Horn Fish Needle Case
Fish needle holders are commonly seen from the late 18th to mid 19th century. This one you will want to keep in the family and pass down to later generations. These are slightly larger than our other needle cases being about 4 1/4" (10 cm) long when the cap is screwed into place and will accommodate a needle over 2" (5 cm) long. $20.00 |
 |
Rosewood Fish Needle Case
Many types of fish needle holders are seen from the late 18th to mid 19th century. This one you will want to keep in the family and pass down to later generations. These are about 4" (10 cm) long when the cap is screwed into place and will accommodate a large needle of over 2" (5 cm) long. $20.00 |
 |
Rosewood Needle CaseThis elegant addition to your needlework basket is 4 1/4" long when the cap is screwed into place and will accommodate a needle over two inches long. $7.00 |
 |
Scalloped PinkersScalloped pinkers were used to cut decorative edges especially on women's flounces or sleeve ruffles in the second half of the 18th century. They were also used to make ruffled edges from the late 1840s to the late 1860s. These scalloped pinkers are copies from originals in a private collection. Always strike your pinker with a rawhide or plastic mallet, never steel. Place a soft wood block underneath. To sharpen use a ceramic slipstone or a fine diamond file. $40.00 |
 From top to bottom 1", 3/4", 5/8", and 1/2" scalloped pinkers with a sample of a 1" scalloped edge cut into book muslin. |
Pinkers were used to put decorative cuts and edges on garments from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Straight pinkers may also be used to cut even and equal buttonholes. This pinker is a careful reproduction of one at the Victoria And Albert Museum and illustrated in Janet Arnold's Queen Elizabeth's Wardrobe Unlock'd. Always strike your pinker with a rawhide or plastic mallet, never steel. Place a soft wood block underneath. To sharpen use a ceramic slipstone or a fine diamond file.
$40.00
Thimbles
Thimbles were often made of materials other than metal before the 20th century. These thimbles are made of black horn (at left), light brown horn (center), and rosewood (right). Please specify large, medium, or small. $5.00 Add Black Horn Thimble to Cart |
 |
HousewifeHousewives were used as sewing kits throughout the 18th and 19th centuries to hold sewing tools, thread, thimble, money, and jewelry. Usually owned by women, housewives were sometimes carried by soldiers, sailors, and single men to mend their own clothes. Our housewives are completely hand sewn of samples of beautiful 100% linen, wool, and cotton. Three pockets allow you to store your needlework tools or money with a wool pin cushion at the top. Although each one is individually made they measure approximately 4" by 10 1/2" and fold to 4" by 3". Since each is made by hand fabrics and sizes very. In The Proceedings of The Old Bailey, London of 1732 "We searched her, and found 7 Guineas, 5 s. and 6 d. and a Gold Ring in a Housewife in her Pocket". $20.00 |
 |
Stork Embroidery ScissorsEarly 19th century stork scissors in silver color. WMN 204 |
 |
Thread WindersIn the 18th century thread was sold in skeins like embroidery floss is today. For easy use thread would be wound onto a winder. A bit of beeswax rubbed into the loose end of thread will secure it to the winder. WNM 105 $5.00 Bone |
  |
|
WNK 106 $1.00 Plain Wood |
 |
Bone Double Pointed Knitting NeedlesBefore the 20th century fine knitting was done on steel wire but bone was the material of choice for coarse knitting. Bone needles are very smooth to work with, yet prevent the work from sliding off of them and they become even smoother with use. The 10" length works well for knitting Scottish Bonnets, no more stitches falling off the ends! Complete your authentic knitting kit with 100% wool knitting yarn. In The Proceedings of The Old Bailey, London of 1803, "JOHN THOMPSON, alias KELLY, was indicted for making an assault, on the King's highway, upon Mary Hurst, widow, on the 27th of May, putting her in fear, and taking from her person a set of knitting-needles, value 2s." Set of 5 10" long Needles $16.00 Please specify type: |
 |
Bone StilettoStilettos are used to force the weave of the fabric open to make an eyelet hole. Because the fabric is not cut, the eyelet is stronger and resists ripping. These bone stilettos are about 3" long. Thread buttons can also be made with these. Directions for making eyelets and thread buttons are included in The Lady's Guide to Plain Sewing Book I with an eyelet variation in Book II. A fancy carved ivory stiletto is on page 80 of Taunton, Nerylla, 1997, Antique Needlework Tools and Embroideries; Antique Collectors' Club Ltd. WNM 107 $4.00 plain |
 |
Bone BodkinBodkins are handy tools used to thread stays or the backs of breeches. These flat bodkins are of smooth bone and come in two sizes about 2 3/4" (at right) or 3 3/4" (center) long and about 1/8" (3 mm) thick at their widest. They are based on a silver one on page 15 of Taunton, Nerylla, 1997, Antique Needlework Tools and Embroideries; Antique Collectors' Club Ltd. In The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London of 1753 "I am wife to the prosecutor, and am a stay-maker, and live in Rosemary-lane; the prisoner worked for me, she left my house, I missed the stew pan, bodkin, and scissors". WNM 106 $5.00 Please specify type: |
