Brief description

A small fastener, typically a flat disk, that secures two pieces of fabric together by sliding through a loop or a buttonhole.

Use / Function

• Primary use: Fastening clothing (shirts, coats, pants).
• Secondary uses: Decoration/Ornamentation.

Operating Principle

Mechanical interference. The button is larger than the hole it passes through. Once turned sideways to pass through the slit (buttonhole), it returns to a flat position and cannot be pulled back through easily.

How to create it

1. Shape: Cut a disk from bone, wood, or shell.
2. Drill: Drill 2 or 4 holes in the center for the thread.
3. Polish: Smooth the edges to prevent cutting the fabric or thread.

Materials needed

• Bone: Durable and easy to carve.
• Wood: Common but can rot if not treated.
• Shell: Mother of pearl, very durable and beautiful.
• Metal: Bronze, brass, etc.

Variants and improvements

• Shank Button: Has a loop on the back instead of holes through the center.
• Toggle: A bar shape instead of a disk, passed through a loop.

Limits and risks

• Loss: Threads can wear out, causing the button to fall off.
• Breaking: Brittle materials (shell, some bone) can crack under pressure.