Civil War soldiers did not have much in the line of extra
clothing, so the clothing they wore took a lot of wear and tear. Soldiers
were often sent off to war with “housewives” or small sewing kits made by their
wives, mothers, or girlfriends.
These were usually made from scraps of fabric such as cotton, twill, or silk and sometimes leather. They could be folded or rolled to pocket-size, and then fastened with ribbon, yarn, or a button. They contained essential sewing supplies such as needles, pins, thread, buttons, a small pair of scissors, extra scraps of fabric for field repairs, and possibly a thimble. When a soldier needed to sew on a button or mend a tear, all of the necessary supplies were available.
To see an example of the "housewife" that is part of the Minnesota Historical Society collection, please CLICK HERE
A “housewife” was also known as a “huswife” or “hussif”. Today we would call this a sewing kit. “Huswifes” became very popular in the 1700s and were often elaborately embroidered. They were easily carried, lightweight, and essential for soldiers, sailors, or a men in a variety of occupations who constantly needed sewing supplies to mend clothing that could not be easily replaced either due to lack of availability or cost. “Huswifes” were used throughout the 1800s.
To see an example of a Civil War-era housewife that at one time was available on eBay, please CLICK HERE.
An essential part of any soldier’s gear, these mending kits were not an army-issued item. Commercial versions were available from sutlers, who were civilian merchants who followed the army camps. This housewife of oil cloth and silk , above, could be rolled for storage.
Ladies even enjoyed making these fabric sewing kits for themselves. Some of them were made of silk and included elaborate embroidery designs reminiscent of the “crazy quilts” popular in the late 1800s. For an example, please CLICK HERE.
One popular source of sewing needles was the "James Smith & Son's" brand. The needle could also be used for removing splinters, and on occasion, sewing up a wound. Some soldiers even took up recreational needlework. After the First World War (1914-18), embroidery became a popular therapeutic occupation for wounded soldiers.
The above is a military sewing kit or housewife (hussif), 1NZEF, World War 1 sewing kit of brown suede with three reels of cotton, buttons, thread and needles comprises .1 holder .2-.4 cotton reels .5 seven metal buttons .6 three plastic buttons .7 wad of thread and needles. Military issue of this style of sewing kits, or hussifs, continued through World War 2.
Today, sewing kits usually come in zippered pouches or cheap plastic boxes,
If you would enjoy making your own American Civil War-era housewife or “hussif,” Please CLICK HERE to find a pattern. Use fabric scraps with small prints. For greater authenticity, use Civil War reproduction prints.
Although my latest novel, Abilene Gamble, is set after the Civil War, during a flashback scene, I make mention of a housewife. To find the book description and purchase link for this book, please CLICK HERE.
Sources:
https://ageofrevolution.org/200-object/housewife-sewing-kit/
https://hylandhouse.org/at-home-activities/make-your-own-huswife-a-colonial-travel-sewing-kit/
http://digital.chipublib.org/digital/collection/wha/id/356/
https://uniondb.com/products/civil-war-house-wife-cam-044
https://thedreamstress.com/2015/11/a-lucky-sixpence-hussuf-and-what-are-hussuf-or-housewives/
Wikimedia Creative Commons
This is very interesting. Thank you for telling us about it. I enjoy reading about all the past items.
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