Category: SEWING ITEMS

How about a change of subject matter! Here is an embroidered pin cushion which I made several years ago. It has a variety of threads, beads and ribbon and was fun to make. My friend Suzanne from Bendigo and I went into a craft shop there and saw one and were impressed with it. The lady didn’t have any instructions but took a photocopy of the actual cushion and we wrote notes around it and she got us all the threads etc. that we would need. Between us we managed to get it done. It represents a garden with lawn and paving and of course flowers. It was fun doing it together.

This needlecase is colourful and by the note inside it was made in the 1930’s.  It is nice to still have the note which is written in ink.  It was made in England as many in a similar style were done back then.

I made this needle holder many years ago.  I used homespun fabric and glued on pressed flowers from our garden then covered it with fine netting.  It made a quite pretty object and the flowers have kept their colour which is good.

I have several of these small tape measures in my Sewing related items collection.

Some are souvenir items like the kangaroo and The London Bridge as shown.  The tape is retractable by pushing the little button on the back.

Here are two silver pin cushions, one being a laced up boot.  The other is a type of slipper with an elephant etched on it.  Maybe it is Oriental e.g. from Thailand.  They both have velvet cushions in them.

One of these needle holders has advertising on it namely Kirby, Beard and Co. Ltd.  London and Redditch.  It holds 100 needles and is made of brass which has been enamelled.

The other three are all plastic; probably Bakelite.  On two the lid screws off and becomes a thimble showing a tiny real of cottons.  What great compact and useful containers they are.

Here is a very pretty needle case with embroidered flowers on the front.

Unfortunately some of the stitchery is missing but I believe it to be quite old.  As well as the flannel in which to put the needles there is a small mirror on the opposite side.  I am sure it would have been really beautiful when in new condition.   If only it could talk!

This little group of thimbles I think are Bakelite and are probably from the 1940’s.  I have done much needlework over the years but never used a thimble as I could not get used to one.  They are not so common these days although some ladies do still use them.

BEADED  NEEDLE HOLDER

Here is a modern beaded needle holder which I bought at a Craft Fair.

It features an Iris in purples and silver with a beaded tassle.  The colours look lovely with the black background and somebody has spent a long time making it and it really took my eye. One picture shows a purple enamelled brass needle holder with a brass thimble lid accompanied by a small pair of embroidery scissors.

SILVER  SHOE  PIN  CUSHION

What an elegant shoe this is; typical of the 1920’s or 30’s.

It is a lovely silver  pin cushion.  I have replaced the velvet as there was none in it when I made the purchase.  It is marked JB 1849 on the bottom.  It is accompanied by three silver thimbles in the picture.