An 1863 Embroidered-Ticking Notecase

A charming drawstring bag stitched with silk threads and braids and a mysterious folded case with hidden embroidery from the nineteenth century inspired this re-creation that encourages you to add your own personal touch.

Read Coleen Formby's article "From Ticking to Treasure: Reimagining Victorian Embroidered Cases" to learn more about her collection and how she re-created the pattern.

Materials

• Medium-weight cotton ticking fabric, blue and white, 1 piece about 8" × 12" (20.3 × 30.5 cm) with the ticking stripes running horizontally
  
• Silk fabric for the lining (I used a patterned silk taffeta), 1 piece 7" × 11" (17.8 × 27.9 cm)
  
• Lightweight cotton batting, 1 piece 7" × 11" (17.8 × 27.9 cm)
  
• Thread for embroidery, about 2½ yd (2.3 m) each of14 different colors
  
• Braids, cords, and ribbons to fill the ticking stripes; no more than 1⁄8" (about 3 mm) wide (1⁄16" [2 mm] isbest to fit the ticking stripe), 5½–6 yd (5–5.5 m) total
  
• Braid to edge the sides and flap of the case, about 1⁄8" (3–4 mm) wide, 24" (61 cm)
  
• One small shank button for fastening, about ½" (1.3 cm)
  
• Small embroidery hoop, 6" or 7" (15.2–17.8 cm)
  
• Sewing thread, 100% cotton, to match the cords, braids, and ribbons
  
• Quilting thread to quilt the lining in either a matching or contrasting color (Because this is not a heavy fabric, regular cotton sewing thread is best.)
  
• Needles: size 8–9 embroidery needles; small handsewing needles (I used size 12 sharps.)
  
• Needle threader
  
• Erasable marking pen
  

Finished size: Opened, about 6" × 7" (15.2 × 17.8 cm); closed, about 6" × 4½" (15.2 × 11.4 cm).

Originally published in PieceWork Fall 2021.

About: Colleen Formby holds graduate degrees from Radford University and the University of Maryland. Before her retirement to Hot Springs, Arkansas, she was the manager of the Maryland History Room for the Prince George’s County Library System in Maryland.

All items in the library are intended for personal use. Please do not distribute without written approval.