Removable Buttons

[svc40bt]

Anyone have pics of the bent safety pin method.

[Abax]

It works even better if you put a metal disk between the button and the cotter pin, but the disks are harder to find.

How about using a washer? I'd guess a large-pattern #2 or #4 washer would do the trick.

Abax

[Bugbear]

Anyone have pics of the bent safety pin method.

No, sorry... I'm not even sure you could take a picture that would make sense.

* I am finding it hard to explain too, but basically there is a small bend in the middle of the pointed wire of the safetypin. It's like a half circle or a "V" shape, and that is what holds the button on. The other side of the pin has to be bent to make both sides equal.

You put the pin through the fabric, over the shank, and back in the fabric then push it through until that little bent part is over the shank. Then you close the pin and it's done.

You can also get quilt basting safetypins that are already bent, but they are a bit bigger than you need, and cost a bit more. Hope that helps. *

* You know, I'm not satisfied with the safetypin technique anymore. The safetypins leave a dent in the fabric if they aren't shaped right, they can be difficult to put on, and they can show if the buttons are not on the large size. However, I don't want to punch holes in my jackets.

So, I'm trying to redesign a safetypin of sorts that will do the job without needing the holes. *

[kevinkinney]

Hi all,

I cheated.

When I rebuilt my doublet, I used small circular pieces of Gore-Tex seam tape to reinforce both the lining and wool, then simply punched a 1/8" hole through both layers. My buttons are held on with 3/4" long by 1/8" thick pieces of polyethylene plastic welding rod. I heated them up, and pressed them through the loop in the button shanks, and bent the shanks down slightly to hold the orientation. I can pull them out with a pair of needle nose pliers.

Cheers,

Kevin.