Friday, December 4, 2015

The Early Workbasket ~ Nanny Pin

Welcome dear friends and needleworkers!

It's Friday, so lets see what's in today's 
Early Workbasket...


~ Nanny Pins/Brooches ~



The patent for this design was registered in 1895 but they
were extensively used during the Edwardian era.  


Nanny pins were brooches worn by the Nanny of the house,
which contained emergency sewing sets for repairs if
the children tore a garment while playing. 

One end unscrews to reveal a cylinder with thread wrapped 
around a needle case which holds a needle and pin.


These brooches were made out of brass with a central,
Goldstone or other various stones were used. 

These brooches  are much sought after!  

They are not worth buying if the central thread holder is missing.


This little girl probably had a nanny...



What is a Nanny?

A nanny is an individual employed by a family in either a
 live~in or live~out basis.  The essential function of a nanny 
 is to be responsible for all care of the child(ren) in the home in
a largely unsupervised setting. 



It took me a LONG time to finally add Nanny pins to my 
collection!



Nanny pins are referred to as the world's smallest sewing
set and was worn proudly by Nanny's as a badge of 
office.


Here is an example of a Nanny pin that is all brass
and embellished with a brass flower.


Check out her feather duster...I love it!


Typically, the center stone will be a 
"Goldstone", but there are also more elaborate 
ones...like the star shape one in the center from England.

  

Two other designs to look for...


A Cameo and a brass spider with a glass body.



Since purchasing my first Nanny pin, the price has really come
 down...Ebay has made them not only available but also affordable!

♦

Christmas gift giveaway...


Okay, there are three Friday's before Christmas, 
therefore I will be giving away three different Christmas
gifts.

Today, will start the entry for gift box No. 1...


This first gift is an antique brass sewing kit from Germany.



From Me to You...from my private sewing collection!

To enter your name in the drawing, 
simply leave me a comment either at the end of my blog
OR by leaving a comment on my facebook page.


The winning name will be announced on  
Monday's blog!

♦

Weekly Soul Food ~

Stand in awe, and sin not:
commune with your own heart upon your bed, 
and be still.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
and put your trust in the Lord.

Psalm 4:4~5...KJV

♦

I've got some serious cleaning and Christmas
decorating to do over the weekend!

Hope you enjoyed today's feature on Nanny Pins?

Be happy my dear friends,
Kindly, Tammy


Posted by at

59 comments:

  1. UnknownDecember 4, 2015 at 5:31 PM

    Loved your info on the pins. Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sherry D. KaneDecember 4, 2015 at 5:39 PM

    Thank you for the Nanny pin information and a chance to win a Christmas gift.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sherry D. KaneDecember 4, 2015 at 5:39 PM

    Thank you for the Nanny pin information and a chance to win a Christmas gift.

    ReplyDelete
  4. debbie haggardDecember 4, 2015 at 5:41 PM

    Such an interesting history lesson- thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownDecember 4, 2015 at 5:42 PM

    I love nanny pins, have wanted one forever. Thank you for the pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  6. thearttrampDecember 4, 2015 at 5:56 PM

    Thank you for educating me on Nanny Pins. They are simply glorious, ingenious and beautiful.....what treasure come in small packages!!! I hope that one of my Christmas presents is one of your give-a-ways......but if not you, my friend, are a treasure indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  7. saltandpepperDecember 4, 2015 at 6:07 PM

    Thank you for the information on Nanny Pins. Learned a lot. How interesting. ~Christine

    ReplyDelete
  8. Farm GirlDecember 4, 2015 at 6:08 PM

    I have never heard of a nanny pin, but I had seen them in pictures and read about them. It is so nice to see them. How nice you have such wonderful collections. I would love to be entered into your drawing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. PattiDecember 4, 2015 at 6:13 PM

    Oh what lovely treasures - both your pins and the giveaway!
    Blessings, Patti

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jennie in GADecember 4, 2015 at 6:29 PM

    Fascinating!! I live antique sewing ephemera and I have never seen these before. Thx for sharing!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownDecember 4, 2015 at 6:52 PM

    Thank you for the information and photos on the nanny pins, and also for the chance to win the clever little sewing kit.

