13 Sep
Buttons

Midsommar Button By Pigeon Wishes

By Megan Valero

Our Midsommar button arrived in our shop when the more organised businesses had already started hinting about Christmas. We usually release new buttons in collections however….this new button arrived solo. The last Pigeon Wishes button collection was all the way back in Feburary. Having not released any Spring button collections…..releasing one button was not the plan! 

Getting inspiration for this year has been a bit of a challenge. In the midst of a ‘90’s revival (lived through it, can’t gather the excitement for the return), the loud whispering of luxury or no single new sewing pattern shaking up every sewist on the internet, well… I felt a bit of a lull. Adding mothering, trying to keep afloat through the living cost crisis and just plain losing my mojo…. Everytime I went to plan out a button collection I was paralysed with indecision.

Inspo

Since my son was born, I have spent Summer with my mum. Mostly for childcare but also for a change. After travelling around for two weeks we went back to her house. I was hoping to start the process of gathering together a collection fully recharged. Still nothing was forthcoming. It wasn’t until I stopped overthinking and started to get some creativity back through picking up beading and making myself some flower necklaces that some spark started coming back. 

Already a bit too far into August we made the Midsommar button. Leaning into the simple theme of Summer, in all its cliche romanticism, was the singular button. My mum lives in rural France and spends most of her time gardening, the picture of the garden below is a micro meadow she planted. That along with finally watching the film ‘Midsommar’ I couldn’t escape the feeling of fields and of flowers. 

Image 1 | Image 2

Midsommar Button

Reminiscent of wildflower fields and hazy days, our Midsommar button evokes the season at its most changing. Celebrating rebirth, life and love. They pair well with a Summer colour palette. Cool, bright colours such as light Blue, light Green, Pink with neutral undertones, Beiges and pastel Purples. Available is sizes 15mm and 25mm.

Image 1 / Image 2

Eternal Sunshine

Writing a blog post about Midsommar just as all the attention turns to Autumn/Winter may be a touch anachronistic but I’m just that behind with my blog posts! Plus, I think this button deserves it’s moment. Somehow the Midsommar buttons work beautifully with all the fabrics we supplied this Spring/Summer and after putting them with a darker palette of Cobalt Blues and Blacks they glisten all the more. Call it Dopamine dressing or eternal sunshine but I do think there’s a space for a touch of florals outside of Spring!

Fabric 1 / Fabric 2 / Fabric 3

Shop our Midsommar button here or on our Etsy shop. Happy making!

Best (pigeon) Wishes,

Meg

 

 

26 Feb
Buttons

Galentines Buttons Collection ’23 | Pigeonwishes Buttons

The Theme

This year’s Valentines collection theme choice seemed obvious, Barbiecore! Pink and Valentines just go together and even I feel swept away in the buzz of the Barbie film. However, I couldn’t shake my lack of enthusiasm for the Barbie brand as a whole and what really interested me boiled down to the feminine construction. 

So this year our collection is veered towards celebrating Galentines day and all that it represents. Strong connections, deep friendship and how we uplift each other. 

We have four new buttons set to move you through the end of Autumn and to the start of Spring. With new sizes ready for overshirts, jackets and (of course) dresses. In colours to match the trepidation of Autumn before the explosion of colour.

Now for the collection……

Barbiecore Buttons

Named for the idol that is, Barbie. 

The swirl of Cream and Pinks help match this button with a range of Pink from Baby Pink to Fuschia. This button also pops against Whites and Creams. I personally like Pink and Brown together and I would put these buttons together with Fawn tones for a 70’s vibe.

Made for dopamine dressing and embracing all that is cute and girly. In sizes 15mm and 25mm.

 

Sublime Buttons

Flashes of metallic Blue and Green on a smokey Grey background. The Sublime buttons calls for sparkle and a bit of the feminine. Blue and green are always an exceeding combination and this cloudy button looks great against Grey’s, Blue’s and Greens with a colder colouring. In sizes 10mm and 20mm.

 

Beloved Buttons

Deep Crimson with flecks of Pink, Purple, Green and Blue these buttons are for those who love the detail. The many colours of this button make it perfect for pairing with a print, you want to pick a colour out from. This button is great with Reds that have a Blue undertone, Pinks, Creams, Purples. Beloved has true versatility.

Beloved refers to the Toni Morrison book of the same name. In size 15mm.

