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Chinese frog

*** Shopping-Tip: Chinese frog
'''Chinese frogs''' (or ''frogs'') are knotted and looped buttons, closures, or embellisments usually made from cording_(sewing) cording or skinny tubes of fabric. The usual purpose of chinese frogs is to provide a closure for a garment while decorating it at the same time. Chinese frogs are usually used on garments that appear oriental in design. Tops with a mandarin collar often use chinese frogs at the shoulder and down the front to keep the two sections of the front closed. Frogs are usually meant to be a design detail that "stands out". Chinese frogs can be bought ready-made at sewing supply stores. However, many sewers make their own because supplies are inexpensive and the results are customizable. Using larger or smaller size cording or fabric tubes will result in larger and smaller ''frogs''. Also, self-fabric can be used to create frogs that are the same color as the garment, though frogs are usually chosen to be a contrasting color to that of the garment. Frogs are made by looping and interlocking the cording or fabric tube into the desired design, then securing the places where the cords touch by sewing hand-sewing. The frog is then stitched onto a garment, usually by hand. When a fabric tube is used, the fabric is cut on bias_(textile) bias. This allows the fabric tube to remain smooth and flex easily when bent into curves. Chinese frogs often appear to have similarities to celtic knotwork design styles.

See also
* Decorative_knotwork_in_East_Asia Decorative knotwork in East Asia * Celtic knotwork

References
*''Singer 101 Sewing Secrets'' by The Editors of Cy DeCosse Incorporated ISBN 0865732493 Category:Fasteners