"I Keep Losing Buttons!"

[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.

[pbutts]

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]

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

[Dollander]

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.

[pbutts]

The epaulets are cloth, so that’s a great suggestion.

Thanks for the video link.

[Ordway]

Carpet thread. Practically indestructible, and looks like a thicker version of normal thread.

[Lady Grey]

Same as Dollander suggested but when using general sewing thread such as Guttermann I double it and use 4 strands for all buttons -shank or eyes. The wraps around the base are very important to include to take stress off the fabric and shank.