For all lovers of craft, history and literature, the beauty of the Regency era is brought alive in Jennifer’s best selling book, Jane Austen’s Sewing Box. With craft projects set in their historical and literary context, women’s work of the Regency era is brought to the modern crafter in a new and innovative way.
18 projects including sewing, needlework, netting, painting, paper craft and knitting are drawn from Jane Austen’s novels. All projects are modelled on:
- the projects worked by Jane Austen’s characters in her novels,
- the work of her circle of acquaintance noted in her letters, and
- original objects from the Regency Era.
“My mother desires me to say that she will knit one for you, as soon as you return to chuse the colours & pattern.” Jane Austen to Cassandra Austen, 1807.
Each project is accompanied by extracts from Jane Austen’s novels, historical background explaining how and why women were making the item, full colour photographs and illustrated step by step instructions to allow you to easily make your own Regency inspired project.
“Yes, all of them I think. They all paint tables, cover screens and net purses.” Charles Bingley, Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen’s Sewing Box is published by Murdoch Books. Jane Austen’s Sewing Box can be found in all good book stores and ordered online from a range of book stores including Amazon and Indigo Books.
For a book synopsis download it in PDF here: Synopsis – Jane Austen’s Sewing Box.
I purchased your book at the Jane Austen Centre, mainly because I do a lot of knitting and crochet. It is such a beautiful book and I was so inspired by the projects that I made several of the items.
As a total sewing novice I found the diagrams and instructions clear and precise, so much so, that I have now purchased a sewing machine and succesfully completed the bonnet and the fur tippet and muff.
I understand that crochet, as we know it today, did not become popular until the late 1850′s. I am addicted to fine thread crochet and would love to make a regency item using this medium. Have you any suggestions or ideas on the use of crochet in this period?
Thank you for your lovely words Sian! That really is fantastic that you’ve been so inspired to purchase a sewing machine – I wish you many happy sewing years with your new machine. Sewing is a great way to relax and be creative.
You are right about the popularity of crochet. Like knitting it was a Victorian craft (mid – late 19th century) rather than a Regency craft. The first published knitting and crochet patterns were coming out in the 1830s.
I’ve got two ideas on how you could use your crochet skills to make a Regency item. Lace was hugely popular as a fashion item during the Regency – lace shawls, collars on dresses, cuffs for sleeves & handkerchiefs. But the real thing was too expensive for most people so you get all sorts of methods being used to make imitation lace – like embroidery on muslin or linen. Crochet was being used in Belgium at this time to make an imitation lace, so you could use your crochet skills to make a lace shawl or lace cuffs.
My other idea is that crochet can look like netting which was wildly popular in the Regency – netted purses, netted reticule bags, netted cloaks – so you could crochet a pattern to reflect the netting and make a little reticule to go with a Regency outfit.
Thank you for your swift response. I have several vintage (1940′s ) crochet patterns that utilise a diagonal (diamond shape) mesh. I am going to give it a go and make a reticule in an antique ecru colour, I think that could work very well. I will let you know how I get on.
That should be work well – love to see a photo when its finished!
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