Beguiled Buttons

With stark black splashes against a soft brown and a lilac, this button is for those going into (or are fully) into their Purple Era. 

The Beguiled button looks stunning against all shades of Purple. A button that can hold its own due to its stark nature but also surprisingly warm. We’ve also paired this button with Browns and dark colours and the Beguilded button really brings something a bit something special.

THE perfect buttons for a lighter coat for the changing season. In sizes 10mm, 15mm and 20mm.

 

Hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know the collection a bit more and it’s perhaps inspired some sewing!

Best (pigeon) Wishes,

Meg

 

18 Nov
Buttons

LPMC xPW | LOOKBOOK

The Heitage Collection

A sense of Heritage is important to us. Between our families we represent East, West and North Africa, China, America and Scotland. Living and making a home for ourselves in England and France. Our children will be rooted with a sense of belonging that comes with the beauty of difference. We wanted this Heritage Collection to reflect parts of our world, taking heavy inspiration from the Tailoring history of England and the impeccable detail of French couture. With, of course, a twist.

Shaped especially for outerwear and utility wear, based partially on a vintage button to give a slight retro nod. These buttons came from connecting our personal histories and the history we made within the sewing community. We want these buttons to be part of your wardrobe, your world and your memories. Our shared makers history and Heritage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13 Nov
Buttons

Our Story | LPMC x PW

The Beginning 

La Petite Maison Couture (Elaine) and I fell head first into sewing garments and dreaming up sewing plans. Leading us to take pictures of ourselves and explain our creations and everything that went into the project on the internet, from the fabric to the seam finishes. This is how we first found each other and connected. We’ve followed each other on instagram for years and years. I was first and foremost Elaine’s fangirl! Her makes, style, outfits, photography skills and just that Paris girl something!

I nervously reached out to Elaine (sliding into her DM’s) last year on a wave of optimism hoping she would be open to collaborate with Pigeon Wishes to create her own button collection. Elaine made me wait nervously for a few months before replying! But it was with a big yes and much enthusiasm! Elaine has such a strong vision and sense of style. I knew whatever she would design would be so utterly beautiful, sophisticated and with that……je ne sais quoi. Spoiler: I wasn’t wrong.

Images @LaPetiteMaisonCouture | Labels

Making a Business

We found, we wanted to create those perfect finishing touches. Elaine’s business (LPMC) focuses on labels and Pigeon Wishes focuses on buttons. The finishing touches of a garment that bring something special, makes you smile a little more and make you want to gaze more closely at the details. We have almost opposing styles, that somehow overlap. I definitely lean into the excess and Elaine is sophisticated elegance. However, colour, pattern and detail is at the core of our fashion styles and preferences. 

The Heritage Collection

We knew straight away that we wanted to create outerwear buttons, drawing inspiration from English roots and Parisian aesthetics. Both of us having experience creating physical products, we knew exactly the feeling we wanted people to have when holding our buttons and as sewist we wanted our buttons to work with as many patterns as possible. Ultimately we want our buttons to inspire and create joy. Sewing has been a massive part of our lives. Enabling us to make friendships and connection, give us focus and respite in times of stress and release our creativity.

That’s our story but now the rest of the story is yours! Buttons will be released 16th November, we cannot wait to show you the collection in full!

Best (pigeon) Wishes,

Meg

21 Jun
Buttons

Paige Joanna X Pigeonwishes 2.0 | Spring 2022 Button Collection

It’s our new collection with Paige Joanna!

Paige and I were so happy and thankful for such a successful first button collection, there was no way we could resist another! Being able to work with Paige and seeing her create such gorgeous buttons has been a highlight of our button business. This second Spring collection holds so much of Paige’s style, inspirations and general joy we know they will add extra happiness to whatever they are added onto. Here’s a little introduction to each buttons……

Blossom Button

Blossom is a delightful button reminiscent of cherry blossoms and pink striped skies. Paige has already used these buttons on a pink Patina Blouse and who doesn’t love a bit of pink on pink? I also see these looking fabulous on lilac, baby blue, mint and other soft palette colours.

Available in medium and shirting size these buttons will add a pink pop to shirts and Sping jackets.

Image 1, 2 and 3

Buttercup Button

The bestseller from Paige’s last collection, I’m sure, needs no introduction. These buttons are back and in a new size. The buttercup buttons are the perfect fastening for summer dresses with slight cottagecore vibes, I can see picnic swishy picnic dress and woven baskets. 

