Peter Parry wrote in
:


As has been suggested - spacers for use by a tailor sewing buttons on
to trousers and suits. Placing one of these between button and
fabric gives you a degree of stand-off which makes the button easier
to fasten.

Any idea where they come from?

I'm afraid I don't quite believe this - I've always used a matchstick, and
it's so much more convenient in use than thes would be I'd think tailors
would have a precision reusable matchstick.

Of course I'm open to be proved wrong- I'd certainly like to know the
answer

mike