    ReplyDelete
  12. ColleenDecember 4, 2015 at 7:00 PM

    I've heard of a Nanny Pin, but did not know what was hiding inside. How Amazing! Tammy, Your pins are lovely. Thank you for sharing both the history lesson & a chance to receive a pin. Colleen

    ReplyDelete
  13. gloriahanawayDecember 4, 2015 at 7:45 PM

    I've never heard of a Nanny Pin! Thanks so much for the information and the Christmas give-away!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Jean ARDecember 4, 2015 at 7:48 PM

    Thanks for sharing the information on the Nanny Pin. I learned a lot from this.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Jean ARDecember 4, 2015 at 7:48 PM

    Thanks for sharing the information on the Nanny Pin. I learned a lot from this.

    ReplyDelete
  16. UnknownDecember 4, 2015 at 8:03 PM

    Never knew about nanny pins. Love them. I want one now. Thanks for the info

    ReplyDelete
  17. JuliaDecember 4, 2015 at 8:06 PM

    I love all of the antique sewing implements and try to think of how the women used them.
    Please enter me in your gift-away. Julia

    ReplyDelete
  18. Jenny WrightDecember 4, 2015 at 8:08 PM

    It's a treasure....as are you!
    Jenny

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. scatteredseedsamplersDecember 7, 2015 at 2:32 PM

      Dear Jenny, Yay, your name was chosen for the Christmas gift giveaway...congratulations and Merry Christmas! Your package was shipped earlier today :) Blessings, Tammy

      Delete
  19. JanDecember 4, 2015 at 8:14 PM

    What a wonderful article, and a gorgeous sewing kit!

    ReplyDelete
  20. LaNelleDecember 4, 2015 at 8:28 PM

    The Nanny Pins were very fascinating really enjoyed learning about them....always like your give aways...thanks for a chance. Blessings Tammy!

    ReplyDelete
  21. GlendaDecember 4, 2015 at 8:48 PM

    I love learning about sewing items on your blog. I had never heard nor seen a Nanny pin.

    ReplyDelete
  22. carolynDecember 4, 2015 at 8:56 PM

    The pins are fascinating. Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  23. Nancy ADecember 4, 2015 at 10:30 PM

    You are a wealth of information! Thank you.

    Nancy A

    ReplyDelete
  24. UnknownDecember 4, 2015 at 10:44 PM

    I learned a lot reading this blog. Thank you for a chance to win something so special.

    ReplyDelete
  25. UnknownDecember 4, 2015 at 11:14 PM

    I had no idea nanny pins even existed. Thank you for the information. I would love to be entered in your drawing.

    ReplyDelete
  26. kathleen claireDecember 5, 2015 at 12:13 AM

    I really enjoy reading your posts on Monday and Friday...and the scripture messages are great. Thank you for including me in the opportunity to be entered into your drawing! take care....

    ReplyDelete
  27. Morna Crites-MooreDecember 5, 2015 at 12:55 AM

    Thank you for the education - nanny pins are totally new to me.

    ReplyDelete
  28. lisaDecember 5, 2015 at 3:28 AM

    I had never heard of nanny pins before....I love the photos of the nannys!! Some look so young-probably teens! Thank you for the chance to win that gorgeous sewing set! Lisa ...scneth@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  29. MarilynDecember 5, 2015 at 4:46 AM

    Thanks for the history on Nanny Pins.
    You have a nice collection.
    Please enter my name in the drawing for the sewing set.
    Thanks!
    Marilyn

    ReplyDelete
  30. connieDecember 5, 2015 at 5:59 AM

    I never heard about Nanny Pins ..This is new to me..Thanks for the information.I love learning new things..

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousDecember 5, 2015 at 6:07 AM

    I love your blog. I learn so much.
    Annette

    ReplyDelete
  32. VickieDecember 5, 2015 at 6:46 AM

    How very interesting. I had never heard of these.

    ReplyDelete
  33. A Bit of ColourDecember 5, 2015 at 7:24 AM

    Thank you for the knowledge on Nanny Pins! This was all new to me! They are beautiful!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. LindaDecember 5, 2015 at 7:27 AM

    Thanks for the lessons Didnt know anything about these Learning made easy Please enter me in the giveaway Thanks

    linda m

    ReplyDelete
  35. Cee RafuseDecember 5, 2015 at 8:13 AM

    Tammy thank you for sharing, great information on Nannie pins..I am 'Nannie' to my 4 year old grandson, Avery and now I am in search of a Nannie Pin! Sharing your blog on my facebook page. Happy Holidays!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Simple PleasureDecember 5, 2015 at 8:35 AM

