Make a Civil War Housewife--Free Pattern!

[@linkster57]

Nice job demonstrating. Calm knowledgable voice and no annoying music. 👍🏼

[@gracepatane9384]

Thank You for the free pattern! You did a great job!!

[@ilikeamongus1576]

Had a wonderful time following your tutorial as I made one for a friend of mine. He's Irish and wanted one to reflect on his heritage, green plaid. Turned out wonderfully! Most pleased we both are and looking forward to viewing more of your tutorials in the future.

[@irishflutegirl9022]

Update! 💕 I just completed my housewife ...I hand sewed it to make it more authentic lol....even the button hole ! I used vintage fabrics in flowered pinks and some red polka dots....it turned out so adorable and so functional. I put in 4 pockets instead of 3 and a little piece of felt sewn in one of the creases for a needle book... soooo....mine holds small scissors, thread, beeswax, pins and needles, a tape measure, Taylor chalk., a small seam ripper, a bodkin, thimble, a few buttons , a small pencil, needle threader...yay 🥳. I did raise the button so i could fit in more into the pockets. Works like a charm . I still have a little room still ! This is the sweetest thing and i love it, thanks again for the pattern and tutorial , much appreciated. Can you tell I’m lonely and been in Covid lockdown way too long going into our 6th week here in Manitoba Canada. Good things come out of hardship, never thought I would get back into sewing. It’s very therapeutic. 😃

[@suzannecooke2055]

You know - they had sewing machines in 1862,

[@suzannecooke2055]

Great pattern and directions. I made mine with a wrap-around flap with a button-hole end. This makes it perfect for hanging open on a convenient nail or twig/branch. Those pockets are great to hold a CDV photo of loved ones too.

[@theresazelazny7445]

A refinement? Clip the curved end for a smoother rounder edge to the top flap. Also instead of a button hole, sew a loop of fabric into the rounded seam to hold the button. Or, why not sew the button hole before attaching the pockets? I missed seeing how you sewed the button hole by hand. I liked the clarity of what you showed though. Keep up the good work.

[@alexreywils]

Great tutorial! Thank you for sharing! I added a drawstring pocket to the bottom of mine for my bulkier items. :)

[@catincj5162]

Absolutely fantastic. A serendipitous find, I didn’t even know I was looking for! Exactly what I needed. Thank you for such great instructions and pattern.

[@SurvivingAz]

Great video! I was looking for one of these to make for myself for my work bag for emergency repairs on duty. After making mine today I’ve decided I’m going to order a few yards of material and 550 cord to make about forty more of these for my officers at work as Christmas gifts! Thank you!

[@Milovaig]

Great video - really clear and helpful instructions. And a free pattern! Thanks

[@justinleerhoff5869]

Great video as always! Definitely going to add this to my to do list of all the other things I'm making for reenacting, hopefully finishing them all before next season starts!

[@irishflutegirl9022]

Fabulous I’m going to hand sew one this weekend. Super cute. Great tutorial Thank you !

[@HearthandSickle]

I’m a Civilian reenactor based in Nevada. We are using the pattern to make housewives as a part of a welcome kit to new recruits and for the soldiers in our group who don’t have one. It is possible to it by hand as well. Thank you for sharing it. B

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

That's fantastic!

[@mocorabbit8968]

That is a fantastic idea to welcome newbies; and a good introduction to the hobby, too; Welcome, here's your repair kit.... you'll need that :D

[@anitamorrison5426]

I have my housewife from the navy. It has wings on the side which fold over pockets then its rolled up and tied. It has thread (black & white) needles pins buttons bees wax & thumb bulb. Small compact and i still use it but have add some coloured thread and a few different buttons but white ones are great for missing blouse/shirt buttons.

[@indymaiden9426]

Great video! Made mine today using your instructions, and I think it turned out great! Thanks for all the effort and commitment you put in to the channel and hobby. Not just for your unit, but others as well... Hats off to the 2nd USSS! Huz-zah! Huz-zah! Huz-zuh!

[@bestcrossroad]

Impressive!

[@gaylebranger902]

Pattern is not available.

[@pinklickpony7162]

I cant find the pattern anywhere.

[@barrybowden5778]

Would this have been larger to hold a toothbrush, comb, soap and straight razor in addition to other items?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Great question. It seems the housewife during the Civil War was strictly for sewing items. In WWI, you see a lot of exactly what you're talking about. The Brits had just what you described, however the items were held in a strip of fabric stitched to have slots...kind of like a tool roll. When I was France last summer, I took lots of pictures of WWI housewife style kits, hoping to find documentation for a Civil War equivalent. So far, I haven't. Most CW soldier items were kept in various poke sacks. In case you're curious, the coolest bit of soldier sewing kit I wish existed during the CW was the WWI French Bobbin. I bought one at the Somme, it's worth a google.

[@Countrylivinhistory]

did they have any of the house wires made from leather

[@user-bw2cr9qo9b]

Good question! I imagine my boyfriend may like something like that for his guitar picks and slide tools & etc. Perhaps even a faux leather (pleather).

[@TXCannoli]

Could you stich seams to better fold it into itself or would that not be period correct?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

I suppose you could. These were all handmade by thousands of volunteers and family members. I don't see it non being correct. The variations are almost limitless. Good question.

[@FloridaDumpling]

What is this thing called a "sewing machine"...?

[@suzannecooke2055]

In the 1860s consumers began purchasing them, and the machines-ranging in price from £6 to £15 in Britain depending on features-became very common in middle-class homes.

[@christenagervais7303]

Thank you for clarifying where to find it on the site! Nice pattern!