Was it just me or did everyone hold a buttercup under their chin to find out if you liked butter? I always connect buttercups with picnics, slow summer days and childhood.

Image 1, 2 and 3

Ophelia Button

Now the Ophelia is my personal favourite button amongst this collection. I’ve already put a few aside for my own project. Paige was inspired by wildflowers and the Ophelia painting by John Everett. These buttons have an interesting abstract shape and are perfect for a romantic leaning make.

Image 1 and 2 | Image 3

Willow Button

Paige’s little girl is called Willow, so these are her official button. Inspired by the William Morris Print, Willow Boughs, these sage toned buttons draw nature and renewal to mind. Sage as a colour has had a huge surge in popularity, especially in interior design, I’m pretty sure the increase in green paint made and sold has been dramatic! Hands up who has new green walls (me!) 

These buttons can either be matched by a similarly Sage coloured fabric, we stock a beautiful Tencel/Linen which would match beautifully here. I’m also thinking about truly being inspired by the Willow Boughs painting and having an off white fabric to match with these buttons.

Images 1 and 3 | Image 2

All these buttons are available from Paige’s Etsy store and in some of the loveliest sewing shops (one day I will put a list of our stockists together!) If you are a shop and wanting to stock these button, please visit our wholesale shop here.

Happy sewing and best (pigeon) wishes,

Meg

28 Mar
Buttons

Dreamland Collection | Pigeonwishes Buttons

Written by Megan Valero

Hello Stitchers,

It’s here! Our Dreamland collection has landed (see here)!!! Our first collection of 2022, I’ve written about the influence of this collection (over on this blogpost here). We almost called this collection the Wonderland Collection, I even rewatched Disney’s animated film version of ‘Alice In Wonderland’ to get palette and colour ideas. Whilst this wasn’t meant to be in the end, I do feel like some inspiration stuck. Which can be felt in the the photos taken. Speaking of which, these are our first products professionally photographed. When it comes to photos I’m just a keen, amature with a smartphone! It’s been in-credibly difficult for me to put how I feel about our products and our collections into pictures.

Having Leesha (Onyx Branding Co) take the reins and producing images which really capture our buttons is such a big and fantastic step for our business. I’ve never felt happier and more excited to present a new collection to you all! As a company we really want to inspire making and creativity and we hope these new buttons put a spring (sorry, not sorry) into your makes.

Fanciful Buttons

Pink and yellow together has been becoming a favourite for quite some time, call it the Battenberg cake effect. The colours paired together are just so dopamine inducing and we wanted to bring some joyful buttons to you for Spring. In fact these buttons reminds me of a very specific scene in the film ‘Miss Congeniality’

‘Miss Rhode Island, please describe our idea of a perfect date.’

Cheryl “Rhode Island”: ‘That’s a tough one. I’ld have to say April 25th. Because it’s not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket.’

These are the buttons for that light jacket! Screaming light Spring jacket and perfect days. 

Neverland Buttons

Blue and green together is very much our theme and with lilac added. What a winning colour combination! Who knew! Something is just so fantastical about these buttons, I cannot help thinking about lagoons, mermaids, magic and fairies. Surely these buttons will be for a garment worth adventuring in! Summer is around the corner, sunny days and holidays will soon be rolling around. I cannot wait to see where these buttons will go and who they’ll go with! 

Daydream Buttons

This is the slight ‘wildcard’ of the collection. The colours aren’t neutral and maybe a little unconventional? I personally love how they look like the colours of the sky, when it’s a particularly beautiful sunset. Sometimes a fabric dictates a make and sometimes it’s the button that takes mainstage. I have plans for this button, which involve vivid sky blues an indie patterns…… I’m curious to see who else feels drawn this button and what fabric is used!

Whimsical Buttons

I think these buttons would look perfect on a picnic dress. I’m thinking Tilly and the Buttons Seren dress? Really any dress which inspires running through fields and picnicing. These buttons are close cousins of our ‘Fanciful’ buttons. Which feature Pink and Yellow, these are less Battenberg and more strawberry jam sandwiches. I’m so thankful the sun is shining again and hope we’ve got lots of opportunities for bare legs and days spent outside.

