Today, I became a button sewing machine

[jpak]

Rainy shitty Labor day here in Maine.

Rummaging through the closet for Fall clothes and realized I had half a dozen good L.L. Bean pants that were missing *the* button.

(whoever made those pants used cheapassed thread to sew the buttons on - and don't get me started on how LL Bean has let its clothing lines become cheapassed PsOS that unravel because they couldn't spend $0.02 on durable thread to sew their shit together )

So - I went and got me some buttons, needles and thread - watched a few You Tube videos and off I went.

Got 6 pairs of new pants - cost me $4.

Motherf**king new buttons are NOT coming off.

Hooray for me!

Now, off to blanch and freeze some carrots...

[CountAllVotes]

1. L.L. Bean is not what they used to be

They can't sew on buttons with good thread nor match up the plaids on a pricey shirt, etc.

I'm so disgusted by them and their hefty prices these days.

Another I cannot afford it place it has become for me.

Good job fixing your clothes up and the deal you found on some new/old items!

[jpak]

3. Their pricey Polo Shirts all fail the same way

They develop a hole at the bottom of the buttoned collar.

The ends of the sleeves have thread that unravels - and they fall or rip off.

The bottom hem becomes frayed.

The new return policy sucks.

That said - I have Bean flannel shirts, wool jackets, rucksacks and tents that look as new as the day I bought them - in the '70's

LL must be rolling in the grave....

[AllaN01Bear]

18. aa lot of things arnt what they used to be.

[virgogal]

27. They certainly aren't. I had to return three items---wool socks, a coat,and

a shirt, all for inferior fabric. They used to be so reliable,sad.

[CountAllVotes]

28. I still have a Pendleton Chief Joseph blanket

I bought it from L.L. Bean in the late 80's for $100.00.

You do not see this fine Made in America quality anywhere these days.

Even Pendleton has gone straight to hell as well.

Brings back a lot of memories. My mother used to buy a solitary pair of wool slacks from them every 3 years. She wore them every day and yes, they lasted forever.

[fierywoman]

2. Isn't it just so satisfying to do something useful with your hands?

[jpak]

4. Yup!

[Hoyt]

5. Yep, I've got some Bean shorts like that. I use dental floss, never had a repaired button come off.

[jpak]

6. Never thought of that

New hack

[TeamPooka]

16. like that tip

[Harker]

17. ...and you're always minty fresh! n/t

[yonder]

21. Yep, dental floss works just fine. I've used it for years. Limited colors but who cares?

Function before form and it functions just fine.

[mgardener]

24. I have been using dental floss for years

It is great to repair stuffed animals and kids clothes

[Niagara]

7. Anytime that I purchase clothing that has buttons

I dab clear fingernail polish on the thread and button. Knock on wood, I've never had a button pop off.


Hooray, that's great that you got 6 pairs of new pants for $4.

[bucolic_frolic]

8. My beef doesn't involve LL Bean I don't think

but I am very very disappointed in athletic shoes with mesh nylon fabric that tears when they engage anything

I have a 2009 pair of Nikes with nylon fabric and vinyl uppers - sturdy, strong, durable shoe. THey're not made anymore

Same complaint about my 1999 Asics which lasted 14 years. Now they dissolve in 18 months.

They are cheapening everything we buy so that we'll buy more.

Have you noticed leather uppers sometimes means bonded paper-thin leather on fabric that peels in a few years?

Full grain cowhide is extinct.

Also Rockport. My 1993 Rockports have Vibram soles, with bonded rubber on the bottom that can be peeled and replaced. Or you can do a full rebuild and remove the thick Vibram sole and glue on a new one. Yes it's a $90 job, but it can be done.

New Rockports have molded soles. Can't replace 'em. Of course the shoes retail for $99, but can be bought anywhere for about $69.
So there is that saving.

All these shoes are still comfortable, durable to a point. But they ain't what they used to be.

Maybe LLBean has shoes too? Not familiar with their products.

[jpak]

9. Their signature Bean Boots are still solid

And Made in Maine.

Lots of other stuff.

Not so much

[Kali]

10. careful

had some crap pants and shorts that lost buttons, so like you I reattached PERMANENTLY - I used freaking carpet thread!

then the holes ripped out. real problem? I was erm, too fffffaa....I mean they had all shrunk in the laundry. yeah! that's it!

[KT2000]

12. I know!! I wish the laundry

would quit shrinking my clothes!!!

[jpak]

14. Fuckin' A

[KT2000]

11. I'm not sure what your feelings are

regarding LL Bean buttons.

Believe me - I do alterations and the expensive designer clothes are not quite as bad but they are not made well either.

[jpak]

13. My feelings?

Everything from Beans - Back in the Day - was bulletproof.

You could count on it.

Today - not so much...

[pansypoo53219]

15. $$$ ll bean too high. land's end forever now.

extra buttons that never get used.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

19. The problem is that the companies want to maximize profits

and so use the cheapest possible materials and labor. It's as simple as that.

[pnwmom]

20. Woo-hoo! You-tube is great for stuff like that.

But aren't they teaching how to sew buttons in school anymore? Geez.

[Hekate]

22. Oh yeah. For decades my rule has been that when one button comes off a blouse or shirt...

...I tighten all the rest of the buttons on it while I'm at it.

And no, they really do not make them like they used to. I used to get good-quality underwear and shirts for hubby at Costco, but over the past several years the good stuff has gone away. The latest batch of shirts is missing the front pocket.

[yonder]

23. Filson is another brand that isn't what it used to be, either.

I understand that there is only a few things still made in Seattle.

[Laffy Kat]

25. Repair don't replace! Good for you!! nt

[Srkdqltr]

26. I use what are called "bachelor" buttons.

They are the ones on jeans. They have 2 _pieces. You hammer them together. They will never come off.