Down County Tradition of Collecting Buttons!

One way to recycle an empty giant pretzel jar -- use it to store 22,700 buttons -- and no, I didn't count them, but I know the three people who did!



Ever since I can remember, every woman in the family had a button jar, a collection of odd buttons from old clothes, used to replace broken or missing buttons. Mom had two cans for the longest time while we were kids. One had all different buttons, and the other had only the white or clear buttons in it. Back in the day, nothing was ever thrown away. Of course, the jars were much smaller than this one, and I'm sure the tradition started generations ago. However, I watched in amazement as the button jar for my Grandmother started to grow and grow, then overflow! I wasn't the only one in awe of this phenomenon, word got out and then everyone started asking to see the jars. Yes, there's more than one, MANY more!

On this particular day, we emptied out the jars, one at at time, in search of extra large buttons to put on two "warm window" curtains, a new variety of insulated curtains that accordian either sideways or upwards (and they really do work great to keep the heat in). The buttons were to hold the curtains closed in lieu of using cord. Needless to say, we found several sets of 4 buttons, and the perfect sets of large wooden buttons. And, I got more small buttons for my beaded ornaments, where I needed sets of 6 for each.



Grandma was very generous and gave others their own jars, of various sizes and shapes. I asked years ago and received one that was perfect for my needs. As an occasional seamstress (as time and inspiration allow), I found a need to use various buttons, often one or two at a time. My jar eventually grew from the original size to the size of a large pickle jar. I kept it on display where I could see and admire it as the form of art that is truly is, as we would walk past it in daily life. Inevitably, it was often the topic of conversation by those who entered our home and also admired or were curious about it. It's certainly not a common household item in today's world!

When we worked and lived at a boarding home in northern California, one of the international boarding students asked if I had any buttons he could use, because he lost one on his favorite pants. I assured him I could help him out. At dinner time, I brought my jar to him in the cafeteria to his table. I wish we had a picture of his expression when he saw the jar and realized what he was looking at! I believe the words I remember hearing were something like, "Whoa!!!! Where'd you get that many buttons! Holy Moley, that's a lot of buttons! Wow!" And more similar comments from him and his friends. I told him to take his time to pick out the right one(s) and then just bring it back when he was done. I think he'll be telling that story for a long time to come! Ha ha, what fun!

Another time, in the quilting circle that was so much fun to play with at the school, one of the ladies was making a quilt with a lot of cats and dogs on it. Each one needed several buttons, for the eyes and for their outfits, which seemed to be plaid. It was a quilt I'll never undertake, of the paper-piecing variety -- too much work, too much precision, but beautiful. Anyway, I gave Susan the jar to go thru to find just the right buttons super tiny buttons to do her quilt. Not only did it save her about $20 or $30 or more, as there had to be about 30 or so cats and dogs on the quilt, if I remember correctly (it was a LOT), but it saved her the shopping time and was fun to do. Her quilt turned out fantastic, and will forever have a piece of Down County sewn into it.

This pickle jar holds almost 6,000 buttons:



As time went on, my button jar also expanded. People hear you collect buttons, so they bring you more. Then, you find them at yard sales. Estate sales. I got a lot from our wonderful cousins in California, from Bill's sister, Serleta. She had drawers of buttons from her sewing days, long ago. Thanks!

Now we have Mom's button jar, also the pretzel jar variety, divided by 4 for my other 4 sisters. The jar had been around so long, the plastic was starting to chip off. Even divided 4 ways, that is a LOT of buttons, and a great way for a Down County tradition to continue through another generation and make it's own branches, and find it's own way to replenish at each of these stops.

Here is a small version for a sister-in-law, who just wants a few to pick from for the occasional mending job. If she wants more, I hope she will just ask, this is all she said she wanted to start with.



Currently on our fridge: pickle jar for sister Juanita, my new jar, and jar for sister-in-law, Robin:


One may ask, where the heck did they all come from? It's a story that goes back many years, and is a deep part of the tradition of my roots. We are a family of hand-me-downs, as are many of my friends I have met along the way. The generations that remember the Great Depression and are reluctant to throw away anything that can be re-used. I remember the roll of used bread bags, the ORIGINAL rubber-band balls, a wooden roller that had baby jar lids screwed to it and the jars filled with miscellaneous nails and screws (very clever design), and of course, the buttons. Nothing was thrown away. Old clothing had the zippers, buttons, and anything reusable removed, and then that piece of clothing moved on to the Rag Bag. Every home I know about had a rag bag, and the rags were as important a household item as anything else we used.

Then one year Grandma somehow inherited all the leftovers from the local church rummage sale, and then it became an annual tradition for many years to follow, until she finally told them she was done. But while it lasted: Jackpot! She got to go thru these things and separate them out and find homes for just about anything and everything. I remember one time asking her to save me some leg warmers if she ever came across any (they were still in fashion!), and next thing I knew, I was walking out with about 10 pairs of all different colors! I don't think there is a person in the family that didn't have a similar experience at Grandma's house. You'd be there one day talking about an idea you had about making or doing something, and then the next time you visited, she'd have a stash of goodies to match what you were working on. Now, that's not why any of us ever went there, I know it's not why I went there, but it's something that often happened and was fun to be a part of.

So, all the old or damaged clothing that came from the rummage sales became either rags, trash, or got cut up to make one of Grandma's famous quilts (another story). And so the button jars started to swell and swell and go live in the various homes in Down County.

I've used the buttons in my jar for so many projects, including helping friends, and even for making glass beaded Christmas Ornaments (who knew that one would ever come up). My jar has changed form several times, once because my stash grew bigger, then also because of traveling and now for downsizing. But, my jars have their own stories to tell, and have made lasting impressions on the many hands that have held them, and the eyes the have befallen on them. And those are just the stories from my jars. It may not be something that comes to mind often, but I'm sure that each of the jars that got their start in Down County have their own interesting stories to tell. Who had any idea of how this legacy would grow and grow, and now continue to grow?

I just have to say, it's the little things like this, when all put together, that help make up the fun in being part of a bigger whole -- this time in being part of Down County.