I love people with obsessions, it makes me feel like mine are more normal. One of my recently rediscovered obsessions is of the sewing variety, which happily marries with my longest running life obsession - textiles. Now that I am back on board (and behind the sewing machine) I am always on the look out for places to find unique fabrics, patterns and buttons.

Buttonmania, located in the former ballroom of the historic Nicholas Building (Melbourne), is an absolute gem. Founded by dressmaker Kate Boulton in 1995 the business sells buttons - hundreds and hundreds of them from every era and every style, colour and shape you can possibly imagine. Somehow they keep track of all the buttons they have - I have been in there with the most random button requests and, with only a moments pause the button type in question has been located.

The vintage collection is amazing - so much so, that the owner Kate has now started a museum collection. Buttonmaina also offers a button covering service done on an almost hundred year old machine and, having recently had some made, I can vouch they turn out beautifully.

If you would like to check out Buttonmania head to level 2, 37 Swanston Street, city. Phone: 9650 3627.

Note - Buttonmania do have a website (http://www.buttonmania.com.au/) but it is currently down.