    Oh Tammy, do count me entered! I so enjoy your weekly postings...and I've learned so much. Enjoy every moment of your holiday preparations.
    Busy Hands...Happy Heart
    Patricia

    ReplyDelete
  37. C Reeder PhxAz December 5, 2015 at 10:13 AM

    So fascinating to learn about and they are quite ornamental as well. Having been born in Germany I do believe I need to be drawn for the first give a way!!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. nanacrystalDecember 5, 2015 at 10:13 AM

    I love your blog. Please enter my name in giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  39. The EveningstitcherDecember 5, 2015 at 10:54 AM

    Love your "Nanny Pin" post. I've never seen one (at least that I know off)...they are beautiful and what a wonderful piece of history. Please enter my name...love your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Sally ADecember 5, 2015 at 10:56 AM

    Great history lesson thank you for sharing. I do have a green one but I didn't know it was from Germany. thank again.

    ReplyDelete
  41. BonnieDecember 5, 2015 at 11:48 AM

    I had never heard of Nanny pins. love it!! Thanks for the offer of the gift!!

    ReplyDelete
  42. CharlotteDecember 5, 2015 at 1:54 PM

    I learned something new today - Nanny Pin. Thanks for the chance to win your generous give away. My husband is of German descent so it would be perfect.

    Thanks for your blog - truly enjoy it.
    Charlotte

    ReplyDelete
  43. UnknownDecember 5, 2015 at 2:24 PM

    I had never heard of Nanny Pins. I certainly enjoyed learning about them. I really enjoy all that you share with us about historic tools used in stitching.

    ReplyDelete
  44. UnknownDecember 5, 2015 at 2:44 PM

    Such a beautiful collection

    ReplyDelete
  45. Rugs and PugsDecember 5, 2015 at 2:57 PM

    Tammy ~
    I am learning so much from your blog. Thank you.
    I would love to be entered in your most generous give-away.
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

    ReplyDelete
  46. DebbieDecember 5, 2015 at 3:16 PM

    My other love (besides stitching) is antiques!! Thank you for the interesting post; and a chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  47. jerilandersDecember 5, 2015 at 4:46 PM

    I never knew of Nanny-pins till now, but you can bet that the price of Nanny pins on ebay just went way up, since your post! How on earth you find such fascinating vintage sewing implements is beyond me. I've been antiquing my entire life and never run across the fabulous items you have in your collections.

    ReplyDelete
  48. pjDecember 5, 2015 at 5:38 PM

    Such a nice gift! Christmas giving is the best. Thanks Tammy. Interesting information about Nanny pins!

    Love your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  49. TriciaDecember 5, 2015 at 5:50 PM

    Just found you! Enjoyed your story about Nanny Pins. I never knew they existed. Thank you for the chance to win one! Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  50. PaulaDecember 5, 2015 at 7:36 PM

    I love your collection!

    ReplyDelete
  51. capresDecember 6, 2015 at 9:20 AM

    Who knew? Nanny pins - how fascinating. Thanks for bringing us all that interesting info.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Barb's World of StitchingDecember 6, 2015 at 10:14 AM

    Thank you for all of your contributions to the needlework industry. You are truly inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  53. JimmieDecember 6, 2015 at 11:37 AM

    Oh my goodness, I never knew about nanny pins! I love, love, love them! Thanks for telling us about them.

    Diane in North Carolina

    ReplyDelete
  54. StasiDecember 6, 2015 at 3:30 PM

    Happy to have learned about the nanny pin-never had heard of them.

    ReplyDelete
  55. StitchinByTheLakeDecember 6, 2015 at 4:01 PM

    Such an interesting story and pictures....and what a beautiful little sewing kit! My husband and I are going to a Danube River cruise next summer so I'm going to get to see a little bit of Germany. :) blessings, marlene

    ReplyDelete
  56. FranDecember 6, 2015 at 5:24 PM

    The Nanny pin is a great thing. I had never hear of them. Thank you for the info.

    ReplyDelete
  57. dqDecember 6, 2015 at 8:44 PM

    omg Tmmy a give away! And i loved the article on nanny pins - dq bogfairy@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. RonnieDecember 7, 2015 at 11:08 AM

    Great information on the nanny pins, love the history of it! Thanks for sharing and the give away.

    ReplyDelete

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