"I Keep Losing Buttons!"

**pbutts** · 18th January 18, 10:45 AM

The jacket and vest I wear for solo piping gigs has epaulets and the standard silver colored, diamond shaped buttons. At each of my last two gigs, I have managed to knock off the button on the left side (drone side, naturally). I think I'm fairly careful with my pipes, so I was surprised when I discovered that I must have snagged it again after having to sew on a replacement just hours before.

Any thoughts on a good knot or alternate thread that I could use? Should I just sew the epaulets down without a button?

**gealach** · 18th January 18, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by pbutts

...Any thoughts on a good knot or alternate thread that I could use?...

Alternate to what? Did you already use button thread or just a regular one?

**Father Bill** · 18th January 18, 12:32 PM

Guttermann's thread is the one I see most recommended. Just keep looping your thread through over and over again and frap it when you're done before tying off.

**pbutts** · 18th January 18, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

Guttermann's thread is the one I see most recommended. Just keep looping your thread through over and over again and frap it when you're done before tying off.

Definition of frap
frapped; frapping
transitive verb
: to draw tight (as with ropes or cables)

frap a sail

....I had to look that one up. We normally have 5-6 spools of Coats and Clark thread in the sewing kit. It looks like Joann fabric lists Guttermann's on their website, so I'll check that out.

**Damion** · 18th January 18, 04:16 PM

You could try linen thread which is much stronger than cotton.

**Dollander** · 18th January 18, 06:39 PM

I replaced the buttons on my Argyll using Coats & Clark Button & Craft thread and this method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLTgYl7xS68

I haven't had any problems, but then again I don't play the pipes so there's nothing out of the ordinary stressing them.

Also, I punched a small hole in the epaulet itself with my eyelet pliers (and secured the edge with simple stitching and a bit of Fray Check for good measure), so the shank of the button could pass through, and then sewed it to the jacket itself. I just thought it'd look better with the button flat against the fabric rather than floating above it. Of course, my Argyll has plain cloth epaulets, so I doubt this'll be feasible if yours are the braided variety.