Ragged Soldier Sutlery and Vintage Volumes

Craft Supplies and Sundries

As we added more products, we ran into a quandry about where to put some items. For example, is "emery" a craft supply or a sundry? We decided the easiest way was to combine the two listings. So you may have to scroll down a bit further but you won't have to guess about the category of these sometimes closely related items.

We used the term "sundry" as a collective term for all of those usually small items that aren't particularly glamorous but certainly help make life easier or more efficient. The dictionary definition for the time period has "sundry" as meaning "several" or "more than one or two."

The craft supplies are useful for reenactors, casual students of the 19th century life style, and anyone who enjoys handcrafts. All of the implements offered here can be used to gain experience in how the respective crafts were practiced and created.

Craft Supplies and Sundries

Item	Short Description	Quantity	Price
Beeswax	Beeswax was used for a variety of purposes during the mid-nineteenth century. Although the first thought might be for candles, tallow probably was the primary candle material due to its availability and price, even though beeswax was a superior material and had a higher melting point. Beeswax was used to seal containers in food preservation, to treat thread before sewing, to waterproof containers, and as a light-weight contact adhesive. The beeswax we carry we obtain directly from an apiary. It has been cleaned and has a golden-brown color. A sniff of the wax leaves no doubt about its origin.	1 ounce 4 ounces 8 ounces 1 pound	$ 1.10 $ 3.00 $ 5.00 $ 9.50
Bluing	During the laundry process, soap residues and boiling caused whites to develop a yellow or pale tan shade with repeated washings. The addition of a bluing agent to the final rinse of the whites imparted a very light blue tint to the whites and made them look whiter. The same principal is used today in the pale blue tint of many modern detergents. Liquid bluing was unknown at the time of the civil war so solid bluing should be used. Depending upon the maker, it could be one of three different materials. For a full discussion of bluing, consult The Laundry Handbook in the 20th century books section. The way the bluing is used is to make three separate bags, one inside the other and not sharing a common seam, to make a bluing bag. (The reason for the three bags is to make it more difficult for any tiny particles of bluing to get in the rinse water. If they contacted the fabric, they could make a blue stain.) Put the solid bluing inside the bag and slosh around in the rinse water until the water becomes "sky blue." The bag with the remaining bluing can be hung up to dry and reused until the bluing is exhausted.	1 ounce 4 ounces 8 ounces	$ 1.50 $ 4.00 $ 7.00
Candles, Stearin	Candles made of 100% stearin. Also known as adamantine, they are far superior to tallow and more correct than paraffin. We are the only sutler we know of carrying these candles.		$ .70
Crochet Reference Cards	These cards are similar to the Knitting Reference Cards. They are portable and may be carried in a purse when shopping for the correct sized crochet thread and hooks. One card shows the actual size of crochet threads used in the 19th century and on the back are period suggestions of the sizes of thread to use with a particular project. The other card has the crochet hook sizes using a 19th century bell gauge and compares the sizes with modern American and Metric sizes. These cards are invaluable to carry with you when shopping for supplies for period crochet projects. Be sure to specify whether you want the Hook Size Card, the Thread Card, or both (see detailed writeup for a full explanation). Available wholesale.		$ 3.25 each $ 5.75 per pair
Emery	Emery bags or cushions were generally found in sewing boxes and were suggested items for fancy fairs. We sell it in 1 ounce bags to use in making similar items. Emery is defined in Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language (1861) as "A massive variety of corundum; its structure finely granular. . . " It was used for polishing metal, in lapidary, and was also used to polish discolored bone or ivory, polish fine knives, smooth and polish [not the enamel polish we know today] fingernails, or make razor paste.	1 ounce	$ 2.15
Fragrant Waters	The fragrant waters are sold in modern amber 4 oz bottles. They should be stored in a dark place when not in use. Fragrances available: Florida Water - Florida water is a light citrus-scented fragrant water. Lavender Water - This has the fresh fragrance of its namesake. Orange Flower Water - A fragrance originally made in the Middle East. Rosewater - Probably one of the oldest fragrant waters. Violet Water - A light violet-scented water.		$ 8.50
Knitting Reference Cards	These cards are invaluable to carry with you when shopping for supplies for period knitting or crochet projects. The 19th century yarn and needles don't match modern yarn weights and sizes. Be sure to specify whether you want the Needle Card, the Yarn Card, or both (see detailed writeup for a full explanation). Available wholesale.		$ 3.25 each $ 5.75 per pair
Tatting Kit	The craft involving a small series of loops and knots to make lace known as tatting was a much more common activity during the civil war than it is today. This kit contains a shuttle, thread, and instructions to learn simple tatting. For anyone wanting to learn more about 19th century tatting, check out Flitting Fingers in the modern books.		$ 7.25
Weaving Looms	Despite the onset of the industrial revolution, some home weaving was still occurring. During the Union Blockade, weaving became more common in the South as the women worked to produce textiles no longer available from the North or overseas. The looms come in two sizes: a small one with 17 holes for the warp and about 10 x 8 1/2 inches; and a larger size with 19 holes for the warp and about 13 x 11 inches. With instructions	Small Large	$ 10.00 $ 13.50
Weaving Projects	After advancing beyond the basic techniques, this small booklet provides further instructions in weaving including how to make stipes, plaids, and diagonal patterns.		$ 3.75