“ Hussies Too”
Hussif Group #2

Pat Winter © 2005

Last year a group of ladies made Hussifs. A Hussif is a Victorian sewing kit. You can read about and view the previous hussifs in the October 2004 issue of CQMagOnline by Nancy Combs.

A few months ago on an embellishing group a lady by the name of Roxanne Scelp (Roxie), decided to open another group for those who wanted to make a hussif or pursiff. This group was named “Hussies Too”. I thought it would be nice to share their results with you all. Since I had made a hussif in the first group, I decided to make the Purssif this time.

After the patterns were ordered via Carol Lindberg who sells the pattern for designer Julie Craig, we were on our way. There was much talk about fabrics, images, and mostly what colors we will choose.

It was a lot of fun to see the supplies each “hussie” chose and what methods they used. Some chose to make up their own pattern which was interesting I thought. Each is unique and customized to their own sewing needs.

One thing I know is that the thimble holders that Julia Camelleri had crocheted for the first group as gifts were a “must have” for many. I loved seeing the different crocheted designs of these little holders.

The close feeling you get from doing a group project is so special. Everyone is offering advice on supplies, dying, crocheting, sources for supplies, and pure heartfelt sharing of themselves. I have run into old stitching buddies and met new dear friends in this group.

Candida Vieira is from Brazil and I was impressed with her embellishing of her lady print she used as well as how Victorian her hussif looks. I thought adding the beaded “C” was a great idea to tuck away for a future hussif.

Paula Bundick

One lady, Paula Bundick brought tears to my eyes when she told how she chose her colors. She had lost her mother and was having a bad time grieving. I could relate to her, that is how I created my Gathering Memories book, from the loss of my father. Her mother’s favorite color was red, therefore she chose red and denim for her hussif. It will be delightful and a keepsake in memory of her dear mother I’m sure.

By the way, she took time off from her hussif to take courses with the Red Cross during the recent Katrina disaster so she could help out. What a lady!

Lilla LeVine, whose work I admire immensely, shared a hussif and several accessories with us. As usual, they were gorgeous. It was fun working with advanced designers as it was with beginners and stitchers from around the world.

Hideko Ishida is from Japan and the accent pieces in her hussif are wonderful and so different. Her thimble holder is a flower. I love the prints she chose.

Kimber Pekora chose cheerful colors that will keep her inspired as she works on her needlework projects. I love the energy I feel from the color contrast in her hussif. Her addition of a bead vial pocket was great.

Lisa DuCoing customized her hussif with an ingenious ribbon card holder made from safety pins. Her beaded dragonfly on her image is fantastic with its life-like wings. It looks like a delicate garden exploded across her hussif, vines and all.

Janet Hoxie shared a wonderful idea with us. She manufactures Bobbin Buddies to keep bobbins from unraveling. These would be perfect to add to a hussif don’t you think? You can actually buy them if you wish at www.sewunique.com/bb.htm. Thank you for sharing this Janet.

I had the pleasure of meeting Marjorie Holme during this project. She met me at my local bead shop. She is one fun lady. Her work is intricate and beautiful. She was inspired to collect vintage tools for her hussif. What a treasure she will have.

Lynn Majidimehr used Tsukineko inks to dye her laces. (See article in this issue) Lynn made a purssif and is working on a hussif. Very Victorian. She chose several lady prints which make it so pretty.

Barbara Roberts finished the inside of her hussif and will share the outside in a follow up article next issue. If the outside is anything like the inside work, we are in for a treat! She used very beautiful embroidery around each pocket and silk ribbon embroidery flowed nicely across the features of her hussif.

Michelle added an area to hold her hedebo stick in the fold and the needles, thread grabber and threader. Her grandmother gave her matching lace to use. The inside left will hold the scissors and a misc. pocket perhaps for clippings if not sitting next to a trash can. The bobbins of thread I'm hoping to have on a dowel in the fold.

Debbie Reed used a very delicate color and crocheted around her pin cushion which looks so feminine and Victorian. I love the embellished appliqué around her spool knave.

I chose to make a pursiff this time around. While choosing fabric I decided it would be a handbag for daily use instead of carrying my hussif. I chose olive green and deep purple. I made it quite simple but could have added so many more embellishments. I added metal feet I found at my local craft store which was advice someone had mentioned. I’m sorry I can’t remember who.

It was a great idea, and I recommend it. I did add vintage silk thread spools for fun. I am pleased with the end product and thank Roxie for lighting a fire under me to make a pursiff after a year of procrastination. Thank you Roxie for all you have done.

	Liz Schaffner Liz Schaffner chose deep burgundy with cream lace appliqués. Her choice of prints is delightful. I can’t wait to see this one finished.
Roxanne Scelp Roxie, our Hussie Too “Mom” has chosen rich copper silk for her hussif, and dyed her own laces to add. There will be more to see next issue.
	Susan Korzeniewski-Gourley Susan Korzeniewski-Gourley embroidered a gorgeous tree using Oliver Twist threads. Her hussif will be in the next issue.
Edith Edith will be using these supplies. Her hussif will also be in the next issue.

Watch for the next issue to see more beautiful hussif and purssif photos.

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