5 antique sewing collectables

Antique sewing tools are popular with collectors especially amongst those who love to sew themselves.  One of my earliest antiques purchases were some antique crochet hooks and lace bobbins which I bought as a present for my mother when I was still at school It is still possible to buy many sewing related collectables at pocket money prices ( Think buttons) although you will need a small fortune to buy some of the best .

Sewing related collectables include buttons, scissors, sewing boxes, thimbles, crocket hooks, lace making equipment needles cases and tape measures. Examples of actually sewn work are also collected, handmade lace, samplers and tapestry pictures. Here is my guide to the top 5 antique sewing collectables in no particular order. These have been chosen for their easy of collectablity in todays market. 

art nouveau button

1. Buttons  Starting with buttons as this is probably the easiest collectable of all. Vintage buttons can be found very cheaply and if you want a bright and colourful collection quickly this is the place to start. Naturally there are rare and sought after antique buttons which can fetch very high prices hundreds of pounds each. Due to the sheer volume of buttons available it is perhaps best to theme a button collection. How about art nuvo silver buttons or art deco bakelite buttons. Animal shaped buttons or ones by named makers.

 2. Thimbles and Thimble Cases

 Whilst thimbles had the practical purpose of protecting fingers many were also made quite decorative too. Thimbles have been made in vast quantities recently especially for the collector as they display well however I suggest that any real colletor would do better to search out more unique items. Look out for silver thimbles made by Charles Horner or steel core ones made by Dorcas both can be found from about £20. Good names in ceramic thimbles are Wedgwood, Royal Crown Derby and Royal Worcester. If you have a bigger budget how about a Victorian gold thimble? Especially desirable are thimbles in their original cases. 

Buying a metal thimble?  Check its condition by holding it up to the light. Can you see any holes? If so either pass this time or if it is a rare example you really want for your collection make sure you pay a small fraction of its perfect price.

wedgwood thimbles

 3. Scissors 

Look out for hallmarked silver scissors this way you can tell the date they were made on. A fancy handle makes a pair of scissors desirable, scissors inthe shape of a bird for example. As with thimbles a pair of scissors in its original case is nice to find. When buying scissors do check to see how they open and close. Over the years many pairs have become loose or the blades worn – buyer beware. 

4. Needles

Needles, Needles case, Bodkins and Bodkin cases can be very decorative and make a fascinating colection on their own.  Needles and their larger cousin the bodkin were originally made from wood and bone, later they were made from silver, steel or even gold. Needle and bodkin cases were often highly decorative, you can find examples of battersea enamel cases, carved bone or decorative silver. Have you seen the paper cases that steel needles were sold in from thoughout the Victorian era to the middle of the last century? Many are very pretty with multi-coloured designs printed on them.

5. Pin cushions and half dolls

I have grouped these together as half dolls were often used as the decorative part of a pin cushion in the 1920s and 1930s.  Silver pin cushions from the early 1900s in the shape of animals are delightful but getting to be quite pricy now for a rare example in good condition.