Lucid Buttons

In our blogpost about lilac and purple (read here) I got to deep dive into the colour and the accompanying connotations. Purple has always been a colour steeped in the unknown. It was natural to have this colour in a collection based on the realms of unconsciousness. We wanted a button for people who wanted deeper colours for Spring and were more Wisteria and deeper colours lovers. This button was my husband’s choice and he loves that periwinkle was the colour of 2022 (he’s a purple fan) and liked how this can be more for those makes which feature richer colours.

Surrealist Buttons

We actually made these buttons last year. Whilst I really loved the vibrancy of them, they never fit in with the original collection there were made for. After looking at them again and again for each new collection they finally seemed to fit here. Something about them seemed to remind me of the Artist Edith Rimmington and the whole Surrealist movement in general. Something about the colour combination and the way they seemed abstract yet set in a real garden. These buttons are so eye-catching and seem to make a statement with whatever fabric paired, we hope adds a bit of art to a garment.

We love our collection and enjoy sharing more about each button with you! To shop our collection click here

Our buttons are available for wholesale purchase so if you are a shop interested in stocking out products please register here

Happy Stitching!

Meg

 

07 Mar
Buttons

Spring ’22 Mood Board | Dreamland Collection by Pigeonwishes Buttons

By Megan Valero

Hello Stitchers!

It’s almost time for our new button collection,  The Dreamland Collection. In this post (like our last button mood board) I won’t be revealing the buttons but I will be sharing some inspiration we’ve had for the creation of this collection. Each collection pivots around a central idea. It’s now March and while Spring is the overarching theme; the colours, the vibe and the general tone is a little more specific. Florals for Spring is always a classic, however I wanted to go with a different twist. Keeping Spring’s colourfulness and sense of renewal, the collection is meant to have a dreamy haze.

I am so excited for this new collection, it’s been MONTHS since we’ve released anything new under our own brand, the last collection was October ‘21! Winter has come and gone, and I think we are all eager for the sun to bless this cold Island with some warmth!

Now here’s a taste of what’s to come…….

Fanciful Button  

Image 1 | Image 2 | Image 3

Fondant Fancy? Or just Fanciful.

These buttons remind me of the two best flavours of fondant fancies. Pink and lemon. One of the few times Chocolate flavour is just lacking! Heading towards Spring and (dare we say) picnics and general alfresco eating, this desert is best enjoyed amongst the flowers. We are colour enthusiasts and the rise of pink and yellow together is a joy inducing dynamic. 

Neverland Buttons 

Image 1 | Image 2 | Image 3

Colours that make you either want to take flight into a magical twilight sky or go into the depths of a lagoon filled with mermaids. Seems like there will always be at least one blue and green button in our collection!!! I actually cannot help myself! The next button in this colour combo saga is the Neverland button. 

Surrealist Buttons

Image 1 | Image 2 | Image 3

Unfazed by a collision and colour. We love the art movement that wanted to take a glimpse into the human mind. This button is the most ‘Spring’ like but also the most brash.

Daydream Buttons

Image 1 | Image 2 | Image 3

Always a believer. 

These buttons remind me of a dreamscape colour palette. Somewhere between sunset and the surreal. Blue and pink are our brand colours and have a special place in my heart. The colours together always seem a bit unexpected but they just work so, so well. These buttons are not an understatement! Meant for the dreamers.

Lucid Buttons

Image 1 | Image 2 | Image 3

The galaxy is deep, beautiful and inexorable. It runs forever. Looking up at the colour and patterns gives people infinite reverie. From ancient times to the present, purple and dark blue always represented dreams and mysteries.

I hope this has made you a bit intrigued! Happy stitching!

Meg

14 Jan
Buttons, fabric

Pigeon Wishes | 2021 Year In Review

By Megan Valero

It was the best of times…it was the worst of times. I think a lot of small businesses have this quote in their mind every time a year ends! 2021 has definitely been filled with serious highs and the corresponding lows. We’ve had amazing opportunities and customers come our way and have really felt our business grow. However, the lingering effects of Covid has shaped our year in ways we didn’t expect (or want lol) and will do so even into 2022. 

Last year really feels like a game of two halves. I was certain at the beginning of 2021 that everything would be back to ‘normal’ again. It was just about having faith and waiting it out. Half way through the year I think we all had to come to terms with Coronavirus being a continued presence and the new normal.

Here’s a rundown of some major highlights of 2021. We couldn’t include everything but hope you enjoy the insight and the behind the scenes of the business.

