Buttons for lace-up doublets?

[Eric the Ugly]

In many pics over the years I've seen folks using these looped in button-like closures through the grommets of lace-up doublets and the like.

What are these things? What are they called? Where are folks getting them?

[DonaCatalina]

I've seen cord knotted on the back of metal buttons and used this way.
I've never seen anything that you could buy ready made.

[Merlin the Elder]

You aren't talking about a frog, are you Eric?

[Eric the Ugly]

You aren't talking about a frog, are you Eric?

No, sir.

Here's a pic of what I mean.

http://vstrick.smugmug.com/RenFaires/SWFF12/SWFF120211/i-7hwkdpB/0/O/SWFF120211-oSat-067.jpg

(apologies to Melkar, whose pic I've 'stolen' from THIS THREAD

[Eric the Ugly]

Maybe I'm crazy, but it often seems as if there's some elasticity to them. Oddly enough, I stumbled across some ponytail holders/hair ties that looked like what I imagined these may look like when not on a doublet.
Also odd is that I keep seeing folks using them on Pendragon doublets (which made me think maybe they sell them as their booths...I wouldn't know as I've only ordered online from them since they're not at GARF).

I've seen them so much I assumed someone somewhere was selling them, and/or the making of them has permeated the ren culture so much that everyone but me knew about them. 

[iain robb]

Ah, this calls to mind a discussion I had with someone who owns a Pendragon doublet. I believe they said Pendragon sews the buttons on for people who don't like the lace-ups.

[gem]

Forum member Cindy (I've gone momentarily stupid and can't remember her forum name) developed a simple technique for using ponytail elastic and decorative buttons to attach women's sleeves, which a lot of us have adopted:



These are just some ordinary shank buttons I bought at JoAnn, along with some *small* black ponytail elastics (like this; they come in packages like this). There are small lacing rings sewn on the underside of the bodice straps. You then loop the elastic through the lacing ring (using a lark's head knot to secure it), and pull the elastic loop over the buttons, which are sewn onto the sleeve.

You could easily do the same thing with a doublet opening, I'd think.

***
It's interesting what's common at the different fairs! I've never seen a doublet with buttons like that in these parts!

[Eric the Ugly]

Ah, this calls to mind a discussion I had with someone who owns a Pendragon doublet. I believe they said Pendragon sews the buttons on for people who don't like the lace-ups.

I wondered that as well, but seeing them on different doublets including ones that weren't 'off the rack' made me think there was something else going on.

Forum member Cindy (I've gone momentarily stupid and can't remember her forum name) developed a simple technique for using ponytail elastic and decorative buttons to attach women's sleeves, which a lot of us have adopted

Very interesting, considering the ponytail holders I've seen that I mentioned.

These are just some ordinary shank buttons I bought at JoAnn, along with some *small* black ponytail elastics (like this; they come in packages like this). There are small lacing rings sewn on the underside of the bodice straps. You then loop the elastic through the lacing ring (using a lark's head knot to secure it), and pull the elastic loop over the buttons, which are sewn onto the sleeve.

Thinking about your description, it certainly would seem likely that this is what's being done. I'll have to note your above description for later possible use.

It's interesting what's common at the different fairs! I've never seen a doublet with buttons like that in these parts!

Indeed. Neither have I at GARF. I must have more than a dozen pics saved in which someone is wearing a doublet with these things and I'd guesstimate that most of those are pics from TRF or Scarby.

[Lady Kett]

Ah, this calls to mind a discussion I had with someone who owns a Pendragon doublet. I believe they said Pendragon sews the buttons on for people who don't like the lace-ups.

They do! When Sidekick got his black leather doublet, it was all fastened with ties. Then it became popular locally to do the buttons with the elastic closures. Took the doublet back to the Pendragon shop and they replaced the ties with buttons and closures. Can't remember the cost but they did it promptly. Also not sure what the actual closure is but completely agree that the pony tail closures sure look, feel and act like the closures he's got on his doublet!

[iain robb]

That's right! That was what Lady Kett told me at FLARF last year, as we stood outside the gate waiting for the opening cannon.