Tale of a Hussif ~ day 5 reveal...

It's made and the soft smile on my face shows no sign of diminishing in the near future.

This was a peaceful, satisfying, creative and beautiful project to put my heart and hands to work upon, my own little piece of sewing history that can be passed down to future generations in my family line...

About mid-July I'll share a step by step tutorial on the blog for making this hussif/huswif.

The embroideries in my hussif are available through The Stitchery Club (here) or as a pdf pattern set in my shop from July 17th.

To see my  progress making the hussif over the last week click here and scroll down through the five blog posts.

 

Have you enjoyed this week of 'hussif watching' and hussif history?

Personally, it has given me an increased appreciation for what we are able to source, purchase and make from needle and thread in the 21st Century!

In Regency times when the first little 'houswives', 'hussifs' and 'huswifs' were being made, sewing tools such as needle, pins and thread were very expensive, so many a woman would carry her hussif tied securely under her apron so as not to lose it.

Looking at my many boxes of pretty threads, a pile of needle packets, pearl ended pins and shelves of fabric, I feel a little ashamed that I take the acquisition of these notions for granted.

There's a new gratitude blooming around here now.

To close out this week let's have a look at some very old embellished hussifs, those which were no doubt labours of love. They were all made in the 1880's...

(the four photos above were found on Pinterest)

Let us each take a little time today for a moment of gratitude when we pick up our needle and work on projects that may one day be shown to fresh eyes as examples of what needlewomen made 'back in the day'....

hugs

Tale of a Hussif ~ part 4...

Is there anything sweeter in a sewing day than adding those final little touches that herald the completion of a joyous task?

I nestled in that delight about 5pm yesterday.

Adding the last little pieces took most of my afternoon because I had a few ideas I thought would work but only needed the 'right' two.

Like this little pin cushion.

The aged silk ribbon held in place with two cross-stitches...

...waiting for a puffy little spotted pillow to rest itself upon her creamy softness so she could wrap it in the snuggest hug.

Sweet?

And after all was said and done nothing quite compared to century old lace hand stitched over a half moon curve...

...and a very special mother-of-pearl button.

Tomorrow you can see my completed Hussif with all her pretties and pockets on display.

If you've missed the previous three parts in "Tale of a Hussif" they are here, here and here.

During my continuing research into the history of the 'hussif', 'huswif' or 'soldier's housewife' I came across a photo of one used by my own countrymen. 

Australian soldiers who fought in the Boer War (1899) were issued with a 'soldier's housewife' and this was the first time it became standard issue for serving soldiers. 

With one pocket, a needle rest and calico ties, their 'housewife' carried needle, thread and buttons for repairs when out in the battlefield.

 Rolled up it measured about 4" x 5"...

In the newspapers at the time is was reported, "The authorities have provided one complete housewife for each man." Apparently many real wives were demanding to know who these new  housewives were, and cartoonists jumped on the wagon with their take on the situation! 

On the other side of the world British soldiers received a Hussif as standard issue until the 1960's. This one belonged to a soldier of the Devonshire Regiment during WW1...

It's been wonderful to learn about their history and use in the military, but I think it's time for me to go looking for more 'girlie' hussifs to finish off the week, don't you?

May your day be a smiley one,

hugs

 

Tale of a Hussif ~ part 3...

Making my hussif is a journey of kinds.

Not sure if I've put so much of 'me' into a project for a very long time - it's become very personal since discovering more and more about the history of hussifs, huswifs, and 'housewives'.

Yesterday's progress.

The little bird and spool were stitched... 

(this design will be included in the July Stitchery Club patterns)

Tiny seed pearls scattered in the sunlight made their debut on lace...

Hidden places...

All the embroidery is complete now...

...but there's still something else to make today and time needed to sew it in place.

And then a little more hand quilting and embellishment before the finale.

I'm using scraps of Tilda fabric for my Hussif, and stitching with Cosmo threads. Truly, they carry a great deal of the beauty you see...

If you're new to Elefantz and would like to read (and see) more about the Tale of a Hussif you'll find day 1 here and day 2 here.

During the American Civil War hussifs were made for soldiers by their loved ones, but they were not called a hussif, instead they carried the original Regency name of a "soldier's housewife".

Here are some photos and information I found....

 The one above is on an auction site and included some of the history, which I found fascinating -

Civil War "Housewife." Probably began life in the possession of a Union soldier. "Picked up on the battlefield during the Battle of the Seven Days 1862 by....John W. Burgess Baltimore Light Artillery Stuart's Cavalry Confederate Army Civil War 1861 - 1863 was at Battle of Gettysburg and 7 Days Battle near Richmond and many others", is the period ink script and early typewritten tags which accompany the kit. Also stenciled on the underside of the wool needle pad, in the kit is "R. C. Harris O.", doubtless the original owner from Ohio. The kit is in very good condition, even retaining the original string ties for closure. John Burgess enlisted on June 6, 1862 and served with the 2d Md. Light Arty until his Appomattox parole, April 16, 1865. The 2d Md., commanded by J. B. Brokenborogh and equipped with Blakely rifles and 12 lb. Napoleons, was one of the most heavily engaged Confederate artillery units of the war and at Gettysburg engaged in one of the most desperate artillery actions of the war with Battery M of the United States Regular Artillery. Accompanied by a complete set of records. A remarkable capsule of Civil War history.

 The smallest 'housewives' -

I also read on an old 2001 webpage that during WW2 school children in the US were taught to make small felt envelopes which were filled with sewing essentials and distributed to soldiers by the Red Cross.

Are you enjoying our little history adventure this week?

 Mr E is home today so between my stitching hours I'm sure we'll head out for good coffee and some warm winter sunshine while we walk the dogs...

Have a blessed day!

Tale of a Hussif ~ part 2...

My sweet Hussif is coming along beautifully.

As I stitch my breathing slows and my heart warms because this has become a most special task...

Gathering aged ribbons, lace and buttons...

...and laying them this way and that, pondering where they may best display their vintage beauty.

Pink, cream or egg shell blue?

I'm giving each of them a moment to shine...

Little hand quilting stitches inside miniature squares of pastel fabrics...

Yes, it's coming along nicely.

(NOTE: The embroideries I'm using on my Hussif will be inside the July Stitchery Club patterns - details HERE)

 Yesterday I explained what a Hussif was, its origin, and also its purpose. 

(you can read about it here)

Today I thought you may like to see a photo of the items an 18thC soldier would carry inside his Hussif or "housewife". A man's hussif was smaller than a woman's and made from sturdier cloth because it was stowed away in his haversack for repairs whilst in the King's service...

Researching the Hussif or "housewife' of Regency times has been an interesting learning excursion for me the last couple of weeks and as I discover more about them, or find websites that may be of interest, I'll be sure to share them with you.

The two photos above were found HERE and HERE on the King's Royal Yorkers (1776-1784) website.

Scroll through the second link and you shall find a detailed list of the items a soldier or sailor would carry in his "housewife". 

Now, back to sewing for me. May your day be blessed and bright!

hugs,