Collectable needlework

Pincushions. Before machinery took over, pins were made by hand and were expensive. Men would set aside ‘pin money’ as an allowance for their wives’ sewing supplies. Look out for Layette pincushions made for new mothers on the birth of their baby with the baby’s name, birth date and messages spelt out with pins.

Thimbles. As well as being an essential safety item for a needleworker, from as early as the reign of Elizabeth I, they were recognised as decorative items. Ceramic and metal thimbles can be found at antiques fairs.

Sewing machines. Manual sewing machines made from the mid 19th to early 20th centuries can be highly decorative. It’s often possible to restore them to working order.

Buttons. Antique and vintage buttons are a popular collecting field, with people often using them for needlework projects or just displaying them in jars because they enjoy looking at them.