Abstract: A machine for inserting quilting buttons of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,701,174 includes a male button drive mechanism and a female button drive mechanism in axial alignment with positive and rapid acting button feed means for very rapidly driving a female button part through a pad or the like and driving the male button part into the female button part so as to secure the quilting button in extension through such a pad. The invention is particularly directed to very rapid quilting operations.