This is compiled from the second installment of the VCA board’s Let’s Play School Thread, March 24, 2007, hosted by Me - Carrie, chicgeekgirl.

Buttons

Upstatefinds
http://www.welcome.to/buttoncollectors A good reference

suzyq2
Just a few words about old buttons. DON'T DRY CLEAN! Why? Well, many of them will MELT, crack or just fall off. Unless you have a really nice cleaner that will let you go thru the button box, they are gone. Especially those great plastic of any kind buttons. Even newer buttons are not guaranteed by a cleaner.

Mathomhouse
I found this out the hard way. I thought this 50s dress had 7 facet glass buttons. The dress needed to be dry cleaned so I set it aside. A month later I got a discount coupon from my drycleaners so I swooped up a few things & dropped them off never thinking about those buttons.

I got the load back and no buttons on that dress. My first thought was the cleaners took them off because they were glass so I called them up. Nope, they didn't take them off and I wondered, what the heck?

Two days later I was tagging the dresses when I found something very hard inside another dress. There were the remains of two button shanks mounted in a plastic disk sealed onto the fabric of the dress. If I would have pulled hard enough, I know I would have ripped a hole into the fabric before it would have come off. I took it back to the drycleaners and they ran it though again, which removed them.

Zippers

Ikwewe
Here is a succinct history of the zipper from Ask Andy About Clothes:

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/Teasers/Teasers/ZipperHistory.htm

I was looking the other day for when they found out how to make separating zippers for jackets, and I didn't find it. My recollection is late 30s, but then everything got suspended for WWII, so no zippers for the 42-45 or so period.

andapanda-rlf
Be real careful about dry cleaning those early 60's zippers. I once had a batch of Italian knits ruined by the cleaners because the zippers melted and curled.

You can tell older nylon zippers from those used today. Sometimes they have directions printed right on them.. "Don't iron"....etc. The older 60's zippers are not as streamlined looking as today's.

Ikwewe
Good point, Panda. We had one posted here just the other day that said "Iron like Nylon." I guess we were still ironing nylon in the early 60’s.

red3rose
Here's an easy peasy zipper fix for metal zippers where the pull has popped off of one side of the teeth.

1. Go down to ALMOST the very bottom of zipper (just a smidgeon up), on the outside of the garment, right where it enters the true seam.

2. Take scissors and clip a sideways slit, through the zipper teeth and as much of the ZIPPER fabric (not the garment fabric) as you can reach, on the unattached side.

3. Bring the zipper pull down to the bottom, and thread it back onto the side you just snipped.

4. Run the zipper pull up, closing the zipper, to make sure everything is centered. Sometimes you need to rethread and try again.

5. Whipstitch across the teeth, to make a new zipper stop, just above the snip you used to rethread the pull.

6. Use an applique type stitch or other invisible stitch you know to close the garment seam up over this repair (you shouldn't lose more than 1/2 inch of opening room from this).

Voila!

This is why I miss metal zippers, you can't fix plastic ones.

galetime
There was an invisible metal zipper patented in 1939 or 40. The first one I'd ever seen was on an old coin purse that I knew was from the 40's, but I've recently had a 40's mans suit with the invisible metal zip at the fly and a couple of dresses. The trousers had a patent date on the zip, which is how I tracked it down and it helped date the suit.

fashunfreek
Here is some info that I have saved in my files.

http://www.fabriclandwest.com/Notion_basics/MontlyNotionFeatures/Zippers/zippers.htm

And this:

Judson, Whitcomb L.
"Whitcomb L. Judson was an American engineer from Chicago, Illinois, who invented a metal zipper device with locking teeth in 1890. Judson patented his "clasp-locker'' on Aug. 29, 1893; later in 1893, he exhibited this new invention at the Chicago World's Fair. He never succeeded in marketing his new device. The zipper was improved by the Swedish-American engineer, Gideon Sundbach, and was named by the B.F. Goodrich company in 1923. Judson died in 1909, before his device became commonly used and well-known"

Taken from here:

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/history/us/enc/j.shtml

chicgeekgirl
These are just some of the basics that I stole from our resource thread. I've changed a few things to make it more precise.

* Metal zippers were incorporated into garments in the 1930's and were used up until the 60's. In homemade dresses, metal zips were used for quite a while after the manufactuers stopped using them (sometimes even in the 70's, 80's, and now, but much less frequently).

*Side zippers were predominantly 40’s in to the early 50's, and although more rare they were used in the late 50's early 60's.

