For my birthday I received a sewing kit from my dear friend Erika. The sewing kit was for a sewing kit, which is kind of a funny thing to say. And in actually it was labelled as an 18th Century Housewife. The kit was a collaboration between Sewstine, one of my favorite 18th Century Costumers and master embroiderers and The Lady Detalle who is also a costumer and jewelry designer. Both have shops on Etsy, which is were Erika purchased my gift.
Let me take a moment to let you know how thoughtful this was. I’m a HUGE fan of Sewstine’s work and follow her on Instagram, so it was pretty amazing that Erika found her Etsy shop. And I LOVE getting sewing related presents. Even after sewing over 40 years and creating my own little sewing heaven at The Sewing Room, I still absolutely love making things and find it incredibly special that Erika thought to give me this lovely gift, embroidered by someone I really admire. AND she had it embroidered with my initials as well as the year.
All gushing aside, this is such a practical piece to have in my collection. It just rolls up and It’s kind of small so I can take it with my anywhere. The materials are absolutely gorgeous and it was hours of fun to make.
So, when I received an email from the Greater Bay Area Costumer’s Guild, a few months later, about teaching a “Regency Housewife” class for their Costume Academy, I was over the moon excited. Now in doing a little research I did not find any regency specific historic examples. Most examples were from the 1700s and then later 1800s. I think it’s just something that people made as a practical piece either for themselves or as a gift.
It seems a gentleman needs a housewife to take with him everywhere. Ha! So do I, by the way. In looking at these historic examples, it does become apparent that these are often given to gentlemen so they can mend their own clothes.
This example is highly decorated with lots of lace, bullion trim and an anchor as well as a couple of mirrors. Looks like it might have done double duty as a housewife, per se.
Early 19th C. Sewing Roll-Up W/ Old Note "Carried By My Father In The Civil War" Found Wrapped In 1913 Newspaper, Probably Barnes Family Chimney Pt., VT
Sold by AuctionZip.com
This example looks like it is also an embroidery sampler as well.
Civil War Quilts Blog
Victorian Sentiments on Etsy
This patriotic Housewife (sometimes also called a Hussif) is quite inspiring. I love that it was given to him my his mother. And the velvet housewife is quite decorative as well.
Some of the common elements I’ve found when looking at these extant pieces, are pockets , needle catches or fabric on which to hold your pins and needles and specific pin cushions.
This patchwork example from 1856 must have been quite the labor of love.
But I think my favorite is this teeny tiny Housewife made for an American girl by Pemberley Threads on Etsy. So cute!!!!
So in making a pattern for the GBACG class I wanted to create a version that could be appropriate across the ages and could be modernized or made reminiscent of a certain time, by changing the fabric. It had to have several pockets to hold thread, wax, hem gauge, measuring tape etc. as well as a needle catch and a small sheath and ribbon for some scissors. My pattern also includes an elastic strap for your seam ripper. And it ties off nicely with a ribbon.
The housewife does not take long to make and can be made using small pieces of fabric you already have in your stash or fancy pants fabric you purchase specifically for this purpose. You will be so happy to have all these tools tucked away in a little roll-up instead of floating around in the bottom of your sewing box. I know you will love yours as much as I love mine.
You can purchase my Sewing Tool Roll-Up pattern on Etsy by following this link:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/992342870/sewing-tool-rollup-sewing-pattern-18th
Until next time, Happy Sewing!
xo Jennifer
Ps - I’ll be teaching a Regency Bonnet class via the GBACG in early June. Let me know in the comments if your are interested in joining or interested in a pattern which I will probably make for the class.
