Sewing Rolls and other needlework toys

Historically small accessories for needlework were called "Toys". Today we sometimes call them smalls or even still call them toys. They can be things such as pin cushions, needlebooks, scissors sheaths, fobs, emeries or anything else that stitchers create, collect and use. Many times they are stitched but can also be made of fabric, paper, and Bristol board to name just a few of the materials but fabulous examples are created with Mother of Pearl, gold or silver. One of the very useful accessories is a sewing roll. It could combine a pincushion, a flannel piece for needles or pins and often has a pocket to store buttons or thread. It is then rolled up and can be placed in a pocket or bag. There are so many variations made from scraps of whatever fabric was available, sometimes it sould be a wonderul reminant of silk but even the last useable bit from the rag bag that was pieced and pressed into use. It is so much fun to imagine who it was for and who created it. I bought a barely started kit designed and created by Tricia Nguyen. It was a sewing roll called the Salem Sewing Roll. It is stitched on a lovely green linen with silk threads in pastel shades of yellow, pink, blue, green and tans. There was enough extra linen and thread in the kit so that I was able to create some "toys" to go with it. I used Tricia's original design for inspiration and created three more pieces to match. I did a scissors sheath, a combination needlebook and pincushion, and an emery. The first photo shows the outside of the roll and one side of the smalls.

This photo is of the inside of the sewing roll and the other side of the smalls.

Sewing rolls are fun to do. I designed and taught two of these sewing rolls in past classes. The last photo is of an antique piece that I own.