14th C sewing kit

[Phil Berghan-Whyman]

14th century Western Europe/England: what are sewing needles commonly made from. Also what about pins?

And, does anyone know a good source here in NZ for making/buying them?

Cheers

Phil

[Bogue]

Hey Phil

http://chestofbooks.com/reference/Dictionary-of-Dry-Goods/Needle.html

According to this page

"Until the year 1818 needles in all European countries as well as in the United States were made by hand, by wire-drawers; and it is a pleasant fact to recall that to our own country the credit is due of the invention of needle-making by machinery."


Cheers
Bogue

[Boyd]

Being a needlegrinder was a high paying job and most didn't live past thirty due to grindstones exploding in their faces - the dangers of high speed stone grind wheels - I have a book I can send you if you want, I have also played with making brass needles - they get warm and bendy though!

Cheers

Boyd

[Phil Berghan-Whyman]

I'd love to read the book. I'll PM you.