The Button Tin

When I was a child my Nana's house seemed to be full of the most wonderful treasures, not least of all Nana herself. She went into service in 1919 when she was 16 and her mother died in childbirth. She had worked since she was 13 though and helped her mother, as the oldest girl from as soon as she was able. Up until she went into hospital after a fall aged 90, she would remake the 3 beds in her house, even though only hers was used, every week. 2 sheets on top and 2 underneath, cotton in summer, flannelette in winter, just as she had been taught in service.
Nana taught me to sew, embroider, crochet and knit, as well as polish the brass. One of my greatest fascinations was her button tin, which seemed to be full of treasures to me.
These are her buttons I inherited. I love them still.