How to Make an 18th Century "Hussif" or Housewife | Sewing by Hand

[@elisabethm9655]

Oh my...this one brings back such memories. As an art teacher in a private girl’s school, I also created a kit, using the old plaid school uniform fabrics and used it to teach basic stitches. The girls who completed the project ended up with a useful kit they’d made themselves, and furthermore it transformed their long loathed school plaid into a memento piece they had long after graduation.

[@WilloughbyRose]

That's so wonderful!

[@DamesalaMode]

I have SO MANY COMMENTS! 1. Someone was keeping jewelry in one?! HOW HAVE I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THIS. Gotta try to figure out how to make a special one designed for just jewelry! 2. This seems like the best project ever for someone who wants to learn how to sew! So many different techniques but nothing so big as to be disheartening! 3. I finally know what to do with all my scraps! 4. Quality blooper content lol!

[@WilloughbyRose]

Oh man there’s so many instances where people kept the most random stuff in these! Totally recommend one for jewelry... maybe silk with the pockets lined in wool to protect the sparkles? 🤔 Thanks so much! ❤️❤️❤️

[@DamesalaMode]

@@WilloughbyRose Yeah it would almost need to have a batting layer in there to give it a little more fluff for protection. My wheels are turning!

[@SirFrederick]

I'm the only person in my Regiment has one of these in my Haversack/knapsack. I tend be sewing a lot of buttons back on or fixing uniforms at events

[@WilloughbyRose]

Everyone needs one of these! I frequently put out more gentlemen/regiment friendly versions of my kits on my website, so you could always point your cohorts there and have them sew their own buttons. 😆

[@Pork-and-Beans]

😂👍👍

[@valleriejoy]

I never knew that the proper name for a sewing kit is hussif, which is a word I’d never heard before.

[@cindyantonsen1378]

I like 18th century ‘things’ so when I saw this tutorial I thought I’d try to make this the ‘old fashioned’ by hand. I’m not real good with hand sewing but I surprised even surprised myself it looks pretty good and bought special things to put in it Thanks for the help!

[@turtletaurus1995]

I'm watching this while I wait for my car to be fixed and wishing I had one so I could sew on the go! 😂

[@insidiouschaos812]

"I am nothing if not dramatic" ooooh i felt that in my s o u l. I knew i wanted to make one of these but now i *know*

[@WilloughbyRose]

Haha that's amazing, thank you!

[@tabitha.blueladyhaney9259]

definitely going on the "to-do" list. So cute!

[@WilloughbyRose]

Have fun!

[@misswazzra]

Same for me! I’ve been collecting my cabbage for it :)

[@MelissaElsworth]

I have your kit and was delaying starting it because my brain wasn’t getting the instructions right. This video made everything click! Thank you so much for it. Please keep it available for ages. I’m a slow hand sewing person.

[@WilloughbyRose]

You are so welcome! This will absolutely stay up indefinitely and I hope you do find it useful when you get started. 😃

[@katiemoss7578]

I need to make myself one of these and then probably some for all of my friends who sew

[@WilloughbyRose]

Good idea! They're a great gift

[@lolajl]

Ssssshhhh ... Christmas gifts for the ladies and young gals in my friends-family!

[@sarahmcmullen5938]

I just bought a tin of 100 of these tiny binding clips on Amazon for like $12. They're great!

[@WilloughbyRose]

Nice! I definitely need more

[@seaneenwilson594]

Thank you so much for this video. I just purchased your pattern and now feel confident I will be able to make the hussif! I haven't sewed in years, but now that I am retired I decided to take it up again.

[@sarahmcmullen5938]

Oh my, I definitely need to make one of these now! I have a bunch of "precious" fabric cabbage I've been saving for one reason or another... and some wool from a skirt my grandmother made me. It's settled... I'm making this as my #cocovid souvenir!

[@WilloughbyRose]

Wonderful! That's a great idea!

[@jennylafleur]

I didn't think I needed one of these before I watched this video. Dang it! I love the idea of using it as a pocket organizer at events. I'm always searching for the emergency bobby pins, safety pins and bandaids I throw last minute in my big pocket. It's now officially on the to-do list - I just need to browse your kit options!

