I finally finished the Squash, Pumpkin and Gourd section of Sturtevant's History of Vegetables. I thought I'd never emerge from it! The great thing about that section was I kept finding things that were very interesting, but not right for that post. Here is one of them. I love this!!!
The book I found that mentioned the art of melon seed bags is at the end of this post. While that article is from the 1920s it seems this needle art craft was in practice from at least the mid 1800s.
This next article is from The Delineator, Volume 64, Issue 2, 1904.
And then I found in an 1830s book this pin cushion!
A MELON-SEED PINCUSHION.
Make a flat circular pincushion in the manner of those stuffed with flannel, and cover it with silk. Have ready a sufficient quantity of musk-melonseeds, clean and dry. With a strong needle pierce a hole through the broad end of every one. String them on threads, or on needle-fulls of buff-coloured silk of various lengths.
This is what got me started on the melon seed needlework.
Woman's Progress Association, 1920
Melon Seed Bags
A fascinating work by which any woman can make pin money is the making of little handbags of steel beads and melon seeds — keep the bags out of the way of the mice. Each bag requires four bunches of beads, the average cost of which is twelve cents a bunch, and the desirable size to use is number nine.
The melon seeds dried at home are desirable as they are plump and not brittle. Gilt beads are sometimes substituted for the steel beads. A mesh work of seeds and beads forms the body of the bag. A lining of silk or soft satin with a ribbon or silk cord draw-string constitutes this dainty accessory. The lining may be of lavender and the draw-string of silver gray ribbon, or any other color combination preferred.
Money for the Woman who Wants it: A Practical Presentation of the Principles Underlying the Planning of Successful Enterprises and Spare Time Work for the Woman who Wants to Earn
The book I found that mentioned the art of melon seed bags is at the end of this post. While that article is from the 1920s it seems this needle art craft was in practice from at least the mid 1800s.
This bag (above) was offered on eBay in 2013.
I do not know if it sold as the reserve was $250.00.
This extraordinary piece is from the collection of the Staten Island Historical Society,Historic Richmond Town. You should go there and see the detail photos and read the information.
This next article is from The Delineator, Volume 64, Issue 2, 1904.
And then I found in an 1830s book this pin cushion!
A MELON-SEED PINCUSHION.
Make a flat circular pincushion in the manner of those stuffed with flannel, and cover it with silk. Have ready a sufficient quantity of musk-melonseeds, clean and dry. With a strong needle pierce a hole through the broad end of every one. String them on threads, or on needle-fulls of buff-coloured silk of various lengths.
Begin at the centre of the pincushion, and sew on the strings of melon-seeds; every row or circle fitting in neatly between the seeds of the preceding one. The circle or strings of course increase in circumference as you approach the outer edge of the pincushion. Do both sides in the same manner. The last row of seeds that finishes the outer edge must be strung on a fine wire; and in the finishing row insert between each seed two little glass beads of the very smallest size, and of the same colour as the silk of the pincushion; blue or pink, for instance. The outer row, that is, the one that is stiffened with wire, must project a little beyond the edge of the pincushion.
The pins are stuck in the binding that is inserted between the two sides. Fasten to it a long string of ribbon.
The pins are stuck in the binding that is inserted between the two sides. Fasten to it a long string of ribbon.
American Girl's Book: Or, Occupation for Play Hours
by Eliza Leslie
1831
This is what got me started on the melon seed needlework.
Woman's Progress Association, 1920
Melon Seed Bags
A fascinating work by which any woman can make pin money is the making of little handbags of steel beads and melon seeds — keep the bags out of the way of the mice. Each bag requires four bunches of beads, the average cost of which is twelve cents a bunch, and the desirable size to use is number nine.
The melon seeds dried at home are desirable as they are plump and not brittle. Gilt beads are sometimes substituted for the steel beads. A mesh work of seeds and beads forms the body of the bag. A lining of silk or soft satin with a ribbon or silk cord draw-string constitutes this dainty accessory. The lining may be of lavender and the draw-string of silver gray ribbon, or any other color combination preferred.
Money for the Woman who Wants it: A Practical Presentation of the Principles Underlying the Planning of Successful Enterprises and Spare Time Work for the Woman who Wants to Earn
