Describes the forms and uses of winders, bobbins, hoops, frames, bodkins, and other sewing implements used in various world cultures

Featuring exquisite examples from museums and private collections, including many rare items, this treasure trove explains and illustrates the history and beauty of American sewing tools. Exhaustively researched, it is the first publication to focus on the topic and shares the story of the American industries, innovations, and uses related to hand sewing and embroidery tools. Insights spring from well-documented primary sources like eighteenth-century American newspaper advertisements or a twentieth-century thimble patent. The book offers historical background, detailed descriptions, and photographs of needles and threads, bodkins and awls, chatelaines, hoops, lucets, and more. The strong link between women's history and needlework tools is captured as well. Many one-of-a-kind handmade examples represent American subcultures and regional tastes. With more than 650 color photographs, this is an invaluable resource for historians, scholars, collectors, and embroidery and sewing enthusiasts.

The history and diversity of needlework tools from ancient Egypt through the 20th century are identified. Nearly 500 photographs beautifully illustrate needles, bodkins, pin cushions, thimbles, bobbins, clamps, hooks, shuttles, measuring tapes, waxers, winders, and more. A special section features representative tools from private collections. Three appendices, values, and an index are included.

*History of needlework tools and associated embroideries from the seventeenth century to the Edwardian era*Answers the questions that collectors really ask*Of interest to collectors, dealers, auction houses, as well as embroidery and needlework enthusiastsThis is a comprehensive study of needlework tools from the seventeenth century to the Edwardian era. The format of the book groups these tools into periods and relates them to the style of embroidery fashionable at that time. The book starts with the heavy silver needlework tools of the seventeenth century which are related to the raised and padded embroidery of that era now known as stumpwork. The more delicate embroidery tools of the Georgian era are grouped together with fine embroideries. Illustrations of Georgian sewing boxes and sewing sets show the wonderful varieties available to collectors. Palais Royal sewing boxes and their superb mother-of-pearl contents, considered by collectors to be the ultimate sewing box, are illustrated as are the glorious carved ivory needlework tools that originated from the Dieppe region of France. The Victorian lady chose her sewing box, work table or sewing set from the tremendous range available of which illustrated examples include tortoiseshell, papier mbchi, Tunbridge ware and Mauchline ware. This was also the era of the sewing circle and handmade needlework tools were created in abundant numbers, many surviving for today's collectors' market.

Containing unique reproductions of samplers and smalls from private collectors and museum collections, this DVD edition features one-of-a-kind antique needlework projects from the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, as well as antique-inspired designs. Also featured are well-researched articles profiling sampler makers, sampler-producing schools, needlework tools, museums and the various historical events that have shaped needlework. Some of the articles and projects cannot be found anywhere else, making this DVD essential to any collection. The DVD incudes full-color photography, easy-to-read charts and complete instructions.

A stunning array of edge and boring tools from Britain, continental Europe and North America provides a survey of hand tool-making from prehistory to today.

Beautifully illustrated, comprehensive study of women's painted furniture, a long-lost art that sheds light on women's lives in the early republic

Tells the stories of six women and how needlework shaped their lives in the colonies' most important port city.