Needle Books

LCHS Collection of needle books

Needle books, popular from the 1800s to around 1950, were small paper folders containing needles. Used widely due to common sewing and mending activities in almost all homes, needle books often featured images of women and girls sewing together, known as "Sewing Susan”, and served as promotional gifts. Notable examples of these popular promotional gifts and advertising premiums include a Woolworth building rendering by Louis Wolchonok on a needle book from 1945-1955. Typically printed in Germany or Japan, these books showcase a culture where sewing was prevalent and commonly included colorful foil swatches and needle threaders.