Expert: Barbara K. Acchino - 6/12/2008

Question
I just received a sewing kit that's probably brass.  It is a little more than an inch across and the thimble itself is inside and sticks out through a hole in the top.  Under the thimble are two tiny thread holders.  Can you give me any information about this?  Thank you.

Answer
Hello Beth.  Sewing kits did come in brass, along with many other types of material.  They were designed to be a portable mending kit, thus the tiny spools of thread.  The "spool" may also be a needle holder - check the top and bottom to see if either pulls out.  Without a picture, I'm not able to tell you much more.  There are a number of books out on sewing accessories and quite a few sites on the topic as well.  Barb