Pigeon Wishes Buttons

What started as a tiny offshoot, to earn ‘pocket money’ for myself and Olimi has turned into one of the cornerstones of our business. 2021 was our first, full year of releasing our buttons. We had our classic buttons, which are the buttons that have been around since the beginning, plus released four independent collections (Think Pink, Spring Fling, Beaches and Halloween) and two collaboration collections (with Paige Joanna and Cut One Pair).

The response has been overwhelmingly amazing and I cannot imagine our business without our buttons now! Each collection has been such a joy to produce and put out into the world. A massive highlight this year was having a competition to help create and name a new button! The Aberystwyth button (thank you for the inspiration @JenJen.Bollands). It’s a massive pleasure and privilege that Pigeon Wishes can be a part of so many of your makes.

Images 1 The Rag Shop Display | Image 2 Aberystwyth button| Image 3 Cherry Bomb Button| Image 4 Our Buttons

Paige Joanna X Pigeonwishes

Our first button collaboration! I am beyond thankful that Paige said yes to collaborating. Reaching out is always scary, the fear of rejection is real! However, as you can feel through her instagram, Paige is incredibly lovely, kind and open. It was a joy to work with her and I am so happy with our first collection together. Keep your eyes peeled for our next collaboration collection coming Spring 2022. 

Images 1 Pic ‘n’ Mix Buttons | Image 2 Buttercup Buttons| Image 3 Ice Cream Sorbet Buttons| Image 4 The Whole Collection

Best Sellers

Pink and red forever it seems! By FAR our best selling fabric was our pink and red cotton seersucker. The pink and red combo shows no signs of abating and this colour combo is looking to still be incredibly popular into 2022. We have a new pink and red fabric ready to bring out for 2022 we are pretty sure you’ll love! Our cotton ginghams also proved to be popular. Gingham is always a classic but its popularity exploded last year. We were able to source some gingham in fun, unusual colourways, I especially loved the battenberg-esque gingham.

When it comes to our buttons, Painterly tops the charts continuously. Painterly is such a versatile button and there’s not much it doesn’t pair beautifully with. Our surprise hit was our Nightshade buttons, I thought it was a bit of a gamble bringing out a black button but it’s such a lovely twist to a basic we did anyway. It was a good call!

Images 1 Painterly Buttons| Image 2 Battenberg Gingham| Image 3 Nightshade Buttons| Image 4 Pink and Red Seersucker

Opening a Fabric Retail Shop

As I’ve said Covid has really changed our business model. On a personal note, not being able to go back to China and see family has been incredibly difficult for Yuhao. On a business one that meant sourcing fabric has pretty much completely halted and the escalating shipping costs means our wholesale plans have to change due to the increased price point. In our original business plan we were ideally meant to visit China twice a year on sourcing trips. We wanted a business that allowed Yuhao (and Olimi) a chance to spend more time around family and flexibility when it came to taking long, frequent breaks. Which at the time was a pretty good plan! Now, not so much.

We still want to be closer to family and right now that means something completely different. We have a warehouse full and access to amazing fabric so retail is a part of the business we opened last year and this year will really lean into. This year we are also welcoming my mum to the team and while what’s happening next is for another blog, we are really hopeful and excited.

Images 1 Front Page| Image 2 Fabric Section| Image 3 Me (Megan) at the K&S Show| Image 4 YuHao at Studio

The Knitting and Stitching Show

What a massive highlight of the year!!! Exhibiting at The Knitting and Stitching show was not even remotely in our plans. Not just for this year but ever. Since the beginning of the year we had been anticipating attending the CHSI Stitches trade show. Originally scheduled for February, the date kept being pushed further and further back until it was cancelled for the year entirely in September. Around that time we were seeing more advertising for the K&S show and thought we might as well participate since we wanted to take part in a show this year. I cannot say how wonderful it was to meet customers, talk to makers again and just to spend whole days surrounded by other small craft businesses! Becoming an exhibitor was one of our best decisions ever and I really hope to participate in more shows in the future.

Cut One Pair X Pigeon Wishes

Our second collaboration of the year and our second ever. I have long admired Jenny and Louise’s style and creativity. They have such a distinct point of view and I knew that would translate beautifully into buttons. I wasn’t wrong. It was wonderful seeing them open their shop and doing an instagram challenge with them. And yes! There is plans for another collection!

