With the original located in the Colonial Williamsburg collection, many fascinating details are revealed.
According to a label attached to the case, the fabrics for her case came from the gowns she wore in the White House from 1789 to 1797.
Since Martha Washington passed away in 1802, the sewing case likely dates from 1797 to 1802.
Photographs of this lovely case can be found online, and in the Colonial Williamsburg publication, What Clothes Reveal by Linda Baumgarten.
OUR CLASS SEWING KITS FROM CW GOWNS
After learning the details of the case, we were given our carefully crafted kits, where the instructor poured through the 18th century silk collection used in the Costume Design Center to sew gowns for the historical interpreters.
The instructor explained that she tried to find pieces that closely matched those of Lady Washington’s.
I do know that the peach stripe is from a Lady Washington gown that the lady who interprets her wears!
Despite running out of time while stitching this cute project, we had a beautiful instructional booklet full of photographs to help us finish the project at home.
Earlier this week I pulled out this project to complete.
As I opened my kit a rush of memories rushed to my mind.
Many trades helped with this project.
Cardboard inserts were specially obtained by the printshop and carefully glued with period accurate glue.
And many thanks to the Colonial Williamsburg sheep for donating their wool for the project.
At the suggestion of the instructor, I added a bit of lavender, purchased at the Greenhow Store in the historic area, to the wool.
MY ANTIQUE THIMBLE
My tiny touch of history to include in the case is my thimble my grandmother, who taught me how to sew, gave it to me.
It belonged to her mother or grandmother.
Sadly, I now forget, and I cannot ask her, since she passed away several years ago.
I wonder how far back it goes in time and how many of my grandmothers stitched with it?
Especially memorable is the day I learned one of the milliners grew up down the road from my mom.
Since the milliner always reminded me of my grandmother, I think this is a fun connection to tie that story together.
I’m considering tucking this into my 18th century basket to use in the historic area, but I’d hate to lose either thimble or case.
For more photos, check my Flickr set.
COMMENTS FROM MY OLD BLOG
Rebecca March 1, 2011 at 5:18 PM – It came out so lovely! And to think it’s already traveled many, many miles! 🙂 I love your fabric choices, especially the outer blue brocade. And what a special place to keep your little sewing heirloom. Just be ever so careful it never gets the chance to slip out of its little pocket as you carry it with you around CW! That would be tragic indeed if it ever got lost!
I have my grandmother’s sewing box and a couple of her sewing implements, but I don’t think any of them are older than the 40s or 50s. Still special to me, though! 🙂
