In the 18th and 19th centuries, sewists, sailors, and soldiers alike carried a hussif. The term “Hussif” is short for “huswif” or “housewife”, and is a word used to refer to these historical travel sewing kits.
In this workshop, students will create their own hand stitched hussif that contains three pockets for stashing threads, snips, thimbles, and fabric scraps. Below the three handy pockets, is an area for pins, needles and safety pins.
The hussif is designed to be rolled up, tied, and easily carried in a pocket, bag, or luggage. Use your hussif to keep your supplies neat and tidy during your travels, while attending a workshop, or around the house. This is a perfect project to use up fabric scraps and get ready for your summer full of projects and travels.
Finished product is: 4 ½ x 15 unrolled
Date + Time
Saturday, June 1st, 2024
12:00-2:30 pm ET
Cost
Virtual Class: $45
Location
Zoom, access link will be sent out the day before class.
Recording
Class will be recorded. A link to the recording will be emailed to all registrants following the live session and available for one month.
Class Materials
- 1 pc fabric (5 x 16 inches) for backing (can be pieced together)
- 3 pcs fabric (5 x 7 inches)
- 1 pc fabric (5 x 4.5 inches)
- 1 pc fabric (5 x 3.5 inches)
- 1 pc fabric (20 x 2.5 inches) or ribbon or twill tape (20 inches)
- 2 pc fabric (about 3 x 3 inches) for needles – can be felt
- Thread (buttonhole, sashiko, machine thread, purl cotton, etc.) bring a variety
Tools
- Scissors or rotary cutter
- Cutting mat (if using a rotary cutter)
- Needles to fit your threads
- Pins
- Thread snips (optional)
OUR TEACHER
Jody Alexander
Jody Alexander is a mixed media artist who lives and works in Santa Cruz and Penn Valley, California. She combines textiles, paper, found items and imagery to create books, objects, wall pieces, garments, and installations. Her current work is inspired by the art of repair, reuse, and imagery and stories encountered in her travels and everyday.
Her work appears in a number of publications including Masters: Book Arts: Major Works by Leading Artist, 500 Handmade Books, and 1000 Artists’ Books: Exploring the Book as Art. Jody was an artist in residence at the Santa Cruz Resource Recovery Facility in 2019, and is the 2015 recipient of the Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from
U.C.L.A., and a Master’s degree in Library Science from Simmons College, Boston, MA.
Jody teaches and exhibits nationally and internationally.