butonai

Butonai is the Lithuanian word for buttons, the small fasteners used to join two pieces of fabric or other materials. The word butonai is the plural form of butonas. In everyday use, butonai refers to clothing buttons but can also describe fasteners on upholstery, bags, and crafts. The term is a loanword from Western European languages, most likely from the French bouton, and has been established in Lithuanian since the early modern period.

Buttons come in numerous shapes, sizes, and materials. Common forms include sew-on buttons with holes, sew-through buttons, and shank buttons. They are produced in materials such as plastic (acrylic, polyester), natural shell (mother of pearl), metal, wood, bone, glass, ceramic, and fabric-covered variants. Some buttons are decorative only, while others provide fastening.

In use, buttons are typically attached by thread that passes through holes or secures the shank. Buttonholes are cut into the opposing fabric to create a closure. Manufacturing has evolved from hand-sewn or carved buttons to mass-produced items using plastic molding, stamping of metal or shell, and, more recently, recycled materials and 3D-printed designs.

Cultural and economic aspects: Buttons have long served practical functions in apparel and textiles and also function as fashion elements, insignia, and craft components. The button industry includes design, sourcing of materials, and the production of fasteners for clothing, upholstery, and industrial uses.