Before machinery, buttons were sewn on by hand. This was laborious but it usually resulted in reliable button attachment because it was common practice to manually wrap and knot the main sewing threads at the end to completely secure the button.

When machinery became available however, it was not felt necessary to wrap the button neck after attaching because it was presumed that modern machines attach buttons reliably without the need for a secondary securing operation. In fact, whether you are using a chainstitch or a lockstitch button attaching machine the button is not always 100% secured. Even a lockstitch machine can be unreliable because the loop may not form correctly which may cause the threads to become undone, or the bobbin may run out of thread without the operator realising which will also cause future button loss. Therefore the only way to guarantee button security is by wrapping the main sewing threads multiple times to prevent them from unravelling.

Clothing brands realised the importance of button security after customers started complaining about loose buttons. Button wrapping quickly became a requirement and garment manufacturers needed a productive and cost effective solution. Many attempts have been made to find a better alternative to hand wrapping, the most significant of which are listed below.

Button Winding Machine by Charles J Sibbald, 1935 (USA)

Most likely the first of its kind was an invention by Charles J Sibbald in 1935. Sibbald’s design proposed that the button attaching and wrapping could be one combined operation whereby the free end of the thread is also used for winding. Although the concept led to inconsistent results it suggested ways to automate the wrapping process.

Button Winding Machine by S. W. Avis, 1945 (USA)

This was a complex machine developed by Reece Button Hole Machine Company, Boston. It used a needle which passed through the fabric forming a loop underneath before making its windings around the button neck with an up and down movement. At the end of the cycle the needle passes back under the fabric pulling and tying the thread loop and leaving all loose ends of the thread underneath the fabric. It aimed to prevent the windings piling up and also stop the thread fraying. The invention could also accommodate buttons of varying diameters.

Sewing Machine with Wrapping Attachment by PFAFF, 1981

PFAFF registered a patent for a sewing machine with an integrated attachment to wrap button shanks. It was capable of wrapping different length shanks, it also had an auto thread trimmer fitted. Another all-in-one attempt at attaching and wrapping the button but the end result was messy with button security still not guaranteed.

Elastomeric thread winding device by Andre J. Shaerer, 1991

This new approach to button wrapping used a different kind of wrapping thread with 500% elasticity. The elastomeric thread is wrapped whilst applying tension around the main sewing threads to achieve a strong and constant gripping force. The button stem is also kept to a minimal thickness due to the 0.2mm diameter thread becoming 0.04mm after stretching meaning no messy clumps of thread underneath the button.

Once the wrapping is complete the thread is pulled at a right angle beyond it’s yield point and the thread winding remains fixed due to the firm clamping, overlapping and twisting of the coils. The device was handheld and portable enabling it to be used wherever convenient, even during the quality control stage.

This elastomeric thread became widely known as ‘Ascolite’ after the Swiss company who developed it. Ascolite later added a revolutionary thermo-fusible outer layer to the thread so that when heat is applied the wrapped yarn bonds together and prevents button loss for the lifetime of the garment. Ascolite initially developed their own machine to wrap and heat the thread however these machines were cumbersome to use.

Automatic wrapping and heat sealing machine by Mason Small, 1997

In 1997 Mason Small, founder of MMS, designed the world’s first automatic heat sealing button wrapping machine called the MMS MK7. This was designed to be used with Ascolite thread and it became the most efficient and reliable button securing method at the time. MMS + Ascolite formed a partnership togetherMMS manufactured the machines and Ascolite produced the thread.

As Ascolite thread became more widespread around the world, MMS continued to develop the machines. The Mark 8 followed and then in 2006 the MMS Mark 10 machine was launched, a much more compact machine designed specifically for wrapping shirt buttons. The MMS Mark 11 machine followed which was a very reliable machine for wrapping a wide range of button types on shirts, jackets, pants, blouses and coats.

In 2014 Ascolite and MMS parted ways. Since then, MMS have continued to produce the world’s favourite button wrapping machines and now also produce their own heat sealing button wrapping thread. After over 30 years of design and development, MMS are now a world leading brand for button wrapping in the garment industry.