Image 1 Cut One Pair Buttons| Image 2 Product Backing design| Image 3 Hearteyes Button| Image 4 Stardust Button

Yuhao Working for the Business Full Time

By the end of 2020 we realised that it was time to make the leap. Yuhao was working full time and working on Pigeon Wishes whenever he could and I was spending the majority of my time looking after Olimi and working on Pigeon Wishes whenever I could. It was chaotic, sometimes unproductive but necessary when starting a small, bootstrap business. Luckily we were doing well enough that the situation was completely unsustainable and the only way to grow the business further was to have a full time worker. YuHao handed in his notice in October 2020 and by January 2021 we had to rely on Pigeon Wishes to be our sole source of income! Scary! I handle our social media so people mostly know me (Megan) however Yuhao is the true backbone of the business. The business wouldn’t be possible without him and I’m so thankful we can be part of this together. He’s camera shy and a bit conscious of his English (since it’s his second language) but I’m working on getting him to show his face on the socials more.

We Are Still Here!!!!

We are beyond grateful to still be open and running. Every single purchase, recommendation, mention and word of encouragement is greatly appreciated and keeps us running. Being able to add to our team has also been a highlight and blessing! Having Marie (Marie_StitchedUp) write our monthly newsletter, keep blog posts steadily come out when I’m busy and just having someone to bounce ideas off has helped shape what we’ve offered this year. No business can survive and expand without continuous support so a big thank you to everyone who has extended theirs.

The Future 

That’s still a little up in the air! We’re still a relatively new business and even now every month comes with uncertainty. Ultimately we want to create products people love, use and inspire them to sew. 2022 holds new products, new button collections, new fabric and new collaborations! 

Happy New Year and best wishes!

Megan

23 Nov
Buttons

Isla Trench Coat, Named Patterns | Pigeon Wishes Buttons

by Anna Kaminska of Anna Tries to Sew

Like all good love stories, this one started with the details… I have been obsessed with Meg’s buttons from the moment they became available for sale. I am pretty sure that I have snatched some in every single button drop and I always have a very hard time restraining myself. And this whole story started with Meg’s buttons too.

I had this vague idea that it would be cool to make a trench coat – a challenging make to push me out of my comfort zone. I had been looking for a trench in the shops, but nothing really spoke to me as even the pricier ones (around £200) were not flawless. Then one day in October, as I was scrolling on Instagram to procrastinate from work, I came across some Pigeon Wishes buttons again and I just KNEW that I needed to make a trench coat with Meg’s buttons. That started a flurry of looking through patterns online and looking for the perfect one that is worth the effort. Finally, I reached out to Meg to ask if she had some similar buttons in 2 different sizes (large and medium) as that’s what the pattern asked. Alas, she did not have the Ocean Leopard buttons (my all-time faves!), but she offered to show me some other ones. When she showed me these – I just fell in love! (Side note: I mean, I fall in love with all those buttons… but these were just so perfect). I love that they are transparent in some places, I love the irregular shape which reminds me of pebbles at the Stonehaven beach and the colour is just gorgeous. Before I even got the chance to ask how I could get them (they weren’t on sale yet), Meg offered to send them to me. I was over the moon and the crazy planning commenced!

First of all, I knew that I wanted a semi-classic trench. I wanted all the details of a classic trench (the cape, the neck fastening, double breasted, belted…) but I also wanted some drama. Named Patterns Isla trench brings just that with its extra length and beautiful construction details. I ended up ordering some cotton twill from the New Craft House and viscose twill lining from Selvedge and Bolts (by the way, the name of the lining fabric is ‘As I Mentioned Earlier, I Am Luxurious’ and, oh my god, that’s such an accurate name!). When both fabrics and the buttons arrived, I actually squealed from excitement – I was just so happy with how all the materials went together. I quickly pre-washed the fabrics, printed and assembled the PDF pattern (lol, almost 100 pages…), I even cut the pieces out! …and then life kicked in… Whoever works in academia will know that November and December are just marking, marking, marking.

