About Antique and Vintage Sewing Tools

In addition to needle cases, scissors, thimbles, and pin cushions, other sewing tools such as rulers, bodkins, clamps, and thread winders can be highly collectible. The most valuable items in this genre date from the Victorian era, the heyday of sewing. Look for whole sets of items, often boxed in decorative sewing boxes or etui cases, and engraved items, which sometimes bear the name or initials of an affluent seamstress.


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Interviews & Articles

An Interview With Antique Sewing Machine Collector Harry Berzack

I work for a sewing machine distribution company that was started by my late father. We mainly distribute industria… [more]

An Interview With Antique Sewing Thimble Collector Sue Gowan

My husband, Mike, used to buy me pieces of china. One day he bought me a Jasperware blue Wedgwood thimble and I put… [more]

An Interview on Vintage Fashion, Sewing, and Aprons with Author Amy Karol

I think I started collecting vintage aprons seriously probably in 1991, my first year of college. I was an absolute… [more]

Guest Column: Collecting Vintage Sewing Patterns

Paper sewing patterns were first manufactured in the middle of the 1800s. These first paper patterns were designed … [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

The NeedleBar

The NeedleBar

A rich site showcasing the passion of a group of antique sewing machine collectors from around the globe. Features … [read review or visit site]

Sewing Machine Collector

Sewing Machine Collector

Geoff and Norma Dickens' reference site on vintage toy sewing machines from the late 1800s. Browse the images alpha… [read review or visit site]

Vintage Patterns

Vintage Patterns

Looking for some vintage patterns or style ideas? This Flickr photo pool, a group effort, showcases a huge collecti… [read review or visit site]

Thimbleselect of Australia

Thimbleselect of Australia

Sue Gowan's impressive thimbles reference database. Using the left-side navigation, choose 'Learn More About' and s… [read review or visit site]

Sensibility Vintage Images

Sensibility Vintage Images

An extensive collection of photos and ephemera illustrating changing fashion styles from 1795 to 1959. Includes por… [read review or visit site]


