For 140th’s Civilian Seminar – April 9, 2016

A Practical Look At Sewing Cases

Sewing at home

The paintings and prints we looked at are saved on this “140th NYVI Civilian Seminar – Paintings” Pinterest Board. The examples of sewing boxes, cases, baskets, tools, etc. can be found on this “140th NYVI Civilian Seminar – Examples” Pinterest Board

It is important to look at examples prior to 1860 because these are the sewing boxes we would have grown up with seeing our mothers and grandmothers use; these are those we would have used in our teens and twenties. We wouldn’t always have a brand new sewing box from the 1850s or 60s; we may have had a box from the 1830s that we have used for many years. In some instances, children had their own sewing cases.Boxes can be simple or quite ornate, or somewhere in between.

At home, some women would have a sewing stand, also known as a work table. This feels more like a piece of furniture for many of us in the twenty-first century. As sewing stand would have drawers or compartments for sewing tools and thread, while providing a work surface. It may also have a catch/bag for threads and scraps. One fairly well known sewing stand is called a “Martha Washington”. It is important to know that while this type of stand was an earlier, 1810-15 Federal style (therefore functional but not fashionable by the 1850s/60s) some were made in the 20th century as well. (Here is a Shaker sewing stand.)

Sewing on the go

While some of the sewing boxes above may be suitable for travel, many of us want something that will transport easier. This can include smaller boxes, baskets and other sewing cases. Manufactured/purchased sewing cases, aka etui took a variety of shapes, including this one that looks like a book when closed.

For our interpretive purposes, we have several options for mobile sewing:

Shaker boxes and baskets
Lidded baskets
Paper covered band boxes (they can also have pincushions on top.)
Work bags
Work pockets (housewife)
Homemade baskets, boxes, etc from directions in Godey’s, Peterson’s, etc

Making Your Own

Domestically made sewing cases were also known as work pockets and housewifes. They were both structured with pasteboard and soft to be folded or rolled. Some resembled books. Extant examples show they were made with leather, painted canvas, oiled silk, silks, cottons and wools. A work bag was also a good option. (Earlier example)

Filling Your Box

What you might want inside…..

Thread winder – Assorted thread winders – Assorted thread winders – Wood thread winders

Spools – original wood spools – Original wood spools – original MOP spools,

Scissors – Scissors at the MET – Tailor Shears –

Bodkin – It seems the basic style of a metal and bone bodkins go back centuries. – a copper alloy 1600 example – a 1600s example — A 1600s bodkin –

Awl/stiletto – Original bone stiletto – 3 stilettos (and other tools) from Historic New England –

Crochet hooks and Tambour Needles – Original tambour needle –

Tape Measures – It seems original tapes are silk, linen and wool. I see some that are hand inked and some that appear to be printed (purchased that way) – an assortment of original measures –

Thimbles – 19th century thimbles at the MET

Needles and what holds them – Original needle case – Original needle case – Lots of paper needle packets –

Small tin or pasteboard boxes – for pins, buttons, beads, what-not –

Wax and Waxers – Original MOP waxer, – Original silver waxer – later berry waxer –

Other sewing tools: Bell gauge for measuring needles –

Where to find reproduction sewing tools:

The Scarlet Scarab – Bone and horn tools including thread winders, stilettos, awls, bodkins, waxers.
Burnley & Trowbridge – Scissors, bone & wood thread winders, creasers, stilettos, etc.
WoodRecycler on Etsy – Wooden needle cases
MyGann on Etsy – Offers handcarved Bobbins (bodkins) , stilettos (some need to be sharpened) and crochet hooks.
Fashionable Frolick on Etsy – Sometimes offers hand inked tape measures. (I have
yet to see one in person.)
Several Etsy merchants offer reproduction pin cushions, including myself, Textile Reproductions (beautiful flame stitching), Talbott & Company (also small bandboxes),
The Needle Worker on Etsy – Carries handmade bandboxes for millinery. The smaller sizes could suit sewing needs.
Silent Stitches – Reproduction silver sewing accessories. (Most pieces appear to be sold out. Some have modern aspects.) The scissors page has some appropriate options. They also have a sewing bird, several needle cases and other useful accessories.
Shaker Workshops – Oval Shaker boxes (wood) including some already set up for sewing.
Hancock Shaker Village – Oval Shaker boxes.
Apple Jack Folk Toys on Etsy – Has band box kits (I just found this. I have no idea what the kit is like.)
There are some passable scissors at Joann’s
Crafts, Bits & Pieces in Fairport occasionally has vintage sewing tools