sewing

My Sewing Supplies

Leather-bound book

Country of Origin:
Time Period: 1300 onwards?
Type of Item: Journal
Outer Colour: Mid Brown
Construction Materials: Leather, hand-made paper
Details of Construction: Hand made
Details of Decoration & Finishes:
Made by: Pawel, Etsy shop, Poland

Needlecases

Pewter needlecase

Country of Origin: Netherlands
Time Period: 14th-15th century
Type of Item: Needlecase
Outer Colour/colours: Silver
Construction Materials: Lead free pewter
Details of Construction: Cast. 1.2cm internal diameter x 9.5cm length
Details of Decoration & Finishes: floral design in each panel with acorn finials at either end
Made by: Lionheart Replicas, UK,
Bought from: Mainly Medieval
Documentation Artifact Netherlands

Pewter needlecase

Country of Origin: Netherlands
Time Period: 15th century
Type of Item: Needlecase
Outer Colour/colours: Silver
Construction Materials: Lead free pewter
Details of Construction: Cast. 97 x 26mm
Details of Decoration & Finishes: Slightly adapted from a 15th c. needle case from the Netherlands (Schatten) and similar to an English example (MoL, Pilgrim Souvenirs, fig. 7). It has the names of the Three Kings of Cologne and an invocation to the Blessed Virgin on the lower part. The upper and lower parts are strung together on cords
Made by: Billy and Charlie,USA.
Bought from: Billy and Charlie,USA.
Documentation Artifact, Schatten uit de Schelde, p.43; Pilgrim Souvenirs, fig. 7

Brass needlecase

Country of Origin:
Time Period: 14th-15th century
Type of Item: Needlecase
Outer Colour/colours: brown
Construction Materials: Brass
Details of Construction: Hand made
Details of Decoration & Finishes: none
Made by: Robin Mackay
Documentation Artifact MoL

Pewter needlecase

Country of Origin:
Time Period: 14th-15th century
Type of Item: Needlecase
Outer Colour/colours: silver
Construction Materials: Pewter
Details of Construction: Total length of needle case is 5.3cm.
Details of Decoration & Finishes: Lozenge shaped finish.
Made by: Made in the Czech Republic.
Bought from: Gift fromLissa- bought from Make Your Own Medieval
Documentation Artifact

Leather needlecase

Country of Origin: Koln, Germany
Time Period: 14th century
Type of Item: Needlecase
Outer Colour/colours: black
Construction Materials: leather
Details of Construction: hand made, naturally dyed
Details of Decoration & Finishes:
Made by: Frank Becker
Bought from:
Documentation Artifact,

Thimbles

Brass Beehive Thimble

Country of Origin: England
Time Period: 1350-1400
Type of Item: Domed thimble
Outer Colour/colours: Gold
Construction Materials: Brass
Details of Construction: Cast of hand punched artifact
Details of Decoration & Finishes: none
Imported from: Medieval Design, Italy
Documentation: Artifact the Gilbert Collection

Ring Thimble

Country of Origin: England
Time Period: 1350-1400
Type of Item: Ring thimble
Outer Colour/colours: Gold
Construction Materials: Brass
Details of Construction: Cast of hand punched artifact
Details of Decoration & Finishes: none
Imported from: Medieval Design, Italy

Brass Ring Thimble

Country of Origin: England
Time Period: 14th century
Type of Item: Ring thimble
Outer Colour/colours:
Construction Materials: Brass
Details of Construction: Handmade of sheet brass
Made by: unknown
Bought from: Mainly Medieval
Documentation examples in the Museum of London's "Dress Accessories- Medieval Finds from Excavations in London

Ring Thimble

Country of Origin: England
Time Period: 14th century
Type of Item: Ring thimble
Outer Colour/colours: black
Construction Materials: Iron?
Details of Construction: Cast in one piece
Details of Decoration & Finishes: Original would have had hand punched holes
Made by:
Bought from: Abbey Museum of Art & Archaeology gift shop
Documentation: 14-15th Century Ring thimble 19mm gaukler originals

Leather thimble

Country of Origin:
Time Period:
Type of Item: Leather thimble
Outer Colour/colours: Black
Construction Materials: Suede, linen thread
Details of Construction: Hand stitched
Made by: Rosalie
Documentation

Scissors & Shears

Medium metal shears

Country of Origin: Europe & England
Time Period: 14th century
Type of Item: Scissors
Outer Colour/colours: black
Construction Materials: Iron
Details of Construction: cm. Handforged.
Details of Decoration & Finishes: none
Imported by: Medieval Design, Italy
Documentation

Forged iron scissors with pointed blades

Country of Origin:
Time Period: 14th century
Type of Item: Scissors
Outer Colour/colours: black
Construction Materials: Iron
Details of Construction: cm. Handforged.
Details of Decoration & Finishes: none
Imported by: Lacis, California

Medium metal scissors

Large metal scissors

Country of Origin: Russia
Time Period: 14th century
Type of Item: Scissors
Outer Colour/colours: black
Construction Materials: Iron
Details of Construction: 22 cm. Handforged.
Details of Decoration & Finishes: none
Made by: The Merchant Venturers, UK.
Documentation Artifact Novgorod Musuem, Russia. Source 13th/15th C medieval paintings.

