Field Trip: Tender Buttons, NYC

We almost went right by it, my sisters and I, as we walked along 62nd Street in Manhattan on a humid morning in July. Luckily, the golden button hanging above the storefront caught our attention and we found ourselves on the doorstep of Tender Buttons, a shop that's been beloved by button collectors and needle artists of all sorts for more than five decades. 
I first learned about Tender Buttons in the 1980s when I was working as an assistant copy editor at McCall's Needlework & Crafts magazine. Before each issue's photo shoot, the fashion editor would make the short trip from our office on 53rd Street to Tender Buttons to select the perfect buttons for the knit and crochet sweaters that would be featured. Back in the copy editing office, we made sure Tender Buttons, along with the yarn companies, was credited in the captions. After the issue was published, I was responsible for sending tear sheets to each credited vendor. Although I found the buttons that came out of…

Cross-Stitch Minis: Summer Stripes

Floss & Fleece: Summer Stripes cross-stitch chart

Floss & Fleece: Summer Stripes cross-stitch key

Big news! I've decided to make "Cross-Stitch Minis" a recurring feature here on the blog. I shared spring motifs in April, and sea-themed designs in May. (Please check out my previous posts if you missed them.) This month, I've collected four different summer stripe designs--sea and sun-colored horizontal stripes, black-and-white zigzags, a red and white op-art design, and a fun arrangement of tiny stripes in blue, green, aqua, gold, raspberry and grape.

I love making little cross-stitch projects like these. They're so quick and easy to stitch. They also make unique gifts if you mount them on brooch or pendant settings. The square settings shown below are my favorites. You can find them in all shapes and sizes at the Etsy shop Kailea

The key above includes the floss numbers for the colors I used (both DMC and Sullivans). Please use whatever colors you like--I'd love to see your creations. Leave a comment on this post or tag me on Instagram. As always, happy stitching!

Floss & Fleece: cross-stitch striped pin Floss & Fleece: cross-stitch op-art pin

Floss & Fleece: cross-stitch op art pin Floss & Fleece: cross-stitch striped pin