Your 2022 Dorset Button projects

How to make a Dorset Cartwheel Buttons

I have found that when searching the web for information on Dorset Buttons the wealth of information can be confusing.

When searching for free instructions on how to make the most popular of the Dorset Button range known as the Cartwheel button (also called the crosswheel button) the number of instructions that you can download  and videos to watch is overwhelming. Each turotal has a slightly different slant on how these button are constructed. 

Just to put the record straight, there are four stages to making a Cartwheel/Crosswheel button:

1. Casting - covering the ring with a blanket stitch 
2. Slicking - turning the 'rough' edge to either the back of the button (which I do myself) or to the centre
3. Laying - making the spokes
4. Rounding - filling in the spokes (working right up to the inner edge of the button leaving a bit of a gap)

These is no set standard for contemporary Dorset Buttons. All I can say is each individual should find the button that best suited their style.

Good luck and happy buttony
Anna

See images of original buttons

There are four different types of Dorset Buttons with many variations within each type.

​The first buttons were made with sheep’s horn, fabric and thread  and called High Tops and Dorset Knobs. Birdseyes and Mites used just fabric and thread 
 
Wire rings were introduced in the 1730s and two further types of buttons were added to the range:

Buttons made with wire, fabric and thread  were called Singletons.
Dorset thread button used wire and thread only and called Dorset Cartwheel and Blandford Crosswheel.