The ability to sew was a valuable skill for nearly everyone in the 18th century. Although we typically associate this skill with women, men developed basic skills for making repairs in clothing and in other applications involving cloth, canvas, or other similar materials.
The enslaved and lower working classes would use sewing to maintain the clothing they had due to hard work and the related wear and tears. The middling class would use it to repair as well as upgrade or modify garments to remain fashionable without the expense of purchasing anew. The upper classes would use it for decorative purposes to demonstrate their skill and sophistication. One of the most important skills as part of a finishing school for women will be to master embroidery stitches as demonstrated by a “sampler.”
In today’s world of reenacting, many enjoy the opportunity to occupy their time and demonstrate their skills by engaging in hand selling while at an event or historical site. As this was a skill most often practiced at home, portable sewing chests were quite rare. The wealthy might have a ladies worktable designed for sewing in their parlor. The middling and lower classes might have a simple basket or other container for their work and supplies.
I have taken advantage of a form known as a lady’s dressing box and added several features that would make it very useful and effective as a portable sewing chest. In addition to the extra compartments in the top section, a small block of wood with cushioning on top can be used as a “third hand” for running seams using the mass of the box for resistance. To improve this quality, leather feet with the rough side down are placed on the bottom to allow more friction between the box and a nearby table allowing for resistance without sliding.
This box is approximately 14 inches wide, 9 inches deep, and 7 inches tall and contains a locking drawer for larger and more modern items and an open top with compartments for smaller items and supplies. Many have found this to be an excellent addition to their presentation at events and historical sites as well as finding it very useful around the house.
