This picture was posted on the Colonial Williamsburg Facebook Page.  The weird looking buttons in the left corner are actually button molds, made of bone or wood, and were used to make a variety of designs by wrapping threads in a certain pattern around the mold.  These were used in both men's and ladies clothing, but usually very fine garments, and can be purchased from Williamsburg, or you can get the supplies from William Booth to make them yourself.