A few weeks ago, I heard about a Madonna, made of buttons, in a church in Little Falls, Mn. Since I've been sewing "button art" lately, it seemed like something I'd be interested in--but WOW! The Madonna is delightful, and the story is even better...
It was made by fifty-three 3rd and 4th grade students in 1951-1952. Their teacher, Sr Elvan Drayna, used the Madonna as a "unique motivational learning project" for those kids. If they finished their work or were especially good, they'd get to go sew a button or two. But first, they had to collect the buttons--the prettiest buttons came from all over as parents, relatives, friends and neighbors got involved.
Yesterday, I stopped by Our Lady of Lourdes to see for myself. It's hanging on the south wall in the basement...probably 8 feet by 4 feet or so? It's protected by glass, so photos have a reflection, but still...just look at the lovely (and kind of familiar) variety of buttons. (Click the pics).
Here's the class who created the Madonna--they would have been born around 1942 or so and would be in their 70s now. Do you recognize any of them?
Thanks, John! 😊
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