Choosing Fabric and Sewing Buttons
You count on buttons every day. Yet, many people never give them a second thought. If you are creating a new project or need to replace one on your favourite garment, then you may have some questions.
What are some types of buttons?There are many different types, including:
- Flat – These options are the most common, and they can be two-hole or four-hole.
- Shank– These options have a shank on the backside for attachment.
- Stud – Sometimes called jean buttons, they have a pin-like stem on the backside that is used to attach them.
- Toggles- These choices often have a large hole for attaching them, and they are often used for decorative purposes on garments.
- Novelty- These choices usually have a fun novelty design as opposed to being round like most choices.
Yes, you can buy them made from many different materials, including:
- Plastic – One of the cheapest types of buttons. Polyester is one type.
- Wood – Made from various species, these buttons are often painted.
- Leather – These choices can be from a variety of leathers, like cow, camel, and bison.
- Metal – These options can be smooth, textured, hammered, or ridged, and they are sometimes fabric-covered.
- Pearl – These options are often dyed in a variety of colours for special occasion clothing.
- Shell – These options can be functional but they are often decorative.
- Glass – These options are often used for decorative purposes because of their ability to reflect light.
They are measured at their widest part in ligne, which is the French word for line. Each ligne is 0.635 millimetres. Forty lignes is 25 millimetres. Generally, buttonholes are 3 millimetres wider than the button used in them.
Are there any standard button sizes used in men’s button-down shirts?It is always best to measure the buttonhole to buy the right size, but there are some standard sizes often used on men’s shirts. The top one on most men’s shirts is usually 13 ligne, while those on the placket vary between 16 and 20 lignes. Those on cuffs are usually 15 lignes.
What sizes of buttons may be available?You can find many different sizes. Generally, buttons classified as extra-large measure 55-to-70 lignes, while those classified as large measure 45-to-55 lignes. Medium-size options measure 30-to-45 lignes, while small buttons measure between 20-and-30 lignes. Finally, tiny choices measure between 10-and-20 lignes.