Elegant portable containers for sets of sewing tools were elegant items to own in 19th century. Souvenir of Bournville

Elegant portable sewing set

Etui with pieced mother of pearl patterned lid with blue velvet lining. Lid fitted internally with satin with two pockets for needles. Base has paper transfer picture of Bournville offices on the left and Bournville pavilion on the right

etui, mother of pearl

Folding pen knives were used for many small needlework tasks, once used for sharpening nib of quill pen and in 18th century for parfilage (unpicking gold and silver threads)

Tool often found in sewing sets, useful for many sewing tasks

Folding pen knife with mother of pearl handle

mother of pearl

H. Milwards needle manufacturers were at one time the largest manufacturer of the type in the world.

Example of needle packets made in Redditch in England which was the centre of sewing needle production in mid 1800's. Iron Arm brand needles were advertised in early 1900's

Paper packet H. Milward & Sons needles

25 Milwards Best Redditch Needles, The Iron Arm

milwards, needles