For a thread based Civil War item this housewife is in very good condition.  It does show signs of wear, but all fabric pieces are intact. It is missing its original sewing implements, but red fabric squares for uniform or miscellaneous repair are still present in the item.

The housewife is made of cotton with a brown plaid on the inside.  Completely unrolled it measures 10½” (from closure tip to base) x 3 ½.” There is an inside pocket that would have housed additional sewing tools. It does retain its original ties.

Soldiers were often sent into service with a housewife that was typically hand or machine sewn by their mother, sister, or sweetheart.  These items were small so they could be rolled up and carried throughout service for uniform or other repairs.  This particular one was machine sewn; stitching is tight.   This a good example for a collector looking for items from a soldier’s life.    [mk]

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