15th century metal scissors

Country of Origin: Russia
Time Period: 15th century
Type of Item: Scissors
Outer Colour/colours: black
Construction Materials: Iron
Details of Construction: 22cm. Handforged.
Details of Decoration & Finishes: none
Made by: ?
Imported by: Make Your Own Medieval.
Documentation Artifact Novgorod Musuem, Russia. Source 13th/15th C medieval paintings.

Metal snips

Country of Origin:
Time Period: 14th century
Type of Item: Scissors
Outer Colour/colours: black
Construction Materials: Iron
Details of Construction: cm. Commercially produced
Details of Decoration & Finishes: none
Made by: Bought Make Your Own Medieval
Documentation: Abbey Museum of Art and Archeology

Pins, Needles & Tools

Measuring stick

Country of Origin: Italy
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Measuring stick
Outer Colour: White
Construction Materials: Hardwood
Details of Construction: Hand made
Details of Decoration: painted with markings at one inch. 36 inch wooden measuring stick with inches marked.
Made by: Rosalie's Medieval Woman, Brisbane.
Documentation A Tailor's Workshop, Tacuinum sanitatis, MS 1673, Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris.

Niddy Noddy

Country of Origin: Europe
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Niddy noddy - wood winder
Outer Colour: natural
Construction Materials: Pine
Details of Construction: Hand made
Made by: Rosalie
Documentation The three daughter of ... 14th century manuscript

Bone lucet

Country of Origin:
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Lucet
Outer Colour: Natural
Construction Materials: Bone
Details of Construction: Hand shaped and sanded
Details of Decoration & Finishes: No decoration
Made by: Rosalie
Documentation Artifact sheep bone lucet, York. 13th C Sigtuna Museum, Sweden

Bone lucet

Country of Origin:
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Lucet
Outer Colour: Natural
Construction Materials: Bone
Details of Construction: Hand shaped and sanded
Details of Decoration & Finishes: No decoration, two holes.
Made by:
Bought from: Medievalcraft, Europe
Documentation Artifact sheep bone lucet, York. Sigtuna Museum, Sweden.

Bone awl

Country of Origin: England
Time Period: 14th century
Type of Item: Awl
Colour/colours: White
Construction Materials: Bone
Details of Construction: Hand fashioned with hole drilled.
Details of Decoration & Finishes: No decoration
Made by: Hornmaster
Documentation

Bone awl

Brass needles x 2

Country of Origin: London, England
Time Period: 14th century
Type of Item: Needle
Colour: Brass
Construction Materials: Brass
Details of Construction: Hand made with drilled thread hole
Made by: Bero, Germany
Documentation

Brass needles x 2

Bone needle

Country of Origin: England
Time Period: 14th century
Type of Item: Needles
Colour/colours: White
Construction Materials: Bone
Details of Construction: Hand fashioned with hole drilled.
Details of Decoration & Finishes: No decoration
Made by: Stag Inn

Brass pins x 12

Country of Origin: London, England
Time Period: 14th century
Type of Item: ball headed pins
Colour: Brass
Construction Materials: Brass
Details of Construction: Hand made
Made by: Bero, Germany
Documentation

Brass pins, large

Country of Origin: London, England
Time Period: 14th century
Type of Item: Pins
Colour/colours: Brass
Construction Materials: Brass
Details of Construction: Manufactured. 26x.55mm
Made by: Birch
Bought from: Spotlight
Documentation artifact finds

Brass pins, fine

Country of Origin: London, England
Time Period: 14th century
Type of Item: Pins
Colour/colours: Brass
Construction Materials: Brass
Details of Construction: Manufactured.
Made by: Birch
Bought from: Spotlight
Documentation artifact finds

Bees Wax

Country of Origin: Generic
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Wax
Outer Colour/colours: Natural
Construction Materials: Beeswax
Made by: Curiosity & Candles, Hervey Bay

Bees Wax

Country of Origin: Generic
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Wax
Outer Colour/colours: Natural
Construction Materials: Beeswax
Made by:
Bought from: Make Your Own Medieval

Threads & reels

Wooden thread reels x 3

Country of Origin: England
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Thread reel
Outer Colour: Natural
Construction Materials: Hardwood
Details of Construction: Hand turned
Details of Decoration: None
Made by:
Bought from: Historic Enterprises, USA
Documentation: Artifact fragment, Mary Rose 15th century based on a fragment cited in the Museum of London book "Medieval Finds from Excavations in London- The Medieval Household"- SWA81 Acc No 1342, page. 270.

