Where does this come from, and can I check it?

The extra holes allow a cross or parallel thread that spreads the load. The figure is taken from Victoria and Albert Museum, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.

Is this really a everyday life fact?

Yes. It sits on the Everyday Life shelf, one of 2,600 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.

What else can I read about it?

The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.

Mondo Knows Facts

Four hole buttons let you choose the stitch pattern

The extra holes allow a cross or parallel thread that spreads the load A four hole button is sewn with either two parallel bars or an X, and the pattern spreads the strain across the button face so a single thread is less likely to tear free. Two hole buttons are cheaper and quicker to attach, so they appear where stress is light, such as on a shirt placket. The rim is usually bevelled to protect the thread from abrasion. It sits in Mondo's everyday life collection, one of 200 facts that each trace back to the reference below.

Where this comes from

Victoria and Albert Museum

Facts that can change over time are reviewed and updated. If something here looks wrong, Mondo would rather know than be confidently incorrect.

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An invisible zip hides its teeth behind the tapeThe coil sits on the reverse of the tape so only a seam shows when closed A hook and eye pulls a gap closedThe wire hook catches a fabric loop and pulls the two edges tight Buttons with buttonholes changed how clothes fittedFasteners that actually closed a garment appeared in thirteenth century Germany Two way zips carry a slider at each endTwo sliders meeting in the middle let a jacket open from top or hem YKK on zippers stands for a Japanese manufacturing companyThe world's largest zipper maker uses the initials of its founder's business Men's and women's shirts traditionally button on opposite sidesHistorical dressing customs created opposing button placement for men and women

Tags: clothing, sewing, buttons

Four hole buttons let you choose the stitch pattern: the short answers

Where does this come from, and can I check it?: The extra holes allow a cross or parallel thread that spreads the load. The figure is taken from Victoria and Albert Museum, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.
Is this really a everyday life fact?: Yes. It sits on the Everyday Life shelf, one of 2,600 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.
What else can I read about it?: The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.