I finally had the time to get started with sewing at the end of January. Slowly, over 2 weeks or so, I put together the Isla trench coat. Sewing it was such a pleasant experience. I did not use to be the biggest fan of involved projects, but lately I’ve been really craving the escape of sewing, and Isla did just that for me. Most of the seams were overlocked, sewn, pressed, then top-stitched twice. So, you can imagine how long each seam actually took. But I really enjoyed the process. I enjoyed seeing the pile of pattern pieces become smaller, and the ‘amount of trench coat’ on the hanger becoming more substantial at the end of each day. The most difficult part for me to sew was the vent. It was only my second one, and the first lined one. I think I had to rip the stitches 4 times before I finally decided that it will be good enough and no one actually cares about it apart from me. As usual, it turns out that I don’t care either, it’s not like I can see the inside of my vent when I’m wearing it…

When it finally came time to sew on the buttons, I decided that these ones deserved to be sewn on by hand (yes, all 16 of them…). It was the only fitting way to end such a lovely project. It was my first time creating a thread shank, but I think it went well as the instructions in the pattern were great.

It’s now been 2 months since I made the trench coat and I’ve worn it lots. It’s the perfect piece for my spring wardrobe (and to be honest all year round in Scotland…). As the second semester is winding down (marking hell again!), I have finally had time to write about it. I can honestly say that I could not be happier with how this trench came out. It all started and ended with these stunning buttons. They really make me smile every time I wear the trench. I think it’s so cool that they are lighter than the fabric and that you can see the rusty brown colour peeking through. And even if I move away from Aberdeen someday, these buttons will always remind me of pebbles on the Stonehaven beach, bringing back beautiful memories.

Folklore buttons
26 Sep
Buttons

Button Mood Board | Pigeon Wishes, Halloween 2021

Written by Megan Valero

 

Hello Stitchers,

It’s almost the most magical time of the year! SO, I thought it might be nice to do something a bit different when it comes to our newest, most magical, button collection. Our Halloween collection will be available to buy on the 1st October and here’s a bit of a sneak peek.

I usually only show the finished button but recently I’ve really enjoyed seeing the behind the scenes of other indie businesses like the new Selkie Patterns Video and Charlotte Emma Patterns videos. We wanted to show our inspiration and who doesn’t love a mood board? You’ll get to know exactly where each name inspiration comes from and get a feel for the overall look.

Mystic Meg

Most people from the UK, from a certain *ahem* generation will recognise the inspiration for this button.

I loved Mystic Meg as a child and yes, having the same name helped, however it was mostly because of her style, presence and apparent attunement with the otherworld. She gave me my first glimpse into that subculture, there was no internet after all and all the 90’s Witch films hadn’t been released yet. Mystic Meg appeared during the lottery and it was family tradition to watch the lottery every week to check our ticket. Sadly we never did win the lottery! But I did get my first taste of astrology, not exactly a million pounds but……..something? lol

 

Nightshade

Black doesn’t always have to be basic and every forest/hedge witch knows Deadly Nightshade is a pantry essential.

The main inspiration for this button actually comes from The Nightmare Before Christmas. When the character Sally picks some of the plant to slip into her creators/enslavers soup, to comatose him for a while so she can slip out and escape. The whole scene of her going to collect the plant, knowing its properties and brewing a soup is mesmerising. I personally would love to know more about botanical herbs (not to poison people lol) and have heard amazing reviews about the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.


 

Folklore

Dried flowers seem to have exploded over the past few years, not complaining! I prefer a dried flower bouquet that seemingly stays good forever than looking at fresh flowers slowly, and sometimes not so slowly, wilting and dying. Dried flowers are a Witch’s kitchen staple and, sans having children on the menu, a witches kitchen is a place filled with strange plants and herbs ready to produce and bottle potions. 

 

Wicked 

I wept real tears when I saw Wicked in the theatre. No spoilers but I went into the musical knowing a few of the songs and left needing a warm drink and a few hours to process my emotions. Elphaba is the ultimate Witch, finding her power and voice and using it to be true to herself. YAS WITCH. Cue me listening to the Wicked Soundtrack and badly singing along to Defying Gravity until the end of October.

 

This is definitely the most sombre collection we have ever released, we wanted something different in terms of colour palette and feeling. In comparison to our Halloween collection from last year, this moodier and broodier collection come together really naturally and as a bit of a surprise since I’m usually the first person to drift towards a bright and bold colour! 

There’s only one button from last year’s collection that is being re released and that’s Witches Brew. Pink and green forever!

This collection marks a year of us releasing our buttons in collections and officially launching our button business. It’s been wonderful! Everyone says this but it’s still true, I never thought our button business would grow into what it is today and I’m truly grateful for all our consumers, the reception, the makes, the reviews. Thank you!

Happy stitching and happy soon-to-be spooky season,

Meg