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.