The Hussif...and remembrance

 

I think of all my tutorials over the years, and there's been about eighty since 2009, that the 5-day, very detailed Hussif tutorial is the most popular. 

This five-part series of step by step tutorials ran over one week in 2015 and since then I have had hundreds of requests, especially this past year, to release the whole thing as a single pattern. Up until now I've only sold the embroideries featured in the Hussif, but earlier this week I brewed a large cup of Vanilla tea and sat down to do it.

Well, let's just say there ended up being a few large cups of tea, a lunch of avocado on toast with a side of grapes, more tea and some delicious ginger slice to sweeten my mind...and after many hours the 59-page pattern was complete. 

If you've not seen this Hussif before, let me show you inside...

...and perhaps tell you what a Hussif actually is?

Originally called a 'Housewife' (not the you or I kind of housewife)  it held various sewing notions. Today we know this as a sewing caddy or sewing companion - but in the Regency era of 1749 it was also known as a 'huswif' or 'hussive'. Eventually the name Hussif became the common term and is thought to have been a contraction of 'housewife' spoken in Lancaster shire dialect. 

Every household and every sailor had their own Hussif. Some were simply made from scrap fabric or linen, others were quite ornate with brocade, lace, and embroidery.

Hussifs were usually 18-24 inches long with a rounded end and a square end, and folded into three sections, and that's how I made mine.

The lace I used is over 100 years old as I wanted my Hussif to become an heirloom piece to pass along to Blossom, and then to one of her girls.

The newly compiled pattern comes with detailed instructions for every section, step by step photo tutorials, embroidery patterns and a second version of the Hussif made without embroideries. 

Here's the second version using a darker, more romantic style of fabrics. Certain sections were fussy cut, which means I carefully chose pretty sections of the fabric to feature where the embroideries did in my first version.

So now there's two options for making a Hussif of your own from my pattern.

Firstly, you can go HERE and start the 5-day tutorial by scrolling through the relevant blog posts from 2015. Please note that the embroideries are not included, and never were. They have always been a separate purchase.

Or you can go HERE to my Etsy Shop and purchase the complete pattern, everything included.

Last week I received a bundle of Tilda's new Gardenlife fabrics as a gift from the Australian supplier, 2 Green Zebras. They'll be available at quilt shops and online in May.

Now I'm working on an idea for a sew-along that you can join in with, shared here on the blog over a few weeks. Maybe a small Sampler quilt? Maybe something to tie in with Tea Week next month? There won't be any embroidery because I don't have time for that right now, but admittedly the thought of just patchwork or a bit of applique has set my heart a flutter. 

I wonder what you'd like me to do as a sew-along?

I shall sign off today with a grateful heart for our soldiers, serving and retired, who have carried the flag of our nation's armed services with courage and gallantry for well over a century. It's ANZAC Day today, a day when Australians and New Zealanders honour those who fought so bravely, yet unsuccessfully against the odds at Gallipoli in 1915. 

Many of you will have lost loved ones in war, even in friendly fire. I'm praying for you today...

Lest We Forget. 

Blessings

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!