Why Is Bottom Button Hole Sideways?

"Common shirt lore is that the last hole is sewn horizontally so that button and button-hole can endure more stress from pulling," Olberding says. ... The horizontal orientation of the bottom buttonhole gives the button leeway to shift about, preventing it from coming undone.

Why are buttonholes vertical?

Buttonhole Position

Vertical buttonholes allow for button play. This means if the button is not set exactly in the measured spot, there is room for the button to move up and down within the hole. The distance between center front and the finished edge of your garment is generally 5/8”.

Why is the bottom button hole a different color?

Traditionally, when shirts were still made by humans, this meant reinforcing the button and the buttonhole with a thicker thread, which was either done on a second sewing machine, or as a last step when finishing a job. Hence, the different thread and different color.