This is a Civil War era sewing kit, or "housewife" as it was referred to by the soldiers. This little item was carried by virtually every soldier that fought in the Civil War. The items typically found inside were spare buttons, needles, pins, thread, (usually black, navy blue or white) some cloth patches, a small pair of scissors and possibly a thimble. These were carried in the soldiers knapsack. Whenever he needed to replace a missing button or repair a tear in his uniform out it would come. The term housewife was bestowed on his sewing kit because that's who he wished was doing the sewing! This housewife has a black leather body with a cloth interior. It measures 12" in length and 3 1/2" wide. There are two small pouches, one on each end to the needles, pins, thimble ans scissors. The cloth patches and thread, usually wound around stiff cardboard or wood, would be carried in the center section. This one is designed to roll up when not in use. Both cloth ties are present, but one is about 2" shorter than the other. There are no contents with this housewife. There is a hole about 1" long where the flap folds back in on the tie end. This would be ideal for the beginning collector. No matter what you decided to collect, everybody carried one of these!

Item # AA801

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