[HNW] Re: contents of period sewing baskets

[Robin Berry]

The class of the needleworker also made a difference. For an upper
middle class lady:

1800 - tools of ivory and steel, the steel tools I have are so fine
you'd think they were silver,

1860 - tools of mother of pearl and silver, lots of stuff from China
in ivory, lots of stuff from India - carved sandlewood, heavy amounts
of decoration (the Victorian thing you know :)

1900 - tools of fine wood, metal with enamelwork decoration,
vegetable ivory, brass needlecases both collectibles and advertising
ones