Life is indeed a stitch!
Berryhill Heirlooms and Susie Gay present techniques, heirloom sewing, hand embroidery and other musings. Come and join in the fun with Susie, a Home Economist, and savor a little rest from your hectic day...and yes, it's a Degree she uses every day!

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Interesting Artifacts: Needle Books

 I remember going to Woolworth's or other five and dimes and seeing the cute needle books made from card, filled with a perfectly arranged set of needles. Often they were advertisements, but other ones were just pretty and had beautiful pictures on them. Some had foil on the inside in different colors. They are a fun item to collect. Here's a selection of needle book ephemera...sit back, relax with a cup of tea or mug of coffee and enjoy the show!

A more modern design probably from the late 50's to early 60's with the foiled inside.


A rose is a rose, inside and out! This one measures, when folded, about 3" tall and 2 1/2" wide. This is an advertising needle book.


One World dates in the 30's, and features highly colored pictures of famous world sites. The other two are from the 40's and 50's, from the style of clothing pictured on the ladies.

The Book of Wonders features natural wonders of the US (Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Niagara Falls, etc.) It dates from the 30s.The inside is in less than stellar shape but still interesting

Ah...Shakespeare appears and why not since the home of the needle industry in Britain, Redditch, was near Stratford-on-Avon, The Bard's hometown. There are no needles in this one anymore but all were made in Redditch from the best Sheffield steel. Check the map out on the back!

The Superior Needle Book is unused and made in Germany. It has a nice shape, too. It contains 60 needles and the ubiquitous foil threader.

The Family Needle Case Warranted (did THAT really matter?) is beautifully decorated with scrolls, Fleur-de-Lis and contains not only 5 packets of needle but also a small piece of blue flannel to put them in when in use. This was made in Germany prior to WWII...look closely at the needle packet designs for the Iron Cross and of course, the German Imperial Eagle.
Last in this post is "Sewing Susan"  appropriate since my formal name is Susan. Colorful foil inside and probably from Japan, 1950's. 

I hope you're enjoyed this trip around the world of needle books!











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