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Pat Mahoney is the proprietress of Pat's Custom Buttons and Belts, a mail-order business out of Lodi, California. According to this fascinating article, "Mahoney began as a home-based dressmaker, but when Singer Sewing Co. discontinued its button and belt covering service in Lodi, she bought the associated equipment."
There's no website, so you either need to call or write to get a catalog. (How quaint!) I read about Pat in Threads magazine a while ago, and being desirous of some fancy custom-made fabric belts, I gave her a call. She was enormously sweet and nice to chat with, and she sent out a catalog on the double. (Note that there is a five dollar charge for a catalog.)
The catalog is, in a nutshell, a seamstress's dream. Just look at some of the fancy buttons you can have made!
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Pat's Custom Buttons and Belts
(209) 369-5410
537 York Street
P.O. Box 335
Lodi, CA 95241
(209) 369-5410
537 York Street
P.O. Box 335
Lodi, CA 95241
If you'd rather DIY, check back soon(ish) for a post on making your own self-fabric belt!
How practical! It's a bit far sending things to California from Sweden though, so maybe I'll try making my own belt sometime. Looking forward to the how-to! And the belt is just lovely!
ReplyDeleteBless you! I've been looking for some kind of "belt kit" in fabric stores, and not finding one. I've been putting off some projects because I haven't know what to do about the matching belt. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI've had luck finding belt kits on ebay -- i got a load of them when an older seamstress was selling her stash. I haven't tried them out yet and am looking forward to seeing your DIY belts and method!
ReplyDeleteYou should check out sugardale's blog. Her designs are 50's inspired with self-covered belts. Recently she posted on whether she could go into business custom covering belts. If you ever need another one maybe you could support a fellow sewing blogger!
ReplyDeletePost can be found here: http://sugardale.blogspot.com/2009/08/mail-order-belts.html
Thank you so much for sharing this information! That belt was well worth the $17.50. I can't wait for an excuse to use her service.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you got quite a deal at that price! It is lovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. I have saved it! And your belt is terrific!
ReplyDeleteThat belt is fabulous! I have several sources for self-covered buckle kits, but honestly, the work she does on those eyelets is worth $17.50!! I could never do such a nice job. It's a great deal!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great link, thanks so much for posting it!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Gertie!
ReplyDeleteI really love your blog - it's oh! so inspiring! I've been looking for those self-covering belt buckles, and wonder if you've got more info about the DIY? I've found them on ebay, but do you know of any suppliers elsewhere?
I have no words. You have just changed my vintage wardrobe life.
ReplyDeleteGertie: I've just ordered the catalog and I intend to use fabric covered buttons on my Starlet Suit Jacket. As always, you are a wealth of information.
ReplyDeleteI really love your blog - it's oh! so inspiring! I've been looking for those self-covering Wholesale Belts buckles, and wonder if you've got more info about the DIY? I've found them on sammydress
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info, Gerie. Just to let you know, I called today and she informed me the zip code is 95240.
ReplyDelete