This is a Fabulous C1850 Turkey Red Calico Sewing Roll Up or Pocket that is the definition of a fabulous piece of 19thC textiles. Sewing Roll Ups, or sometimes referred to as “Housewifs”, were usually a person’s hand sewn sewing accessory that would have housed a lady's sewing supplies such as needles, pins, thread, bobbins, thimble etc. All could be contained within and rolled up to be placed in a pocket or sewing basket.

All the calico print fabrics were naturally dyed Turkey Red and the binding is an unusual and rare naturally dyed cheddar yellow and brown cotton color. Each of the five pockets have hand woven drawstring ties, while the whole roll up is completely handstitched with tiny stitches.. The backing is also a Turkey red calico fabric with significant wear and damage to the fabric at the top quarter section. This is the part, after rolling the piece up, that would have been exposed to the outside.

All the red calico fabrics are a fabulous design and there are no holes to the front. The size is also dynamic measuring 18" long and 6 1/2 wide.