Interesting History of the Button

We sew them on without a second thought, yet these tiny fasteners have stitched their way through thousands of years of history. From ancient ornaments to high fashion statements, buttons have worn many hats — metaphorically, of course.

The button's legacy started over 5,000 years ago in the Indus Valley Civilization, where people carved small discs from seashells. Interestingly, these early buttons were not used to fasten anything. They were purely decorative — sewn onto fabric as status symbols or adornments.

It was not until the 13th century in Europe, especially in Germany, that the true magic happened: the buttonhole! This pairing revolutionized clothing. The garments could now be fitted to the body instead of being draped, tied, or belted. Functional fashion had finally met.

The Renaissance and the Button

As Europe marched into the Renaissance and beyond, buttons took a glamorous turn. Nobility wore buttons crafted from gold, silver, ivory, enamel, and gems. Some jackets were more button than fabric. Worn as fashion statement - not just fasteners.

Interestingly, buttons became so associated with status that sumptuary laws in countries like France and England restricted how many or what kinds of buttons commoners could wear.

Our Everyday Button

It is the Industrial Revolution, and suddenly, everyone wants buttons. New materials like bone, horn, wood, and later glass and plastic made mass production possible. Buttons became functional, affordable, and stylish all at once.

Military uniforms helped popularize metal buttons, often engraved with insignias — a trend that stuck around well into the 20th century.

Our Modern Buttons: Creative, Cute and Whimsical

Today, buttons come in every imaginable shape, size, and material — from vintage bakelite to laser-cut wood, from sleek minimalism to whimsical novelties shaped like cats, cupcakes, or cassette tapes.

Even with zippers, snaps, and Velcro exist, there is something deeply satisfying about sewing on a button. Maybe it is a tactile joy. Maybe it is the connection to centuries of makers before us.

The Button/Buttonholes Heritage

Whether you are a sewer, a collector, or someone who just loves the minute details in life, the button has a surprisingly rich story. It is proof that even the smallest things can hold the biggest history.

So next time a button pops off your coat or you are choosing the perfect set for a handmade blouse, give that tiny disk a moment of appreciation. It has been holding things together for millennia — just like you.

 Use the Buttonhole Buster to creat/sew a buttonhole in an impossible place!

Happy Sewing 

Sandy

The inventor of the Original Hump Jumper!!

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