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…

New Felt Colors from National Nonwovens


I'm always happy when National Nonwovens releases new WoolFelt colors, but I was extra excited when I received samples of their new "On Vacation" collection. The palette is just gorgeously beachy, and the colors work together perfectly. Although Caribbean Coral is my favorite (or is it Jaded Ocean? or Limelight?), I'll be using them all in future projects. I'll keep you posted on new and upcoming felt designs on the blog, so please come back and visit each week. In the meantime, you can try some of the WoolFelt designs available on the Printable Patterns page. Just click on the images below or on the Printable Patterns tab above. Happy Stitching!