BigBook of Needlecraft 1936 Odhams Paterson Vintage Sewing Embroidery Guide Gift

Non-Fiction Subject: Crafts

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Big Book of Needlecraft 1936 Odhams Paterson Vintage Sewing Embroidery Guide

This is a vintage 1936 edition of The Big Book of Needlecraft, edited by Annie S. Paterson and published by Odhams Press Ltd. A comprehensive and richly illustrated guide, this classic instructional volume covers a wide range of traditional needlecrafts, dressmaking, and home sewing skills. It was one of the most beloved and enduring needlecraft manuals of the 20th century.

Printed in Great Britain, this edition is a true original from the preWWII era, with over 300 pages of techniques, patterns, and diagrams.

Product Details:

• Title: The Big Book of Needlecraft

• Editor: Annie S. Paterson, assisted by Sarah G. Service & Helen M. Paton

• Publisher: Odhams Press Ltd., London

• Printed in: Great Britain

• Date: Copyright 1936

• Binding: Hardcover, original green cloth with black title and motif

• Pages: 300+ pages (with 16 pages of halftone illustrations)

• Language: English

Contents Include:

• Needlework: Plain stitches, buttons, seams, smocking, and gathering

• Lingerie Making: Equipment, cutting, seams, embroidery, decoration

• Children’s Garments: Sewing and knitting guides

• Simple Dressmaking: Constructing garments, materials, techniques

• Cutting Garment Patterns: Measurements, adaptations, drafting

• Collar Alterations for Old Dresses

• How to Use Your Sewing Machine: Maintenance, attachments, advice

• Crochet & Knitting: With illustrated stitch guides

Illustrations:

• Includes detailed blackandwhite instructional diagrams (e.g., crochet stitches)

• One fullcolor frontispiece showcasing “Needlecraft in the Home”

Condition:

• Cover: Fair to good vintage condition. The original green cloth cover is faded at the spine, with some discoloration and light age wear across the boards.

• Binding: Intact and solid, pages securely bound.

• Pages: All present, tanned with age; light foxing visible on a few introductory pages. Interior is otherwise clean and very readable.

• No writing, tears, or annotations noted.

Historical Note:

The Big Book of Needlecraft became a household essential in Britain during the interwar years and beyond. It empowered home sewers with practical, accessible skills, often passed down generationally. This edition predates wartime rationing, providing a window into preWWII domestic craft culture. With contributions from several expert women in textile arts, the book reflects the era’s high standards of instructional publishing.

Why Collect This Book?

• Ideal for vintage sewing and embroidery enthusiasts

• Great reference or decor piece for a craft studio or sewing room

• Highly collectible edition from the 1930s

• A thoughtful gift for textile historians, crafters, or vintage lovers

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Note: Please inspect all photos for condition. This is a 1936 original vintage item with typical signs of age and wear, consistent with its age.