button maker

He was master who made buttons from fur, silk, silver or golden thread, and he also made braiding, strings and special soutaches. Buttons were usually tied to a wooden base, then the thread or braiding was put on it according to the desired pattern. Then the holes of this pattern were sewn with a needle and filled with thread or braiding of the same or different colour. Braiding or soutaches were sewn manually on a so-called saddle. The middle of round or square stings were filled with cotton, and this was braided around with silk, camel fur, golden and silver threads. Soutaches were braided manually and then stretched to the saddle. Complicated patterns were first made of cheap thread, then the ends of the threads were fixed to the edge of the saddle with wax seals. Button makers formed their first guild at Somorja in 1514. Decorated buttons, braiding and soutaches were part of lords' and soldiers' clothing, later they also spread to the clothing of the bourgeoisie and peasants.

TI