• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
House of Hawthornes
  • DIY
  • Gardening
  • Budget Decor
  • Thrifting
  • Seasonal
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • DIY
  • Gardening
  • Decorating
  • Thrifting
  • Seasonal
  • 🛒 Our Amazon Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Vintage

    Vintage Needle Books

    Published by Pam Kessler | 388 words. · About 2 minutes to read this article. - 19 Comments

    Last week for Colorado Lady's Vintage Thingie Thursday I showed you my vintage postcard collection. Today I'm making good on my promise/threat and showing you my needle book collection. I'll show you all three at once though instead of dragging it out for three days since there isn't a lot of things to say about them - it's mainly eye candy.

    I just love the graphics on these things. They remind me of my vintage postcards.


    I found this one in my mother's sewing machine cabinet and it started my quest for other needle books.


    These women helping each other sew cracks me up. I don't think I have ever sewn with a group of people. OK, I know I have never sewn with a group of people. I guess times were different then.

    "Oh, let me help you thread that needle Sally."

    "Thanks Betty, who shapes your eyebrows for you?"


    Needle books held different sized needles along with a needle threader thingie. I thought that maybe there was a technical name for the needle threader, so I Googled it, but alas that is really the name.


    I bought the next two booklets at a garage sale this year. I think I only paid a dollar for each.

    I like the non-sewing graphics on this one. Airplanes on one side and


    a boat on the other.

    Airplanes and boats seem like a strange marketing design for selling needles though. My theory is that maybe they thought airplanes go fast and boats glide through the water so therefore the needles will slide through the fabric quickly and easily??? Or maybe it's because you could take these books on a trip with you?


    Not a lot of needles left, but it does have the needle threader thing.


    And the needles were hardened in oil, whatever that's supposed to mean.


    Doesn't this one have awesome space age graphics?


    Again, not sure what rockets have to do with needles, but I love the guy and his gal sitting on the rocket with her handbag flying behind her. It's so 1940's.


    This one had quite a few needles left. Not that I would ever use them because these books are normally framed and hanging in my family room. If I ever have a freak needle crisis I guess I could unframe them again.

    « Painted Console Table
    Weekend Garage Sale Finds aka An Episode Of Hoarders »
    525 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. NanaDiana

      July 29, 2010 at 7:40 am

      Those bring back memories-I have a couple of these stashed with my sewing stuff-they were in my grandmother's sewing cabinet. How fun that you have a collection of them!

      Reply
      • Joyce in NM

        January 02, 2023 at 9:51 am

        These are great. I have some from the 1980's but no antiques. I joined a quilt guild in the 80's. I have been a part of several quilt bees and one embroidery group. Sitting and stitching while visiting with others and learning/teaching one another is a special friendship that surpasses the stitching

        Reply
    2. Karen

      July 29, 2010 at 7:45 am

      Love your posting! I started laughing out loud over your comment about the eyebrows!! ROFL!!
      My mother-in-law belonged to a sewing club. I think all of the women started out with needles projects, but as the years passed, it was just a gab session. They enjoyed it and met every Friday afternoon for 40+ years.
      Can't imagine trying to thread a needle without a Sewing Betty. Thank you, Betty!!
      Have a great day,
      Karen
      Ladybug Creek

      Reply
    3. Blue Ridge Altered Art

      July 29, 2010 at 7:50 am

      What a nice collection. I beleive a lot of these were given out my companies and stores as a free gift. Maybe the airplane and boat one was something that was in their rooms on boats and the airplane one might have been in a packet for airplane trips. I have seen some that have advertisements on them for banks and grocery stores. Somewhere I saw an article about them. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    4. colorchic

      July 29, 2010 at 8:59 am

      Awesome collection. Love the artwork... makes doing needlework fun!

      Reply
    5. Diann

      July 29, 2010 at 10:06 am

      These are wonderful finds! What a great collection you have!

      Reply
    6. [email protected] to Charm

      July 29, 2010 at 10:07 am

      What a funny post! I can't imagine why a rocket would be on the package. Unless everybody then were drawn to anything with rockets on it. But of course, you'll want to bring them on your cruise, in case a button pops off while playing shuffle board. lol. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    7. Confessions of a Plate Addict

      July 29, 2010 at 12:31 pm

      How fun! I had one of my mom's. Now where did it go? I hope you are having a great week!...hugs...Debbie

      Reply
    8. Olive Cooper

      July 29, 2010 at 1:10 pm

      Pam, I love them. You have very interesting collections. hugs♥olive

      Reply
    9. Postcardy

      July 29, 2010 at 3:48 pm

      I like the graphics on the needle books. They put so many needles in most of those that most people would never use them up in a lifetime.

      Reply
    10. LV

      July 29, 2010 at 7:12 pm

      I have one or two like yours. Some of the ones you shared, I have not seen before. You have a nice collection.

      Reply
    11. Vonlipi

      July 29, 2010 at 7:18 pm

      I don't have any needle books. 🙁

      Yours are very nice1 Thank you for sharing!

      Happy VTT!

      Reply
    12. Maureen

      July 29, 2010 at 10:34 pm

      You crack me up! Good 'color commentary'!

      I have one very similar to the eyebrow discussion card but not exactly the same. Would this not be called a sewing bee? I don't really know!

      Reply
    13. Miri

      July 30, 2010 at 1:57 am

      Terrific post! I have never seen an Atomic needle book before...really terrific!

      Reply
    14. Kim

      July 30, 2010 at 8:14 am

      What a wonderful thing to collect! Since I'm a sewer, I think I'll be keeping my eye out for a couple of these. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
    15. Rachelle @ Adventures in Creating

      July 30, 2010 at 8:45 am

      What a neat collection. Love the commentary as well! Thanks for sharing it!

      Reply
    16. Coloradolady

      July 30, 2010 at 2:52 pm

      Great collection. I love all the needle books....they are great! My favorite is the Atomic needle book. Happy "late" VTT!

      Reply
    17. Deborah

      July 30, 2010 at 7:38 pm

      Love the books. I have several of my own because I love vintage sewing stuff. It is in my genes. My grandmother used to sew. I loved your commentary too 🙂

      Reply
    18. Sarah

      July 31, 2010 at 10:28 am

      Neat collection and funnt comments! Thanks for sharing!

      Happy (late) VTT!

      Sarah

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Learn how to create a budget friendly home you'll love using repurposed thrift store finds, easy DIY & craft projects and seasonal gardening tips.

    Trending Content:

    • DIY Industrial Pipe Shelves
    • How To Grow Peonies - A Complete Guide
    • How To Paint A Front Door Without Removing It
    • Homemade Squirrel Repellent Recipe
    • DIY Earring Holder
    • How to Make A Penny Bowling Ball
    • Top 10 Thrift Store Shopping Tips
    • Blueberry Crostata Recipe
    • How To Make Winter Porch Pots
    • How To Grow Hydrangea In Pots

    About Me

    Pam Kessler | Author of House Of Hawthornes

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Web Stories
    • Blog

    Let's Connect

    • Subscribe
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook

    Shop

    • Amazon Favorites
    • Shop The Look

    Please use appropriate safety precautions when attempting projects. All projects are attempted at the reader's own risk.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 House Of Hawthornes, LLC

    🍪 We use cookies to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    I Accept Read Privacy Notice
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled

    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

    Non Necessary

    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.