Sunday, August 10, 2008

L'odeur de boutons

These are the vintage buttons I bought about 6 weeks ago. I finally got around to taking them out of their ziplock bag today. The reason it took so long is they have a serious stink on them. It is an old, musty, stale smell with a kick of something worse. I don't have a lot of experience with vintage buttons so maybe this is just how they smell. Today I washed all the loose ones and discarded the random nonbutton pieces I found in the bag. After I washed them the colors were so vibrant, but they are still stinky. If you have any advice please tell me! I am still trying to finish my school blouses, but I have been so distracted with organizing my home. There is not a nook or cranny that has been overlooked, everything now has its place. I am convinced the more organized I make our home will translate into an easier transition back to work. Well we will see how well it works soon enough.
Now I have those shirts to finish.

9 comments:

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

What a gorgeous button stash!! Perhpas you could try airing them. If that doesn't work you could try some baking soda - that is good for absorbing odours.

Astrid said...

I don't know what to do about the smell, but I sure wish I had such a wonderful pile of buttons! It sounds like you are good at organizing your home, so that you can focus on something else - that's a really nice skill! Happy sewing! :)

Liesl said...

Great buttons. What a treasure trove. Like A Spoonful of Sugar, I would try using bicarbornate of soda, which can be very effective at absorbing the most offensive of odours!

Lisa said...

What a beautiful collection of buttons! No idea on what to clean them with, but I would probably try airing them too.

Jessica said...

I completely support your theory that an organized home will help transition back to work. I'm slowly going around the house and organizing as well!!! We must think alike!

Katie said...

Wow - what a great button stash! I hope you can get the smell out so you can use them - will you let us know what works, I have some vintage buttons that need a good cleaning as well. Thanks!

LisaAnn said...

So baking soda it is... I will soak them and then air them out. It is fuuny, I like some of these button so much I've been planning projects around them.

Kate said...

Great button collection - hope the bicarb worked.

hannah m said...

LOVE the buttons! What fun!