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About Us

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Company Overview

The Button Emporium started as a mail order catalog business specializing in artist buttons in sterling silver, pewter and porcelain. When we participated in shows and conventions, so many requests for a store poured in, that we took the plunge December, 1996 opening our downtown Portland storefront in March, 1997.

By August the emporium had quickly outgrown its store space so we acquired the adjoining storefront. We now have room for a retail showroom and classes we hold for various hand crafting specialties. Information on classes available will be found in this site as they are scheduled.

Buttons

We literally have thousands of buttons to choose from in our emporium. Whether you are doing heirloom sewing, period costume recreation, pillows tucked with a button, embroidery enhanced with buttons, designer sewing, or wish to give fine clothing that extra fine touch, the button you are looking for will most likely be found in our emporium. We have over 150 shapes and styles of mother of pearl buttons alone.

Heirloom Sewing And Smocking

Books, magazines, patterns. We carry Imperial Batiste for the smockers, Amanda Jane pleaters, and smocking plates. For heirloom sewing we have several different fine batistes, French laces, Swiss embroideries, #80 all cotton thread and fine handsewing needles. We have several turn of the century pieces of clothing including a couple of christening gowns from England circa 1890, and vintage wedding dresses. We use these garments for inspiration and as a learning tool to show our customers how the garments were made without the benefit of sergers and computer sewing machines. Of course, we have vintage and replicas of vintage buttons to compliment all of your heirloom sewing projects.

Ribbon And trim

We have beautiful jacquards and wired ribbons from France; Mokuba and Midori ribbons from Japan; Hannah silks (bias cut luscious hand dyed ribbons). We carry an extraordinary 19" wide sheer ribbon that is wonderful for the wrapping on a special package, as a table runner, window swag, or a pouf around a clear glass vase.

Embroidery Threads And Ribbons

YLI and Madeira silk embroidery threads, DMC rayon, DMC floche, Thread Gatherer overdyed silk ribbons and chenille, petals overdyed silk ribbon, YLI silk ribbon, and some Brazilian embroidery threads.

Silk Fabric

Silk fabric for dyeing from Exotic silks. These are beautiful used as they are or dyed.

Patterns

Heirloom patterns and a number of wonderful baby and young children's patterns. We love the comfortable, easy fitting, and interesting women's patterns by Lois Ericson, L.J.Designs, Nancy Mirman, Pavelka, Rag Merchant, and Akasha Clothing.

Catalog

Sorry, we are not offering a printed catalog. If you are looking for a particular item, contact us and include as much information as possible. We will research your request and let you know the results.

Classes Scheduled

Please check back for upcoming class scedules.
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