[@WilloughbyRose]

They're so undervalued, for real. I'm going to do a new run of kits after a quick break so let me know what you might be into. 😀 Thanks so much ♥️

[@ej075]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I've been wanting to make a hussif for a while now, but all the instructions I've veer found were some variation of "just make a roll with pockets." I'm still very much a novice, and I needed this video!

[@WilloughbyRose]

You are so welcome!

[@allinielsen9080]

"If it's not perfect, that's ok!"

[@WilloughbyRose]

Thank you so much! ❤️ ❤️ Make ALL the hussifs. I like having different ones for different uses, too.

[@thebratqueen]

Thank you for this. I liked how you included explanations of what you were doing down to stitch length and seams. That makes it very helpful for making your own. Or trying to, in my case :D

[@WilloughbyRose]

You are so welcome!

[@billsluyter4664]

After watching your video four to five times I finally got brave and pulled out a needle, thread and scissors. Starting with a heavy curtain that was being thrown out I took out some vintage cloth shears and a pocket knife and set to stripping the cloth. A day later, mistakes were made, I have my fist Hussif. This was intended to be a working prototype. Every mistake in stitch and cut was more I learned. I can see every mistake I made, but my wife gave me directions on what she wants me to do to make her one. Thank you for the great instructional videos.

[@WilloughbyRose]

That's so great! Mistakes are useful learning tools, for sure. Thank you!

[@laartje24]

This made for a great scrap fabric project on a lazy afternoon.

[@WilloughbyRose]

Awesome!

[@aprilmunday1152]

That's a gorgeous object. Thank you for showing us how to make one.

[@WilloughbyRose]

You are so welcome!

[@karynpitman-vo3ib]

Well done, so engaging, beautifully done

[@debbralehrman5957]

I am so glad to meet you from watching you do 20 question.

[@veemcg3682]

This is lovely, thank you so much. I love handsewing so I really would love you to show more little sewing projects we can make by hand. I do have a machine but a needle and thread is more fun and more portable.

[@ariadneferreira2252]

This is such an amazing tutorial!! Thank you so much for this video!!! I will definitely be making one!! ♥️💕🤩

[@gingerbosslady]

Love the combination of all the different patterns in one project. Especially with that yummy red backing.

[@WilloughbyRose]

Thanks so much!

[@maryellenkosydar2828]

Wonderfully explained with some humor too! How do you finish off the corners along the long ends of the binding. That wasn't shown. Also, I watched/listened the first time. Watched and sewed the second time. And still can't find the code. EDIT: Found it! I stopped sewing and following the demo and just looked.

[@WilloughbyRose]

Alas, I knew I forgot to include something! You basically fold under the ends and whip stitch them. I'll post a picture on my instagram for clarification as soon as I get a chance. Glad you found the badge!

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

I am totally adding one of these to my garb! And maybe making one as a gift for a friend who does cross-stitch... Thank you!

[@tdorn20000]

I didn't make one exactly like this, but i did use your vid as a guideline for my own construction. It really was one of my favorite stash busters.

[@WilloughbyRose]

That is awesome! They're super simple and fun

[@diaryofadressmaker]

The perfect little hand sewing project to do while watching all the CoCoVid videos this weekend!

[@WilloughbyRose]

Yes, that's a great idea! Thanks so much

[@CraftsyPenguin]

yay, that was fun! Looking forward to checking your previous videos, I really like the way you talk us through the process :) (And love the fun scenes at the end.)

[@WilloughbyRose]

Thank you so much 😊

[@beth7467]

I bought this pattern a few days ago and had lots of fun making my very own hussif. I mostly sewed it on my machine, and it came out great. Wish I could post a photo of it for you here. Thanks so much for the clear pattern and tutorial! A good project for newer sewists like me.

[@WilloughbyRose]

That’s so awesome-I’m glad you enjoyed it! If you have Instagram I’ve been sharing all the hussifs people are making on my stories. Thanks so much!

[@beth7467]

@@WilloughbyRose Sadly, no Instagram.

[@caitlinsimpson3510]

"if it's not perfect, oh well!" is my life motto :) Great video, thanks for posting!

