The cost of hand embroidery supplies in 1930
I don't know about you but I find it fascinating to see how the cost of hand embroidery supplies have changed over the years. When I saw a list of equipment and supplies in Helen Whiteford's school exercise book from the 1930's I wanted to share it with you.
The prices are given in sterling: in pounds, shillings and pence, the form of money we used here in the UK before decimalization in 1971.
A pound was made up of 20 shillings in 240 pennies. A shilling consisted of 12 pennies. A penny consisted of two halfpennies or four farthings.
The symbols used for this kind of money were £ for pounds, s. or /- for shillings and d for pennies.
Let's start with the tools and equipment that she lists...
| Tools and equipment | Cost |
| Pins | 2/10 a pound weight (almost 15 pence) |
| Needles | 4 to a 1/- packet (5 pence) |
| Thimbles - plastic | 1d |
| Thimbles - plated | 3d |
| Tape measures | 6d (about 2.5 pence) |
| Scissors - embroidery | 4/- or 6/- (20 or 30 pence) |
| Scissors - cutting out | 10/- (50 new pence) |
| Frame, round | 3/-, 4/- (15 or 20 pence) |
| Frame, square 20" | 13/4 (about 68 pence) |
| Pattern making paper, ruled 1/4" | 5/4 (about 28 pence) |
| Tracing paper | 5d a sheet (about 2.5 pence) |
| Indian ink | 1/4 for 1oz bottle |
| Fabrics | |
| Hessian 50" | 5/- to 6/- a yard (25-30 pence a yard) |
| Oatmeal cloth 50" | 8/6 (42.5 pence a yard) |
| Cotton crash | 4/- (20 pence a yard) |
| Hardanger | 6/- to 14/- (30 - 70 pence a yard) |
| Linen 36 to 72", white | 7/6 to 17/6 (35 - 87 pence) |
| Linen, dyed 36" | 10/6 (52.5 pence) |
| Unbleached calico, 36" | 4/6 (22.5 pence) |
| Canvas(various) | 3/- to 7/- (15 - 35 pence) |
| Gingham | 3/2 (16 pence) |
| Felt | 14/6 (72.5 pence) |
| Net | 6/- (30 pence) |
| Threads | |
| Clarks cotton, stranded | 4.5d a skein |
| Soft embroidery cotton | 4.5d a skein |
| Cotton a broder | 3d a skein |
| Embroidery wool, 4 ply | 3d a skein |
| Sewing cotton | 6d a reel |
| Tacking cotton | 2/2 a spool |
| Tape 36 yards | 1/5 |
| Bias binding | 1/5 |
| Coloured cord | from 2.5d a yard |
| Wooden beads 1/4 sq | 1/- each |
To put the prices of the hand embroidery supplies above into perspective, a weekly wage at this time may have been about 30/- (30 shillings or 30 'bob') which would now be £1.50.
Recent Articles
-
Needles
Jan 14, 20 04:50 AM
I am stitching on 18 count Aida and using 4/5 strands of floss for half cross using #26 needle, is there a better choice. This is a kit and needles keep
-
How to embroider by hand
Jan 06, 20 11:40 AM
Let me help you learn how to embroider, with step by steps and free designs to start you off.
-
What hand embroidery supplies do you need to get started?
Dec 28, 19 01:45 AM
What basic hand embroidery supplies do you need? I recommend the following - embroidery scissors, embroidery hoops, frames, stands, lights and magnifiers
-
Washing cross stitch projects
Dec 28, 19 01:36 AM
Tips and techniques for washing cross stitch, blackwork and hardanger needlework projects before framing
-
Learn stem stitch and variations
Dec 28, 19 01:25 AM
This stem stitch tutorial covers the basic stitch, raised stem and portuguese knotted stem. Videos explain how to work the stitches.
Some of the links on this site include affiliate links, providing Needlework Tips and Techniques a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Of course, you are not obligated to use these links to make a purchase, but if you do, it helps to support this site
NOTE:
Text and images contained within this site are not authorized to be traded, given, received or sold for points, gold coins or for any other form of monetary value.
Nor are they authorized to be placed on any website, book, magazine, page or forum.
Please respect my copyright.
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.