* Plastic zippers indicate origin after 1960 or replacement of orig. zipper

wyogems
Something I learned a couple of years ago Lee jeans/gripper zipper = ca ching...Sold a pair for $$$$...doubt if they would bring that now however.

ikwewe
From fundinguniverse.com, about the history of the Lee Apparel Company:
Work clothes with sliding fasteners were introduced in 1926.

I just pasted this Talon info into another thread, it's from talonzips.com. You can link from there to talonzipper.com where there is a section on vintage zippers.

Talon is the worlds original zipper company founded in 1893. Talon was the inventor of the zipper and went on to pioneer many of the innovations common in zippers today. Talon is a high quality zipper that delivers superior service and value. Talon became part of the Tag-It Pacific family in 2001 since then, the brand has expanded its manufacturing and distribution profile throughout Mexico, Central America and Asia.

angiet410
I was zipping up a dress and the fabric got caught in the zipper. I've tried everything and can't get it out--it's not in the teeth, just the zipper itself. When I slide it up and down it will NOT come out.

Does anyone have a trick to getting this unstuck? I feel stupid for asking, but I can't fix it!

usmcmars
I really don't know if there is an actual solution. I just gently pull the fabric til it comes out.

pinupdresses
is it a metal or plastic zipper?

angiet410
It's a plastic zipper, pinup..and I'm still fighting with it!

pinupdresses
Someone gave a hint earlier but it was for metal zippers. Sorry!

Here is what ehow dot says:

Instructions
* STEP 1: Stop zipping as soon as you feel something is caught.
* STEP 2: Examine the zipper to locate the problem. The inner lining may be caught, so check the inside of the garment or sleeping bag.
* STEP 3: Gently pull the lining away from the zipper. Tug lightly if necessary. Pull at the lining, not at the zipper. Pulling the zipper tab up or down will worsen the problem.
* STEP 4: If any teeth became separated as you removed the lining, push them back into place.
* STEP 5: Run your fingers along the length of the zipper and push the lining away from the zipper to prevent future snags.
* STEP 6: Use a little force to pull the zipper to the bottom. Then rezip, making sure to avoid the lining as you go.

Overall Tips & Warnings
* If a missing tooth causes the zipper to get stuck, run the zipper quickly over the area of the missing tooth. The momentum will help the zipper stay on track.
* If the zipper is sticking because it's worn or old, rub a No. 2 pencil along the teeth. The graphite will smooth out the rough spots.

Here's more from there:
Fix a stuck zipper - If the zipper is stuck at the top, pull the 2 sides of the material at the top apart so that teeth are pulled through the body of the zipper. Then pull the zipper down at the same time, this should free the stuck or damaged teeth.You may need someone to help you if you are wearing it at the time!

I wouldn't have believed it! It worked! I used some Neosporin Lip Ointment to unstick a zipper (on my new jacket) that had been shut in a door, was hard to zip up, then split. Hubby had used some gentle FORCE to try and get it down/open. Boy was it stuck! I thought I had tried everything except dismantling the zipper. Thanks to you it is now apart! Now to get it back together and working.

angiet410
Thank you pinup! I'm definitely going to save that hint-because I'm sure I'll need it at some point.

I got the zipper, finally.

violette sunday
Rub a bar of soap across the teeth of the zipper & up into the zipper pull.
Get a pair of pliars. Lay the dress on a flat surface (table top). Use your hip (or another person's hand) to hold the bottom edge of the zipper taught, use one of your hands at the top of the zipper to hold it taught.
With the hand you write with, grasp the zipper pull w/ the pliers. Firmly work the zipper pull up and down until it gives way.

Buckles

ikwewe
I was prospecting around and found a neat site on the history of belt buckles:

http://www.2bhipbuckles.com/category/historyofbeltbuckles/

Rivets

ikwewe
Here's a blurb about rivets in denim pants from designboom.com:

A big problem with the miners' clothes were the pockets, which easily tore away from the jeans. Jacob Davis had the idea of using metal rivets (fasteners) to hold the pockets and the jeans together so that they wouldn't tear. Davis wanted to patent his idea, but he didn't have enough money, so in 1872, he wrote to Levi Strauss and offered Strauss a deal if Strauss would pay for the patent and Strauss accepted.