[@WilloughbyRose]

So true! Thanks! ❤️

[@lamoinette23]

mine just came in the mail! it's so sweet! can't wait to get started.. thank you!

[@selkiemorien9006]

It looks a little like those roll-up wash bags. Very pretty and useful beginner project :D

[@gloriabond9008]

Beautiful. I'm really inspired to make one. Thanks for the video.

[@angelagontczaruk3374]

This was excellent- i'd like to see what size/dimensions you used for your materials. i like that you told us stitching style and stitches per inch you used and why. i ADORE the patterns on the materials you used.

[@radhasrinivasan203]

Excellent. You have made it so simple to follow and make .thank you so much :)

[@ejk872]

That was so fun to watch. I love watching the bits of cloth scraps come together into a very useful and beautiful functioning sewing kit through your hand stitching. I like to sew with a machine but I think I will try to do more by hand. I would love to see more hand stitching projects...wink.... Also I would love to see how you equip your housewife, like what sewing items did you put into it.

[@dpr6582]

I still have the one I made when I first started but yours are so much prettier, I think it's time I made another one.

[@WilloughbyRose]

Good luck! Thanks so much for watching.

[@redyjennyroyal9408]

How cute! Why have I never heard of these before?! Now on my To-Do list

[@WilloughbyRose]

Thanks! They are so, so undervalued in my opinion.

[@sc0ttishlass]

Beautiful and definitely something I will make for some sewing friends for Christmas.

[@WilloughbyRose]

What a lovely idea!

[@deanndubois3738]

That was a good idea. I need one of them

[@fleamag]

I LOVED this! Thank you so much for taking the time to show us how to make one! I’m currently digging through cabbage!!

[@WilloughbyRose]

You are so welcome! Good luck when you get to it!

[@944gemma]

Love your videos. Well done and well explained. Appreciate your common sense approach.

[@jenhaynes4773]

Just finished your kit, lumpy bumpy, but fun & easy enough that I'm willing to try again! 👍

[@deannastevens1217]

I'm so glad you did this video. I want to make this. I've been interested for a few months. Just need the time.. THANK YOU.

[@WilloughbyRose]

You're most welcome! I hope you enjoy the project

[@rinajoy9284]

I love your Fabric!

[@cheerful_something_something]

Nothing if not dramatic! I lvoe it, very cute, and very practical. Wonderful : )

[@WilloughbyRose]

Glad you like it! Thanks!

[@shanniebaby75]

My kit just arrived! I can't wait to start!

[@WilloughbyRose]

Best of luck!

[@bookhoarding]

This is sooooo helpful! I’ve seen people post finished versions but always wondered how to actually put it together. Thank you so much for this.

[@WilloughbyRose]

You're so welcome!

[@barbaraleaweaver-mercado1820]

Thank you for this. Glad you are in Cocovid so I could find your channel.

[@WilloughbyRose]

Thanks for coming by!!!

[@SwimminginaSeaofEstrogen]

Okay, snapping with your thimble on was awesome! :-D Thank you for the tutorial!

[@WilloughbyRose]

Thanks, Amy! You are most welcome.

[@Crafteliz]

This is such a cute project! I think I'll make one when I have enough scrap fabric to do it, thank you for the tutorial/guide! (Also your cocovid badge is really hecking cute.)

[@WilloughbyRose]

Have fun when you get to it! Also, thank you--I very much enjoy bad puns. 😆

[@KellyAK]

Absolutely going to be making one of these!

[@a-9524]

I've already got the perfect fabric for this. I think this might be my next project :)

[@WilloughbyRose]

Hope you enjoy making it!

[@tarabound]

That's so pretty and crisps looking.

[@WilloughbyRose]

Thank you!

[@WhiteHeather82]

Totally making one of these with all my Felicity scraps!

[@WilloughbyRose]

Excellent! Same 😆

[@tashinagraves791]

I'm about to present/demo on housewives next week for my local costume group. I guess it's the thing right now. I already have one I made from one of your kits that I use all the time for my hand sewing stuff. I'm probably going to show the group machine methods for later/modern versions as well as talk about hand sewing it and send the hand sewers your way.

