Here's kind of a strange question for you; does anyone know of a source for button compasses that can actually be sewn on like a button? I've heard that was the original purpose. They were sewn on my airmen in the hope that they'd be over looked in a search so they could use them in an escape. Could be nice to have a compass stitched to your coat so you never have to worry about losing it or forgetting it.

I don't know if you could sew them on through the backing, but, I have Brunton zipper pull compasses on virtually all of my outdoor jackets, they are inexpensive, and they are always with me.

The Compass Store has small button compasses just over a 1/2" in diameter. If you attached some heavy-duty thread to the center of a piece of sturdy cloth, then cemented the cloth to the back of the compass, you could sew it onto your jacket.

(These compasses are only sold in lots of 12, for $50, but they may be available elsewhere separately)
http://www.thecompassstore.com/oemcompass.html

Sue