Cat's Eye Button

Definition and Overview

A cat's eye button is a button with a bar-like divider or raised section in the center of the front surface, with holes on both sides. Seen from the front, the two narrow holes look like a cat's eyes, which is why it is called this. It is a shape often used for shirts and cardigans.

“Cat's eye” does not refer to the button's material name, but to the shape and design around the holes. Even with the same cat's eye shape, the gloss, thickness, strength, and handling precautions differ depending on the material, such as resin, shell, buffalo horn, or wood.

Material and Hole/Shank Structure

A typical cat's eye button is a flat button sewn directly onto the textile by threading through the two holes on either side of the central divider. Because the hole spacing is easy to maintain and the thread does not gather too much at the center, it has the feature of making it easy to create a neat stitch on the surface.

However, cat's eye describes the appearance of the holes and does not indicate whether the button has a shank. Since there are also specifications with a shank on the back or with different hole recess shapes, when placing an order, confirm not only the front side but also the number of holes, back shape, and thickness.

• Two-hole button: a common shape with thread passed through two separate holes.
• Raccoon-hole button: refers to a shape in which the center of the hole appears connected, and the hole division differs from a cat's eye.
• Shank button: a button attached by passing thread through a shank on the back; its structure differs from a front-hole type like a cat's eye.

How Size Is Expressed

Button size is shown by diameter in mm, and may also be expressed in lignes. Lignes are a unit used for button size, and in specifications, standardizing whether to use ligne notation or mm notation helps prevent misunderstandings when arranging accessories.

For cat's eye buttons, not only the outer diameter but also the thickness, hole length and width, and the width of the center divider between the holes affect sewability. When replacing an existing item or producing additional quantities, confirm the combination with the buttonhole length, textile thickness, and sewing thread thickness.

Main Uses and How to Attach

Cat's eye buttons are used for shirts, blouses, cardigans, knitwear, pajamas, and workwear-style shirts. While understated in appearance, the center divider serves as an accent, making this a design that also suits natural-material looks and casual items.

When sewing them on, thread is passed back and forth through the two holes to secure the button. If it is pressed too tightly against the textile, it becomes harder to catch in the buttonhole, so in thick fabrics or areas with overlapping plackets, a slight thread shank is added as needed and the base is wrapped to reinforce strength.

Handling and Selection Precautions

Resistance to washing, dry cleaning, and ironing is determined not by the cat's eye shape but by the material and surface finish. It is important to compare the product's care label with the button maker's handling conditions, and before mass production, carry out washing tests and appearance checks in combination with the textile.

Shell and natural materials may have color variation or chipping due to the nature of the material, while resin may discolor, change gloss, or crack depending on heat, chemicals, and friction. Do not apply the iron directly and strongly to the button; confirm the temperature and whether a pressing cloth is necessary for each material.

Frequently Asked Questions