[@WilloughbyRose]

Good luck!

[@lindabloom6666]

Thank you so much for this! I'm going to make them for Christmas gifts.

[@WilloughbyRose]

Thats an awesome idea!

[@reginabouleysweeten9994]

I've been wanting to make a housewife, and you've made it look so easy! What a great way to use scraps.

[@WilloughbyRose]

Glad it was helpful! It's such a quick and simple project.

[@TreScotts1Fan]

Thanks. Will definitely recreate one when I'm not jumping from cocovid video to covovid video. Haha

[@WilloughbyRose]

Thank you, I hope this helps when you get started!

[@joelleburdette642]

I bought one of your kits months ago and fully intend to make it soon. Thank you for the tutorial!

[@WilloughbyRose]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@LauraIngallsGunn]

Absolutely charming! I'll be cutting out pieces of fabric very soon. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@WilloughbyRose]

Have fun! I'm so pleased you enjoyed it.

[@MelissaKollerW]

This was wonderful! Thank you! I am saving scraps of wool and my best cotton to make my own!

[@WilloughbyRose]

Great! Thanks so much!

[@onemoreteaspooncreative7398]

Thank you for this video! Looks like a must-have. Definitely my next quick make!

[@WilloughbyRose]

Happy to help! Good luck!

[@lorim6116]

Keeping an eye out for the pattern!

[@WilloughbyRose]

Coming tomorrow August 9th!

[@DreamingDragon37]

I've been wanting to make one so thanks for the tutorial

[@WilloughbyRose]

You’re welcome! 😊

[@evamuhlhause]

Beautiful, I would love to see one all loaded up so to speak.

[@WilloughbyRose]

On it!

[@rebeccacuthbertson1271]

This is adorable and perfect to practice sewing (hand or machine! but both honestly)!! Wish I had more fabric to make one! #newsewerproblems #nofabric #nocabbage

[@WilloughbyRose]

No cabbage?! What an amazing problem to have. 😆 I have way, way too much.

[@rebeccacuthbertson1271]

@@WilloughbyRose 😂😂😂 well it's cuz I have almost no fabric to begin with 😂😂😂 I'm sure I'll have some soon enough. Almost done making some athletic tank tops and got some cotton to make pj pants for my husband and I so I'm sure there will be some by the end of these 😂😬😂

[@espere_]

This is such a cute little project. I appreciate you including links to extant examples in the description box. I just started following you a few weeks ago - I had no idea you sold kits! I am definitely going to have to get a kit soon.

[@WilloughbyRose]

There are so many more extants out there, too! I love them. Thanks so much!

[@CottageTales]

Love it! Really great video and so good to actually see how it's done!

[@WilloughbyRose]

Thanks so much!

[@ChrystalCienfuegos]

Beautiful Housewife!! well done!

[@servinglooks247]

Defenetely going to make one someday

[@WilloughbyRose]

Excellent!

[@iasonshade1724]

Well I know what I'm doing when I finish the masks I still need to make! Great tutorial for an amazingly useful historical accessory! Artfully, Iason

[@WilloughbyRose]

Awesome, thank you!

[@CarolineWoodbridge]

It’s too short to roll up, once stuffed. You need to allow for the room. Add in 1-1.5” between each pocket . Beautiful stitching!!

[@Shan-flan]

Beautifully done,thank you :)

[@LisaLisa-zl9vu]

Great tutorial. How did you finish the bottom corners? Any mitres or just fold the edge to clean it up?

[@Kylla8]

I hem and haw about making one. I'm now inspired to do so because it's a good little handsewing project to watch videos. ;)

[@WilloughbyRose]

Go for it!

[@seamlyshenanigans861]

I feel so odd now! 🤣 Felling down binding is one of my favorite things to do! Edit: I’m making one now, btw!

[@WilloughbyRose]

I like it for a few minutes but then I get antsy 😂

[@lungsnlipslockd]

love this! and yours came out so cute! I love the fabrics you used.

[@WilloughbyRose]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@Alaskaraised]

This is really great! The history is incredible! Just curious, why are you using a whip stitch to sew the pockets and not a backstitch?