Wooden thread reels x 4

Country of Origin: England
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Thread reel
Outer Colour: Natural
Construction Materials: Hardwood
Details of Construction: Hand turned
Details of Decoration: unvarnished
Made by:
Bought from: Medieval Design, Italy
Documentation: Based on Artifact fragment, Mary Rose 15th century based on a fragment cited in the Museum of London book "Medieval Finds from Excavations in London- The Medieval Household"- SWA81 Acc No 1342, page. 270.

Wooden thread reels x 7

Country of Origin: England
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Thread reel
Outer Colour: Natural
Construction Materials: Hardwood
Details of Construction: Hand turned
Details of Decoration: None
Made by:
Bought from: Walter
Documentation: Artifact fragment, Mary Rose 15th century based on a fragment cited in the Museum of London book "Medieval Finds from Excavations in London- The Medieval Household"- SWA81 Acc No 1342, page. 270.

Wooden thread reels x 6

Country of Origin: England
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Thread reel
Outer Colour: Natural
Construction Materials: Hardwood
Details of Construction: Hand turned
Details of Decoration: None
Made by:
Bought from: Walter
Documentation: Artifact fragment, Mary Rose 15th century based on a fragment cited in the Museum of London book "Medieval Finds from Excavations in London- The Medieval Household"- SWA81 Acc No 1342, page. 270.

Wooden thread reels x 12

Country of Origin: England
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Thread reel
Outer Colour: Natural
Construction Materials: Hardwood
Details of Construction: Hand turned
Details of Decoration: None
Made by:
Bought from: Walter
Documentation: Artifact fragment, Mary Rose 15th century based on a fragment cited in the Museum of London book "Medieval Finds from Excavations in London- The Medieval Household"- SWA81 Acc No 1342, page. 270.

Wooden thread reels x thin

Country of Origin: England
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Thread reel
Outer Colour: Natural
Construction Materials: dyed bamboo skewers
Details of Construction: Hand turned
Details of Decoration: unvarnished
Made by: Rosalie
Bought from:

Wooden thread reels x 9 small

Country of Origin: England
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Thread reel
Outer Colour: Natural
Construction Materials: Pine dowel
Details of Construction: Hand turned
Details of Decoration: unvarnished
Made by: Rosalie
Bought from:

Wooden thread reels x 3 large

Country of Origin: England
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Thread reel
Outer Colour: Natural
Construction Materials: Pine
Details of Construction: Hand turned
Details of Decoration: unvarnished
Made by: Rosalie
Bought from:

Linen thread

Country of Origin: Stockholm, Sweden
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Linen thread
Details of thread : from left to right:
- Unbleached linen, hand spun (Historical Textiles, Sweden)
- Off white linen, commercially produced (Gutermann, Spotlight)
- White linen, commercially produced (Gutermann, Spotlight)

Linen Sewing thread

Country of Origin: Generic
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Sewing thread
Colour: as shown
Construction Materials: 100% linen
Details of Construction: Commercially produced
Made by: Gutermann, Germany
Bought from: Spotlight, Logan Road, Mt Gravatt

Woolen thread - colour samples

Country of Origin: Stockholm, Sweden
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Wool thread
Details of Construction: Swedish spun wool
Details of Decoration: Hand dyed using period methods
Made by:
- Wool, woad dyed (Historical Textiles, Sweden)
- Wool, madder dyed (Historical Textiles, Sweden)
- Wool, undyed (Historical Textiles, Sweden)
- Wool, oak gall dyed (Historical Textiles, Sweden)
- Wool, undyed, hand spun (Angela Ketley/Doak)

Wool - colour samples

Country of Origin: Italy
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Wool thread
Details of Construction: Italian spun wool
Details of Decoration: Hand dyed using period methods
Made by: Silvio's Workshop, Italy
Documentation

Wool - natural

Country of Origin: England
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Wool thread
Outer Colour: Natural
Details of Construction: Hand spun wool
Details of Decoration: None
Made by:
Bought from: RSPCA Wacol Op Shop

Wool - large cone

Cloth & Fur samples

Wool Cloth- type samples

Country of Origin: England
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Wool cloth
Colour: Many colours
Details of Construction: Wool swatches, cut and blanket stitched into swatch books
Made by: Rosalie from offcuts

Light-weight dress wool samples.
Wools suitable to be used for summer clothing.

Woven patterned dress wool samples.
Wools woven in stripes or herringbone.

Mid-light weight dress wool samples.

Wool samples to suit mid-weight clothing.

Wool samples to suit outers or surcotes. Thickish wools for cold weather for clothing.

Wool samples to suit hose or cloaks.
Thick wools suitable for cold weather clothing or bedding.

