteful pale green smock that ties up the back. Put on a head covering and a mask slipped over your ears. Lay the shirt on a table under a bright light and snarl, "needle! Thread!" Quien es mas macho?

HTH.

--Karen D. whose SISTER does this every day, but she doesn't merely portray one on TV

Reply to
Veloise

LOL I ****PROMISE**** no one will come to revoke your Guy Card if you hand sew on a button. If they do come to take your Guy Card while you are sewing on a button, you will have the needle right there in your hand to poke them into submission. ;)

Sharon

Reply to
Sharon Hays

Of course it is! My grandfather taught me to sew on buttons!

Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

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for my upcoming class schedule!

David Harm>

Reply to
Karen Maslowski

Great that so many could have so much fun. And people with arthritis in the hands have no right to buttons.

Reply to
Jim Small

Jim, If you are referring to yourself you never said there was a problem. If not you lighten up. Fun makes the world go round. People who have arthritis would/should state there's a problem and they would receive help. Many of us are not spring chickens and have problems with arthritis, carpal tunnel, and an assortment of other disabilities and still sew a button on with a needle and thread. Many people with arthritis prefer to use velcro. Do you need help with a special problem?

Juno

Reply to
Juno

The thumbs go first. So, you find ways to use the fingers more. Tools, too. Leverage is a wonderful thing. Also that thin rubber stuff -- I couldn't live without that. I'd starve to death. Can't open a jar without it. Lots of us have had to find new ways to do things we've done all our lives without a thought.

Reply to
Pogonip

I have hand problems: RSI (an old teaching injury), and I sew professionally. I find it much easier to sew buttons on by hand than any other way. Thread the needle with a double thread, so that you have

4 threads hanging from it: knot the end, and two quick stitches secures it. Tie off, and you're done. Takes seconds. If the needle won't slide through easily, use a needle grip pad or a pair of pliers.

My 86 YO FIL with bent and twisted fingers still sews his buttons on by hand. In my 43 year sewing experience both those button replacing gadgets and machine sewn button come off quicker than hand sewn ones.

Reply to
Kate Dicey

Eeeeyup! My 60+ years of experience is exactly the same....

Reply to
BEI Design

We must be doing *something* right then, daaaaahlink!

Reply to
Kate Dicey

Nah. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, both hands are deformed, and I've had reconstructive surgery on my right hand. So having established that I too have experience, let me say that there are all sorts of gadgets out there. Including one to help button and zip. there are also gadgets to make turning lamps on easier, open doors easier, turn your car on, etc. Lots and lots, if you're willing to look. And if you want, I'll try to find the last catalog I got.

Sharon

Reply to
Sharon & Jack

"Jim Small" wrote in message news:dtddg9$7pa$ snipped-for-privacy@news.netins.net...

You didn't mention the arthritis part but even so this group meant no harm. Many of us have disabilities of one sort or another (or we are just so damned old that it's a miracle we haven't become a petroleum product) and we usually make light of this while seeking a solution. Life is much too short to pass up a good chuckle. My dear sweet grandmother did beautiful embroidery but she got to the point where it was impossible for her to thread the needles she liked to use.........forget about using another type or self threading needle, she'd used the other for 50 years. I would sit with her 4 dozen plus needles and thread them one after the other onto her spools of thread while we chatted away, I threaded, she chatted. She did all of her beautiful Danish embroidery in shades of blue. I now have a similar problem and I have recruited the little neighbor girl to thread needles for me. We have wonderful discussions about how I had the same problems as her when I was her age, some things are different, something's are the same, and mean kids and nice kids and funny smelling teachers and whether cats or dogs make better pets, etc. How lovely, I may no longer be able to thread a needle but I have a little friend to chat with and often she brings her friends, boys as well as girls. This place is an equal opportunity threading and learning to sew stuff and talk about anything place. I have also found that if I get those little rubber finger tip cover things you get in the office supply stores and wear them on my index finger and thumb I can handle the needle much easier when I do sew with it.

If you will type 'arthritis aids' into your search engine, I used Google, you'll get hundreds of hits for many companies, mostly mail order that have all kinds of things to make your life easier.

Good luck to you Jim, Val

Reply to
Valkyrie

ROTFLOL!!!! Val!! Hang on.... better. You almost made me snort coffee through my nose with that one!

My dear sweet grandmother did beautiful

That is such a wonderful story!! Both about your grandmother and now your little neighbor. I got teary eyed reading that. What wonderful memories you have and are making every time. Thank you so much for sharing that.

Ok. You made me laugh and get weepy all in one email. Your work here is done. ;)

Have a great one!!

Sharon

Reply to
Sharon Hays

Also that thin rubber stuff -- I

Oh! Oh!! If you can't find the rubber thingy to open jars, but you can find your rubber dishwashing gloves, those will work too. I use that trick all the time. Have taught my kids too. With the gloves you get a really good grip on both the lid and the jar.

I know arthritis is probably down the line for me too. But I have hope that I will be like my grandmother was. She could still crochet even after all of her knuckles were almost sideways. I don't know for sure how she did it; I think determination might have had a lot to do with it. But she really did do gorgeous work even at that point.

Sharon

Reply to
Sharon Hays

Or the double-wide rubber bands off broccoli.

HTH

--Karen D. who r-e-a-l-l-y likes living in a place with door levers, instead of knobs

Reply to
Veloise

You didn't mention arthritis before. I don't know of any other way, besides sewing machine, which doesn't last as long anyways.

Not too much help from me afterall.

Michelle Giordano

Reply to
Doug&Michelle

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