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Gorgeous Antique Art Glass Cased Darning Egg Darner$445.00 Ends Tuesday 12 bids 31 watchers
Antique Sterling & Leather Cased Sewing Set * Hlmk1902$275.00 Ends in 19 hours 10 bids 70 watchers
Antique Gold Pique Blond Shell Tatting Shuttle$227.50 Ends Wednesday 9 bids 41 watchers
Antique Solid Silver Needlework Chatelaine C1880$202.50 Ends Friday 12 bids 40 watchers
Dance Card Pearl Of Mother, Bone App 1820$89.00 Ends Wednesday 6 bids 33 watchers
Hat Block Top Hat/bowler Derby Etc Rare Size Combo/set $86.00 Ends Wednesday 6 bids 14 watchers
Rare Shape / Size C19th. Knitting Sheath$85.00 Ends Friday 4 bids 8 watchers
Unusual Antique Cased French Silver Sewing Set * C1900$79.00 Ends in 19 hours 11 bids 46 watchers
Antique Inlaid Horn Tatting Shuttle Lovely Bird$76.80 Ends Wednesday 7 bids 43 watchers
Fab Antique Lady's Companion Sterling Sewing Set *c1850$66.00 Ends Monday 3 bids 44 watchers
Hat Block Form Mold Millinery Rare Brim $58.57 Ends Wednesday 7 bids 33 watchers
Singer Featherweight 221 Sewing Table All Original$56.00 Ends Thursday 2 bids 15 watchers
Antique 221 Featherweight Singer Sewing Machine $52.51 Ends Thursday 3 bids 33 watchers
Antique French Silver Primroses Crochet Hook * C1890$52.00 Ends in 19 hours 10 bids 21 watchers
Antique Toy Sewing Machine Stitchwell Cast Iron W/ Box$51.02 Ends Wednesday 4 bids 21 watchers
Antique Leather Purse Sewing Set W/ Gilded Tools *c1870$50.99 Ends Monday 3 bids 40 watchers
Vintage Childrens Singer Sewing Machine/original Case $50.00 Ends in 12 hours 1 bid 9 watchers
Antique Scenic Cased Needlework / Sewing Set * C1900$50.00 Ends in 19 hours 4 bids 54 watchers
Nice Maple Singer Sewing Machine Cabinet 401a 503a 600s$49.99 Ends in 18 hours 1 bid 7 watchers
Antique Mother Of Pearl Silk / Thread Winder * C1850$48.00 Ends in 19 hours 6 bids 21 watchers
Antique English Steel Netting/ Pincushion Clamp * C1820$46.99 Ends in 19 hours 7 bids 40 watchers
Antique Continental Carved Wood Knitting Sheath * C1900$46.00 Ends in 19 hours 13 bids 26 watchers
Rare Sewing Clamp With Original Thimble *c.1800's$46.00 Ends in 9 hours 8 bids 18 watchers
Vintage Milliners Wood Hat Forms/blocks + Accessories$40.99 Ends Tuesday 4 bids 25 watchers
Antique Sewing Basket Buttons Darners Pin Cushions Kit$38.51 Ends Sunday 9 bids 24 watchers
Antique Bone Castle Tower Sewing Compendium$36.00 Ends Friday 13 bids 20 watchers
Antique Wood Sewing Clamp *c.1800's$31.35 Ends in 14 hours 2 bids 14 watchers
Antique Olive Wood Thread Barrel$30.04 Ends Wednesday 2 bids 14 watchers
Singer Sewing Machine Manual Original Puzzle Box 1900$30.00 Ends Wednesday 1 bid 7 watchers
Fancy Carved Antique Double Ended Emery * Circa1840$29.99 Ends in 19 hours 10 bids 46 watchers
Fabulous Antique Sterling Sewing Set *c.1900's$26.99 Ends in 8 hours 4 bids 11 watchers
Antique Sterling Top Strawberry Emery/needle Book*c1900$26.55 Ends Monday 4 bids 29 watchers
Vintage Singer Hinge Table Top Treadle Stand & Drawers$24.99 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 7 watchers
Baumanometer Desk Model 1920s Bloodpressure Tool Rare$24.99 Ends Thursday 1 bid 1 watcher
3 Antique Wooden Thread Winders$21.50 Ends Wednesday 5 bids 17 watchers
3 Different Vintage Tortoise Tatting Shuttles C1920-30$21.50 Ends in 19 hours 10 bids 44 watchers
Long Antique Simons Bros Sterling Silver Bodkin * C1900$20.55 Ends in 19 hours 7 bids 27 watchers
Lot Of Vintage Sewing Trims Edging + Many Yards$20.50 Ends Tuesday 6 bids 13 watchers
Vintage Sterling Tatting Shuttle Monogramed 2 3/4"$19.99 Ends Friday 1 bid 8 watchers
9 Vintage Darning Eggs Wood$19.99 Ends in 19 hours 1 bid 2 watchers
Antique Singer Treadle Sewing Machine Center Drawer$19.99 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 4 watchers
Early 1900s "shaker Sewing Basket W/ Original Contents"$19.99 Ends Thursday 1 bid 7 watchers
Vintage Singer Sewing Machine Pinker Pinking Tool!!!!$19.99 Ends Thursday 1 bid 12 watchers
5 Antique Mother Of Pearl Thread Winders-c.1700's$19.99 Ends Friday 1 bid 1 watcher
Beautiful Antique Agate Handled Crochet Hook * C1870$19.10 Ends Monday 2 bids 15 watchers
Intricately Carved Mother Of Pearl Thread Winder C 1850$17.50 Ends Wednesday 3 bids 24 watchers
Vintage Singer Featherweight Motor W/belt$16.49 Ends Wednesday 2 bids 14 watchers
Vintage Sewing Wood Thread Holder/pin Cushion 33 Spools$15.60 Ends Tuesday 3 bids 5 watchers
Vintage Sewing Items With Vintage Basket$15.50 Ends Tuesday 2 bids 2 watchers
Vintage Ceramic Scissors Wall Pocket$15.50 Ends in 10 hours 7 bids 3 watchers
~antique German Mourning Pins Original Textured Box~$15.00 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 9 watchers
Large Piece Of Barkcloth Hibiscus Fabric$14.99 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 5 watchers
Antique Primitive Sewing Wood Stitch/seam Remover-1881$14.99 Ends Thursday 1 bid 2 watchers
Vintage Box Firefly Cotton Mending Thread. Stockings. $14.27 Ends in 15 hours 5 bids 3 watchers
Large Lot Of Knitting Needles & Accessories Over 4 Lbs$14.00 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 17 watchers
30 Antique Continental Wooden Lace Bobbins * C1860-1900$13.49 Ends Monday 4 bids 22 watchers
Antique Stamped Leather Knife Box Needle Packet Case $13.26 Ends Friday 2 bids 10 watchers

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