Memory Button Pillow

How many of you have those hard to part with items sitting around your closets?

I seem to be a big culprit of this in my house. I always tell my kids to get rid of things they’re not using, but it can be hard to do that with sentimental items.

For instance, all of my sewing paraphernalia can be a big clutter problem. Especially since some of it is from my mom and my aunt who both sewed, I can’t just give it away!! Now you see my dilemma.

One solution I came up with is to use it in a meaningful way so that I can display it and appreciate it instead of hiding it in a box.

I have a super button collection that I’ve accumulated over the years that I use and also give away. I didn’t want the extra special ones from my mom and aunt getting lost in the shuffle so I made a display pillow.

1. First I picked out the really important buttons that had meaning behind them; my uncles navy buttons from his peacoat, the buttons off my mom's coat when I was little, and even a couch button from when my mom reupholstered it.

2. Next I found the perfect material that looked a bit vintage, but wouldn’t clash with all the different colors and styles.

3. I embroidered “Family” in a nice brown. If you don’t have an embroidery machine, you could stencil it with fabric paint or even buy iron-on letters from a craft store. I have used the ones from Walmart with no issue.

4. I sewed around the edges with the right sides together, turned it right side out and stuffed it.

5. Finally I sewed the buttons in random places where I thought they’d look good.

Now I have a nice pillow to display on my shelf instead of having the buttons getting lost in my sewing stash and I love it!!