Yesterday, I was showing DH, my newest purcahse, an antique
housewife. He thought it was something that you put bullets in. I guess you could use it for that but I explained that this one was for sewing and it was given to soldiers in the Civil War in order for them to do their own mending. Until recently I had no idea that the soldiers did their own mending, I don't know who I thought did it for them, and probably in lots of cases it didn't get done. Most soldiers probably had more important things on their mind. After buying this housewife, I decided that I wanted to make my own. I have a cute Mary Englebret one, but homemade is always nicer. I found this pattern in Confederates in the Cornfield, probably could have made my own, but since I had the book with the pattern I decided to go with it.
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| This is my version of the housewife, not as big as the one I purchased. |
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| Old and new side by side. |