Snaps

mongerofpeace
a little snap history: The safety pin was followed by another American invention called the snap fastener. 3 Snaps were used primarily on theatrical costumes, especially where the costume had to be removed quickly between scenes of plays. The early snaps were not reliable nor rustproof, yet they still had mass appeal. An ad in the January 1898 "Ladies World for the Ball and Socket Fastener Co., Makers of Removable Fasteners of All Kinds," states:

"Hear it Snap - no hooks, no eyes, no buttons, no bother, sews on invisible, simple, practical. Endorsed by dressmakers, fastens easily and stays so, you hear it fasten, the blind can fasten it."

(from http://www.umw.edu/hisa/resources/Student%20Projects/Susan%20Deedrick%20--%20Velcro/students.umw.edu/_sdeed5pn/History.html)

ikwewe
From dugg.com about underwear, the bit about snaps is in bold:

Modern men's underwear was largely an invention of the 1930s. On January 19, 1935 Coppers inc sold the world's first briefs in Chicago, illinois. The company placed a Y-shaped front and overlapping fly on knitted drawers in both short and long styles. They dubbed the design the “Jockey” since it offered a degree of support that had previously only been available from the Jockstrap (the company itself would later adopt the name Jockey, as well). Jockey briefs proved so popular that over 30,000 pairs were sold within three months of their introduction.

Meanwhile, other companies began selling buttonless drawers fitted with an elastic waistband, the first true boxer shorts (named for their resemblance to the shorts worn by professional fighters). Scovil manufacturing also introduced the snap fasteners at this time, which became a popular addition to various kinds of undergarments.

During World War II, elastic waistbands and metal snaps gave way once again to button fasteners due to rubber and metal shortages. Undergarments were harder to find, as well, since soldiers abroad had priority to get them.

There is this little bit on snaps on western shirts from Rockmount.com:

ROCKMOUNT [founded in 1946 in Denver]is a 3 generation business started by Jack A. Weil, president, who works daily at age 99 100 101 102, 103 104 now 105! A true pioneer, he introduced the first western shirts with snaps and also made the first commercially produced bolo ties.

Jack A. was motivated to develop a distinctive look for cowboys, ranchers and farmers living in the American West. They had special boots and hats but wore ordinary work shirts. Jack A's special shirt styles have many features different from conventional shirts. His ROCKMOUNT shirts are slim fitting to accentuate the body, whereas conventional shirts were boxy. A better fitting shirt is less likely to get caught or snagged while riding the range. The shirt yokes broaden a man's shoulders. The flap pockets fasten to better hold their contents. The snap fasteners have a break away function to let loose if the shirt got caught, and hold more permanently than buttons. Can you imagine a cowboy who likes to sew? ....

The ROCKMOUNT signature design with diamond snaps and sawtooth pockets is considered to be the longest production style shirt in America.

kallen305
I have a Rockmount shirt and what drew me to it was the label (it's very cool looking) and the snap buttons which actually say gripper on them. It is true about the snug fit too.

You can also do an eBay search and some people sell them still in the packet if you ever need to buy some.

Hooks & Eyes

mongerofpeace
From this website: http://www.fabrics.net/joan101.asp
it says hooks and eyes have been around since at least 1830.

Safety Pins

ikwewe The specifics on safety pins from enchantedlearing.com:

The safety pin was invented by Walter Hunt in 1849. Hunt (1795-1859) patented the safety pin on April 10, 1849 (patent No. 6,281). Hunt's pin was made by twisting a length of wire. Hunt invented the safety pin in order to pay a debt of $15; he eventually sold the rights to his patent for $400.

Walter Hunt was a mechanic who lived in New York, New York; he developed many other inventions, including an early sewing machine, a new type of fountain pen, and a new knife sharpener.

Velcro

ljandherknight
Ohhh, that fabrics.net is an AWESOME site!! That is bookmarked for sure!! Does anybody have the goods on Velcro??

ikwewe
Here is their history from their website.

http://www.velcro.com/about/history.html

George de Mistral became intrigued with burrs after a walk with his dog one day in 1948, and ended up inventing the hook and loop fastener now known as Velcro, which is a trademark. He applied for the patent in 1951, and the first trademark in the database was registered in 1958.

There is even a video about the invention of Velcro:

http://one.revver.com/watch/118892

Here is a site from UMW (University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA) that has a brief note on safety pins, snap fasteners, zippers and VELCRO.

http://www.umw.edu/hisa/resources/Student%20Projects/Susan%20Deedrick%20--%20Velcro/students.umw.edu/_sdeed5pn/History.html