Wool fabric sample

Made by Maria Neijman

Hand-sheared, spun and woven cloth sample

Sample made by my sister when she was a teenager with very little experience. The fleece was home washed, spun and woven into cloth. This sample shows what can be achieved by a young person without years of experience.

Wooden framed magnifying glasses

By the 14th century, eyeglasses start to appear in manuscripts for tradesmen although they appear in written records and a few artworks from the early 14th century onwards. Oak frames made by Malcolm Fraser, Sweetness & Light, England.

Linen Cloth- type samples
A selection of linens suitable for veils, aprons and underclothes.

Country of Origin: England
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Wool cloth
Colour: Many colours
Details of Construction: Linen swatches, cut and blanket stitched into swatch books
Made by: Rosalie from offcuts

Linen-silk blend Cloth- type samples

Ermine fur sample

Country of Origin: England
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item:
Outer Colour/colours:
Construction Materials:
Details of Decoration/finishes:
Made by: Rosalie
Documentation:

Rabbit/Coney fur sample

Lambswool/Budge Sample

Kits

Button making kit

Country of Origin:
Time Period: 1300 onwards
Type of Item: Items for button making workshops
Outer Colour: Brown coffret
Construction Materials: Wood, linen

Contents:
- banded wooden coffret, Op shop find
- snips x 2
- wooden reels x 2
- thread
- needles
- pre-cut linen circles

Boxes

Round Bentwood Box with lid - pink

Country of Origin: Italy
Time Period: 1360-1390
Type of Item: Bentwood box
Outer Colour/colours: pink
Inner colour/ colours: Light brown
Construction Materials: Birch
Details of Construction: Commercially produced.
Details of Decoration & Finshes: Undecorated
Made by: Painted by Rosalie
Bought from: Op Shop
Documentation: Manuscript,

Bentwood box with birds

Country of Origin: Generic
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: box
Outer Colour/colours: painted
Construction Materials: thin plywood box
Details of Decoration/finishes: Han dpainted by Rosalie
Bought from: Cheese box from Woolies
Documentation: Copies from Artifacts, Artwork from manuscript bestiary.

Bentwood storage and display boxes Set of three

Country of Origin: Generic
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item:
Outer Colour/colours: Natural
Construction Materials: Finnish poplar
Construction method: steamed and then bent under pressure
Details of Decoration/finishes: none
Sizes: 8-1/2" x 4-1/2" x 3"
8-1/4" x 4-1/8" x 2-3/4"
7-3/4" x 3-3/4" x 2-1/2".
Bought from: Holzalbum, Germany
Documentation: Copies from manuscript Tacuinum sanitatus

Bentwood box

Country of Origin: Generic
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item:
Outer Colour/colours: Natural
Construction Materials: Finnish poplar
Construction method: steamed and then bent under pressure
Details of Decoration/finishes: none
Bought from: Op shop
Documentation: artifact

Round wooden pin box

Country of Origin: Generic
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item:
Outer Colour/colours:
Construction Materials: Unfinished pine
Details of Decoration/finishes: Height: 1 inch / 2,7 cm, Diameter: 1,5 inch / 3,9 cm
Bought from; Coloricrafts, Poland
Documentation: Copies from Artifacts

Round wooden pin box

Mini bentwood boxes for storage and display x 5

Country of Origin: Generic
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: mini bentwood boxes
Outer Colour/colours:
Construction Materials: Unfinished pine
Details: Height: 1 inch / 2,7 cm, Diameter: 1,5 inch / 3,9 cm
Made by:
Bought from; Coloricrafts, Poland
Documentation: Copies from Artifacts

Techniques & Types samples

Button type samples

Country of Origin: England-France-Europe
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Linen thread
Details of Construction: from left to right:
- Cloth button - wool, hand made (Rosalie)
- Cloth button - wool, hand made (Rosalie)
- Pewter button, garnet centre (Lionheart Replicas, England)
- Pewter button, nipple type (Gesithas, Australia)
- Pewter button, large, glass stone (Steve Millingham Pewter Replicas)
- Pewter button, decorated
- Pewter button, conical (Gesithas, Australia)

Aglet Samples

Country of Origin: England
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item: Sign
Outer Colour/colours: Painted
Construction Materials: Pine board, acrylic paint, metal hooks
Details of Decoration/finishes: Painted
Made by: Rosalie
Documentation: Copies from Artifacts

Raw Wool Sample
Country of Origin: England
Time Period: Medieval
Type of Item:
Outer Colour/colours:
Construction Materials:
Details of Decoration/finishes:
Made by: Rosalie
Documentation:

Eyelet Sample

Seam Sample

Buttonhole Sample

Sample of hand stitched 14th century wool kirtle sleeve with linen re-inforcing strip and buttonholes hand stitched at 2cm intervals.

Based on Museum of London finds.