Examines the humble thimble and its many varieties, from the simple workaday type to the rarer and more exquisite examples that gave scope for artists and craftsmen. This work gives an introduction to the possibilities that exist, including the parallel subject of thimble cases.

Consists chiefly of 795 color plates. Also covers thimble cases and holders, mending kits, sewing accessories, and marks.

Over 2000 thimbles illustrated in full color, with a detailed their history. Seen in the context of the lives of the women who used them, thimbles offer a glimpse into the private, domestic world that history books often overlook. A value guide plus helpful, practical tips on cataloging, maintenance, and display, and a list of thimble collectors' organizations throughout the world make this a wonderful collector's guide.

Use this fact-packed, liberally illustrated handbook to find values for collectible sewing implements, from needlework tools to pin cushions, clamps, work boxes, and more.

Surveys the history of the thimble, discusses notable thimbles from the middle ages to the present, and provides advice for collectors

Mary C. Beaudry mines archaeological findings of sewing and needlework to discover what these small traces of female experience reveal about the societies and cultures in which they were used. Beaudry's geographical and chronological scope is broad: she examines sites in the United States and Great Britain, as well as Australia and Canada, and she ranges from the Middle Ages through the Industrial Revolution.The author describes the social and cultural significance of "findings": pins, needles, thimbles, scissors, and other sewing accessories and tools. Through the fascinating stories that grow out of these findings, Beaudry shows the extent to which such "small things" were deeply entrenched in the construction of gender, personal identity, and social class.

The first comprehensive study of needlework tools and accessories mad in Holland between 1400 and the 20th century.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.