How to Make Decorative Frogs

How to Make Decorative Frogs

One of the easiest ways to dress up a cloak, spencer or other jacket is to replace the buttons with period appropriate "frog" closures. As you can see, these decorative braid fasteners are military in style, but add a certain dash to any item. They are easily customizable and, fortunately, easily created. The following instructions, by Mary Hunt, will have you started in no time.   Decorative frogs can be made of purchased cord or of self-fabric corded tubing. Pin the frog into the desired design, sucuring each loop with small stitches on the underside. Slipstitch the frog to the garment, leaving one loop extending beyond the garment edge for buttoning. Chinese ball buttons are commonly used with decorative frogs and can be made of the same cord. The size of the ball will depend on the thickness of the cord. About 8 to 10 inches of a 1/4" cord makes a small button.   a. Loop cord as shown. b. Loop again over and under first loop. c. Loop a third time, weaving through other two loops. Keep loops open while working. d. Ease together, shaping into a ball. Trim the ends and sew them flat to underside of ball, or leave them long and form the ends into a second frog style loop, as seen in this photo: The possibilities are endless. Enjoy creating your own designs. Have you seen our costume section at our online shop? Have a browse here.