GYPSY PINCUSHION

from Godey's Lady's Book & Magazine - 1865

"First cut a piece of cardboard three inches in diameter, and cover this with lining. Then join a piece of blue French merino or mousseline-de-laine, four inches long, and of exactly the same size round as the round of cardboard. Sew the bottom of the merino which composes the gypsy’s skirt to the cardboard neatly, and then fill the skirt with bran.

Dress the body of a small doll, with china head and hands, in a scarlet bodice and sleeves; stand the doll in the midst of the bran, and draw the blue skirt tightly round its waist, afterwards securely fastening it.

Make a little scarlet cloak with hood, and line both hood and cloak with new white glazed lining. Ornament the cloak with white glass beads, threaded and put on in twos, and draw the hood round the gypsy’s face.

Thread a few gold beads for a necklace, and twist them round her neck, and make a basket out of a piece of cardboard, with a wire handle, first threading a few beads on the wire to hide it. Fill this basket with a few needlefuls of thread, cotton, etc., tied to imitate skeins, and fasten it to the gypsy’s arm.

Cut two small pieces of cardboard, and with a pen and ink mark them to imitate playing cards, and sew one to the dress, the other tie to the right hand.

The front of the skirt is ornamented with three rows of beads."