Sewing isn’t a hobby, it’s a survival skill
Imagine you are a soldier in George Washington’s army during the brutal winter of 1777-1778. The air is frigid, and snowflakes fall relentlessly, covering everything in a blanket of white. The cold gnaws at your bones, but it’s not just the weather you’re fighting. The army is suffering, deeply lacking in supplies, food, proper shelter, and even basic clothing. The tattered remnants of your uniform offer little protection from the biting wind, and you notice the holes growing bigger in your only pair of socks. To make matters worse, three buttons have just fallen off your coat, leaving it in an even more ragged state.
There are no tailors around to patch up your clothes, and no women to lend a hand with sewing. So, you reach into your kit and pull out your housewife—a small, practical sewing kit that you’ve carried with you since the start of the campaign. It’s a lifeline, and now it’s time to put it to work. You thread the needle carefully, your fingers stiff from the cold, and begin the slow process of mending what little you have. Each stitch is a small act of survival, a reminder that despite the hardships, you will continue to stand, to fight, and to endure.
The term “housewife” first appeared in print in 1749. Also known by various names such as huswife, huswif, hussif, or even hussy, the housewife was a practical sewing kit, typically crafted from fabric or leather. It featured multiple pockets and was secured with ribbon or string when rolled up. Inside, it contained essential sewing tools and notions, including snips, needles, thread, buttons, and measuring tape, among others. These humble kits have been a staple for soldiers since the 18th century, and some still carry them today. After all, a soldier’s world had to be compact, portable, and ready for anything.
Soldiers often honed their skills on the battlefield, but during times of recovery, wounded warriors began turning to needlework as a form of therapy, using it to pass the time and regain a sense of purpose while healing from their injuries. But how did these soldiers acquire the personal sewing kits that became so vital to their recovery? Originally, housewives were given as farewell gifts, tokens of care and practicality. By the 19th century, however, they became standard issue for each soldier. During World War II, women’s groups took up the cause, including these kits in their care packages sent to soldiers overseas.
Recently, a Marine serving in the Vietnam War recalled writing to his eleven-year-old sister, asking if she might help put together a few of these kits for him and his comrades. Six weeks later, his platoon received a large box from her school, containing nearly 200 housewives, each with a handwritten note from the child who had made it. The Marine reflected on how deeply touched he and his fellow platoon members were by the gesture, a small yet meaningful reminder of home and care. One of the more poignant stories the Marine shared involved a soldier who, while on patrol, had to stitch up a fellow soldier’s shrapnel wound using the tools from his housewife. In that moment, the kit was more than just a practical tool—it was a lifeline, a symbol of resourcefulness, and a reminder of the bonds forged in the most trying of circumstances.
The humble housewife, however, is not without its share of controversy. In 2019, the UK Minister of Defense sparked debate when he declared the term “housewife” outdated and no longer suitable. This decision was made stemming from accusations of sexism, as the military had used the term to refer to the small, practical sewing kits.
Although sewing kits remain available to soldiers through the military, they are no longer issued as standard equipment. These practical tools have become a rare and cherished item for collectors. Pook & Pook will be auctioning one such example. With embroidery showcasing the owners name and the phrases “Remember me”, “Forget me not” and “When you are far.” We invite you to take a moment to explore Lot 350 in our upcoming January Americana Sale, where you’ll have the chance to bid on a distinguished representation of a housewife, a testament to both history and craftsmanship.
by Erika Lombardo
-hylandhouse.org
-so-sew-easy.com
-civilwartalk.com
-emergingcivilwar.com
-independent.co.uk
-“Hard Tack and Coffee” by John D. Billings
