Make a CW Housewife...with FREE PATTERN!

     It amazes me how some of the most basic and common things in our hobby are un or underrepresented online.  Every reenactor needs a housewife for those necessary field repairs, so we decided to do a how-to and provide a free pattern for a basic housewife.  At Company D, we're all about compiling and providing research and information for our fellow reenactors, so please feel free to share this post.
     I had left over cotton drill from a couple of shelter halves I made recently and I used contrasting stitching for demonstration purposes.  These items are pretty much infinitely customizable so feel free to be as creative as historical authenticity allows.  I used an electric sewing machine because it's easy to light for photography in the craft room.  I also have a treadle sewing machine that works great and I also use to make these.  Of course, you can always hand stitch everything.  If you are using an electric machine, consider increasing your stitch length.  CW sewing machines didn't have quite the capacity to super fine stitch like modern ones.  I usually work at a 2.4 or 2.6 on my Janome.   

What you'll need:

• Our FREE PATTERN!  Printing tip:  Make sure your printing dialogue does not "fit to page."
• Sewing machine...you can hand sew if you like.  
• Fabric.  Cotton quilting squares are inexpensive and work nice if in they are in a period correct style pattern.
• Needle/thread for sewing button hole.  I tend to use waxed linen thread.
• Scissors
• Button
• Pins
• Iron & ironing board
• Various items to supply your new housewife!

How to do it:

1. Print and cut out our FREE PATTERN!
2. Cut out two large panels and three pockets.
3. On each pocket, press a 1/4 hem.  I mark a 1/2" line on the back of the pockets to give a guide to fold to as I press.
4. Using a zipper foot, edge stitch the hem to prevent fraying.  You can double roll the hem but you'll have to add 1/4" to the pocket pattern.  These were practical items and didn't need to be made to high-fashion sewing practices.
5. Using the pattern as a guide lay your top two pockets on the right side of one of your large panels.  Pin in place.  If you like measuring, the pockets are spaced 1/2" apart.
6. Top stitch the bottoms of the top two pockets in place using a zipper foot.  Stitch close to the edge to maximize pocket capacity.
7. Lay the third pocket in its place.
8. Taking the other large panel place on top of the other panel with pockets so that all right sides are facing together.
9. Pin in place.  Make sure to leave a gap in your stitching at the bottom of the housewife.  The type of material you are using may dictate how large the gap should be.  You will turn the housewife inside out through the gap in your stitching.
10. Using a regular foot, sew a 1/4" seam allowance around the housewife.
11. Shoving your fingers into the gap, try to reach the opposite side and pull it through the hole, turning everything right side out.
12. Using a pencil or edge turner, stick it through the hole and clean up your corners so they are crisp.
13. Press the housewife.  Make sure your seams are well aligned and that you press the hem where your hole is.
14. Using a zipper foot, top stitch/edge stitch all the way around the housewife.
15. Fold up your housewife, pressing as you go.
16. Mark, cut, and sew your buttonhole on your flap.
17. Mark your button location and sew on your button.  The button lines up inside the middle pocket, so make sure you don't accidentally stitch your pocket closed.
18. TOP TIP: If you plan on keeping a lot of stuff in your housewife, you may want to move your button further up to build in some expansion.
19. Fill up your housewife and put it to use!