 |
Ebony Lace BobbinsBobbin lace was used to trim shirt bosom ruffles, women's shifts, handkerchiefs, and caps. Usually today lace makers use 120/2 linen thread. Learn to make bobbin lace with Lessons in Bobbin Lacemaking. Style A WNM 109 (top) and $5 each - or Save and buy 12 for $50 either style. |
 |
Bone Lace BobbinsStyle A WNM 111 (top) and $5 each - or Save and buy 12 for $50 |
 |
Sewing NeedlesWe have several different types and sizes of sewing needles. Sharps are used for most fine sewing such as with linen thread in the 90/2 to 120/2 linen thread range. Add 5 Sharps Size 7 Needles to Cart Crewel needles are identical to sharps but have a larger eye and are therefore best for sewing with 16/2, 35/2, and 50/3 linen thread. Add Crewel Needles 2 Size 8 and 3 Size 4 to Cart Millinery needles similar to sharps but are longer for basting and pleating. Add Millinery Needles 2 Size 7 and 3 Size 3 to Cart Tapestry needles have a blunt tip and a large eye and are the best for making thread buttons and cross stitch. |
Button StickThese hardwood button sticks are used to make thread (Dorset) buttons for shirts and other undergarments. They are each hand crafted by our own craftsman in Illinois Territory out of walnut and maple. Directions for making thread buttons are included in The Lady's Guide to Plain Sewing Book 1. Linen thread 16/2 in white, half bleached, or unbleached work well to make thread buttons and you can use a blunt tapestry needle to make these. Button sticks also work as a stiletto for making strong eyelets. $3.00 |
 |
Waxers
Waxers were kept in sewing kits to wax thread so that the thread passes easily through the fabric. These mother of pearl waxers contain pure bee's wax, are about 7/8" (22 mm) across and about 3/8" (1 cm) thick. $10.00 |
 |
Bee's WaxBee's wax was used to wax and smooth the outside of linen thread so the thread does not fray as it is pulled through the fabric. Just hold the thread against the wax with your finger and pull the thread. Coat both sides and sew. Wax may also be used to initially hold thread on thread winders and to keep tops on containers. $0.50 |
 |
Knotting ShuttleKnotting shuttles are used to make knots in thread or cord to be used in embroidery or as trim for linens. Knotting was done in the 17th and 18th centuries whereas a slightly different process, tatting, was more common in the 19th century. This 4" bone shuttle has a center hole to secure your thread and is pleasingly smooth in your hand. See pages 66-67 or Taunton, Nerylla, 1997, Antique Needlework Tools and Embroideries; Antique Collectors' Club Ltd. For making tatting lace try white 90/2 linen thread. $7.00 |
 |
My First Tatting KitLearn to make lace edgings the way it was done in the 19th century with a tatting shuttle. Kit includes illustrated instructions, tatting shuttle, pearl cotton and history of tatting. This kit is intended for use by children but is often bought by adults to learn. $8.00 |
 |
Long Handle Wood Lucets |
|
Lucets are used to make strong cords for tying stays, breeches and shoes. Many threads may be used but we have found 16/2 linen thread makes strong cord. Lucets were made in many shapes, sizes and styles although long handled lucets seem to be more common later (1790s into the 19th century) and short handled lucets tend to be earlier. Directions for making lucet cord are included in The Lady's Guide to Plain Sewing Book II. This style lucet has a very smooth finish and is just over 4" (10 cm) long. |
 |
|
$10.00 Short handled lucets appear to be more common prior to about the 1790s. These cherry lucets are each hand crafted in Illinois Territory by our own craftsman. |
 |
Cotton BarrelBarrels like this were made to keep your thread clean. This barrel is made of bone, stands 1 3/4", with a removable lid for easy refilling. A similar cotton barrel may be found on page 44 of Taunton, Nerylla, 1997, Antique Needlework Tools and Embroideries; Antique Collectors' Club Ltd. $32.00 Temporarily out of stock |
 |
Emery BucketEmery is used to sharpen needles and clean rust from pins and needles. The bucket style is made of wood and cotton velveteen. It stands approximately 1 1/8" tall and is filled with polishing emery. WNM 102 $4.00 Temporarily out of stock |
 |
Emery CylinderThe emery cylinder may be used from each end. It is made of bone and cotton velveteen about 1 3/4" long. A similar emery may be seen in Taunton, Nerylla, 1997, Antique Needlework Tools and Embroideries; Antique Collectors' Club Ltd. See page, 80. WNM 103 $12.00 Temporarily out of stock |
 |
PinwheelThis is a bone, disc shaped pincushion finished with a silk ribbon and filled with wool. This pinwheel is about 1 1/2" diameter and 3/4" high. A ring can be attached to the silk ribbon to hang this from a chatelaine. A similar pinwheel is pictured in McConnel, Bridget, 1999, The Story of Antique Needlework Tools; Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. See page 126. WNM 100 $24.00 Temporarily out of stock |
 |
