Before mobile phones and Netflix, people spent their evenings pursuing the arts, literature or hobbies. Edwardian English women (and those that preceded them) often sewed in the evening—whether practicing needlepoint, producing embroidery, or tending to the more mundane tasks of mending clothing. A stitcher's pins and needles needed a safe place to be stored—a place which would keep the points safely out of harm's way while making it easy to retrieve one when needed. Decorative "pin cushions" became popular. Sometimes novel pin cushions would be purchased as souvenirs or given as gifts.
The Edwardian English brass boot, shown above, comes complete with laces and a felt pin cushion. It might have sat in a day room or been kept in a sewing basket—ready to be pulled-out after dinner. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248