These needle books were a very fancy way of storing different size needles and the pictures on them depict the fashion and hairstyles of their day. Nowadays they are expensive to buy and not so easy to find.
NEEDLE BOOKS
“GREEN BAG” PIN CUSHION
This is a Victorian pin cushion (with gold thread stitching and beadwork) in the form of a handbag. It opens up with the fancy gold clasp to reveal the velvet pin cushion inside. I was really taken with it when I saw it at the Buttonfest in Melbourne a few years ago. I have not seen another anything like it.
PLASTIC & METAL BUTTONS
This button is bright yellow with a purply/pink centre underneath a metal filigree covering. I bought it because it was colourful and jazzy and also as it was different. I do not know it’s age but maybe 1960’s or 70’s.
PEARLISED PLASTIC BUTTONS
These plastic buttons have been coated with a pearl coating which has been made from crushed fish scales. It wears off in time but some of these are in quite good order.
GLASS AND METAL BUTTON
This blue glass button is large being 3 1/2cm in diameter. The white metal floral border is very decorative, offsetting the plain glass nicely.