Casting - Stage 1 Laying - Stage 3 Rounding - Stage 4

The most popular Dorset Button This stage covers the outside of It is at this stage that the spokes This is as it sounds, as the made today is called the Dorset the ring and is worked using a are made. thread is wound around each 'Cartwheel' Button blanket stitch. spoke using a back stitch. Hold the ring with the front of the All other designs of Dorset Thread Start with a 19mm ring and around 3 button facing you and the thread at the With the thread at the back of the ring, Buttons using a ring and thread are top. Wind the thread down the back of bring it forward between two of the based on this technique. metres of thread and blunt needle. Secure the thread around the ring with the button and up round the front so spokes. Take the thread to the back of There are four stages to making a a single knot. Hold the short end the thread divides the ring in half. By the ring around the first spoke and Dorset ‘Cartwheel’ Button securely and work a blanket stitch over turning the ring slightly, wind the bring it up between the next two it. Continue with the blanket stitch until thread around the button, making spokes. Make certain that the thread is 1.Casting the ring is covered completely. Make certain it crosses the first thread at the kept on the outside towards the ring. 2.Slicking certain the stitches are kept very closely centre point of the front of ring. Do this over Continue to do this about five to six 3.Laying together. Finish by pulling the thread each spoke until through the first stitch if you can but do times until you have made between the ring is filled. 4.Rounding not force it. ten to twelve spokes. Once you have The length of the thread will depend on gained experience more spokes can the thickness and the size of the ring, be added. which you will be able to judge with Slicking - Stage 3 practice. If you do not have enough How to secure the spokes: thread, join after the casting stage. I With the thread at the back of the ring, Casting off tend to work with a thread long enough This stage is when you create bring it forward so it catches After completing the rounding stage cast to complete the slicking and laying neat a ridge on the outside and the last rounded spoke and off by running the thread to the centre of stages as you can join threads with a hence secures it in place. the back of the button so it does not show inside of the button. reef knot and work neatly into the button Make a cross-stitch so all the in the front. Cast-off with a couple of over at the rounding stage. stitches and cut thread. This ridge has to be worked to the spokes are held securely in the centre of the button. Do not worry if Happy button making middle of the back of the ring forming a Alternatively, leave enough thread to sew this is not exact as the first round of on at a later stage or to make a shank. I Anna McDowell nice neat finish and it cannot be seen rounding will help to centre it. tend not to use shanks. www.henrysbuttons.co.uk from the front. © Anna McDowell Email: [email protected] www.henrysbuttons.co.uk