My First Needlecase

It is a bit grubby and frayed, because, like its maker, it is getting on a bit.  This is how it all began, in Miss Bennett's class when I was six.  We were given pieces of binca, big fat blunt needles, lengths of soft embroidery cotton in jolly colours, and shown samples of different stitches we could try out.  The choice of colours and stitches was up to us.

When we were finished Miss Bennett made them up into needlecases with four felt pages inside.

I look at this needlecase and am filled with respect for Miss Bennett for what she could achieve with a class of fidgety infants.  She didn't just limit us to running stitch and cross stitch, but took us further into the realms of alternating running stitch, and blanket stitch with a second colour woven through it.

Them was the days, as they say where I come from.

Nan's Needlecase

This sweet little needlecase belonged to my grandmother.  I wish I knew who made it and when, but I will never know.  It has that definite 1920s or 30s look about it.  It is so wonderfully simple, showing what you can do with a few tiny pieces of felt.  Perhaps it was a child's sewing project.

Here is the inside, with ancient bent and discoloured needles and pins, to give it the authentic vintage look.  Nothing at all to do with me being Mrs. Disorganised.