Our ancestral seamstresses and tailors did not have the convenience of buying thread already wound on spools at the Five & Dime. Instead, they purchased it in skeins, then transferred it to a thread winder, a small piece of wood, bone, ivory or mother-of-pearl, decoratively cut out into snowflake- like patterns.

Hand-Crafted Mother-of-Pearl Thread Winders

Mother-of-pearl adorned sewing boxes from the 18th century on through the 19th century. No discerning lady of the house could resist the deep iridescent glow of this gift of the ocean. Our rectangular silk winder is polished, scalloped, and decoratively engraved. Size varies slightly but averages 2" by 1 1/4".

#182-R2, 18.00 each

Square Mother-of-Pearl Thread Winders

The four leaves on our beautifully scalloped and beveled iridescent winder are polished to bring out the shell's pearly warm luster. Deep indents give you generous space for thread, while an ample sixteenth of an inch thickness guarantees years of use without appearing bulky. A darling component for your sewing basket, destined to becoming a treasured heirloom.

                               

#182-1375, Mother-of-Pearl Thread Winder,
approx. 1 3/8" square, 15.50 each