[@arimurila]

It's so pretty! I love it.

[@WilloughbyRose]

Thank you! 😊

[@SarahBent]

I've been waiting for this! I want to make one but am.not sure what all goes in.

[@WilloughbyRose]

Hopefully this helps! If not, I have kits on my website and a digital download pattern coming ASAP.

[@kailimaasikmae7399]

Nice instructional video! But I admire the gorgeous light translucent fabric in the background that I just need! Is it an apron or a skirt? Can this fabric still be on sale somewhere?

[@rosatay561]

Amazing

[@sandradearing604]

ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL!

[@barefacedquestions]

For the pocket pieces, am I supposed to hem all 4 sides? I only saw you do one side in this video, so I 'd like to make sure.

[@lizziedawson4941]

Such a great video! I was wondering @3:00 you talk about the two different methods for holding the work and direction of the needle. I have been told this as well but don't know the original research source. I find it fascinating. Could you tell me your source? X

[@julianhahn01]

Question: why do we use the whip stitch to secure the pockets instead of a backstitch? just preference?

[@WilloughbyRose]

Totally preference. I’ve seen both in extants!

[@KimmiMorningstar]

I need to make one of these 😅

[@barefacedquestions]

Hi. Was the binding you used just a regular piece of fabric? I mean, it's not the single or double fold bias tapes that we have nowadays?

[@WilloughbyRose]

Hi! It’s just a straight piece of fabric. You can definitely use bias tape, though!

[@caroldurst1855]

Just discovered your channel...where do you get your lovely fabrics? Thank you🥰

[@WilloughbyRose]

Burnley & trowbridge and colonial Williamsburg :)

[@carolilseanne2175]

It's NOT an outdated term, it's used in our Military, my husband had one in the late 1970s!

[@rubyred2468]

Beautiful but isn’t the seam allowance left raw inside the pockets or did I miss something?

[@WilloughbyRose]

It is! There is another method that includes covering the pocket ends with tape, but this is a simplified way to do it that yields similar results. So far, I haven't had any issues with the raw pocket interior.

[@tarheeltiger]

I'm definitely adding this to my to-do list of projects! Did you pull out the basting stitch on the straight edge of the rounded piece? If so, is that edge not otherwise secured?

[@WilloughbyRose]

I did pull the basting out, yes, but it's still secure. Th straight edge of the rounded pice is whipped down to the lining and the rest is encased in the binding. I'm sorry this wasn't clear!

[@tarheeltiger]

@@WilloughbyRose You did fine! When I watched through again, I caught it. Somehow missed it on the first watch.

[@TheMissPiplup]

Are there any fabrics that are better suited to making hussifs?

[@WilloughbyRose]

Anything works! I prefer printed cotton but silk is really gorgeous, especially if you individually line and bind the pockets. I’ll be doing another tutorial on how to do that version in the future.

[@NorthernHedgeWitch]

Will you be restocking the kits soon? I would love to buy one

[@WilloughbyRose]

I restocked yesterday and will be adding more over the next week. Thanks so much!

[@NorthernHedgeWitch]

Willoughby & Rose I have my eye of Hedgewitch but Luna looks nice too!!

[@lindsey7276]

I love this! Thanks for the tutorial :) I was just looking for a simple(ish) hand sewing project to get used to my first thimble. So cute and practical! Would you recommend cotton over linen for this project?

[@WilloughbyRose]

Printed cotton is easier! Both are great, though, so you could always mix and match. :)

[@ThatGirlWithTheCoffee]

I'm want to make this now, but as I also find binding to be The Devil's Work, and the worst part of any project, I may just place the lining over the outside right sides together and backstitch it except for the straight end, then bag it out and hem the bottom edge. However, I'm worried that even if I understitch this for security, it will come undone with wear and tear. Is it worth the intense pain of sewing binding because this project will be a highly handled and moved piece?

[@WilloughbyRose]

I’d be really curious to see how bag lining works here! That said, I think binding is worth it-maybe just do a quick version? I don’t always backstitch one side and then slip stitch the other. Sometimes I just use cotton tape and whip it on for both sides, which is a lot faster.