Weekend Workshop - Dorset Buttons

Organised by : Resourceful Community Scrapstore

The first examples of these handmade buttons appeared in Shaftsbury, East Dorset in the late 16th century. Their popularity died overnight following the invention of a new button machine, showcased at the Great Exhibition of 1851, leaving the cottage industry - which employed over 4000 people - destitute. Many emigrated to escape poverty and starvation and the art of hand button making was all but lost in the UK.

Sue, who will be guiding us through the stages of making our own Dorset Buttons, says, "These handcrafted buttons are my attempt to help revive this ancient art with a modern twist, using new and interesting yarns and materials."

Your finished creations can of course be used as buttons, but you can also use them in other ways, such as turning them into jewellery, adding them to a bag as a decoration, or attaching them to a keyring.

We'll provide all the materials and tools you need, and we'll give you hot drinks and biscuits to sustain you while you craft.

£15 for non-members and £12.50 for members (you'll need your membership number to book the reduced rate.)

This session is aimed at adults and accompanied older children (12+)