Thimble history of creation. History of sewing needle, thread, thimble

A thimble is a cap that is put on a finger to protect it from a needle prick when sewing on the hands and to push the needle through thick material.

Thimbles began to be used in ancient times(for example, more than two thousand years ago in China or even earlier in Egypt).

With the advent of the sewing machine, thimbles became less popular. In China in the 3rd century BC, the thimble was invented.

According to one of them, in ancient times there lived a very hardworking tailor who, from early morning until late evening, pored over his work and endlessly pierced his fingers with a needle. One evening, during the full moon, he took a break from his work and looked at his garden.

Suddenly, among his favorite flowers, which resembled small red bells, he saw an amazing scene: several gnomes picked the bells and silently disappeared between the beds.

In the morning, the tailor discovered that the flowers were standing in place untouched. The next night everything was repeated, but this time the tailor went after the gnomes.

A mysterious path led to underground kingdom, and this is what he saw: tiny elves were sitting at a long table, cutting and sewing shirts, pants and cloaks for the gnomes. And on middle finger everyone was wearing red bells - flowers from the tailor's garden.

Thimble calendar

It was then that he remembered his pricked fingers. He returned to his home and the next morning, as always, got to work. And when he turned his head to the window, he noticed on the windowsill a sparkling thimble made of pure silver that fit his finger perfectly. This was a reward from the dwarves for the flowers he grew and for his silence. With the thimble, the work went more quickly, and the wounded fingers soon healed.

Historical materials claim that the thimble appeared in XVII century in Amsterdam. Master jeweler Nikolai Bentoten was in love with a neighbor girl, Anita Van Ranselier, who was a skilled embroiderer and spent all day embroidering at the direction of her stingy father. The needle often pricked the girl’s delicate fingers and caused her pain.

Looking at these girlish sufferings, Nikolai Bentoten decided to make the work of his beloved girl easier and in 1648, for her birthday, he gave her a small gold cap with notches for her finger. In his message, he wrote: “I ask the respected young lady to accept this invention as a gift, so that it will protect my beautiful and hardworking fingers from injections.”

The very first thimbles were made from thick leather. Later they began to be made of copper and bronze. The most ancient thimbles that have come down to us were made of gold. Later they were made from gilded silver or traditional bronze yellow color- perhaps to make the needle more noticeable, which was most often made of white metal.

The oldest surviving thimbles are made of gold, bronze and silver. Thimbles were not only objects of labor, but also decorations with pictures and ornaments.

Of course, the most beautiful samples were made on behalf of the daughters of kings, kings and princes. These rare pieces were usually made of gold with decorations.

In all likelihood, factory production of thimbles began in the 20s of the 19th century at one of the factories metal products. In 1824, the owner of the factory invented a special device for making thimbles of “any kind.”

A patent was registered and soon the mass production. Factory thimbles were engraved with the name of the manufacturer. Later the secret the devices were recognized in other countries, and one French industrialist said that he produced 14 types of thimbles from gold, silver, brass and other metals.

Another shrewd merchant instructed his thimble factory to engrave the name of his company on them. Other industrialists followed his example. So, by the end of the century, thimbles began to be sold for mass use. However, with the advent of the sewing machine, the glory of the thimble fell sharply. And yet, even today he faithfully serves both the tailor and the housewife.

We find the first written mention of thimbles in Rus' in the income and expenditure book of the Iversky Monastery for 1669, when 40 thimbles and 300 sewing needles were purchased for the monastery. The Iversky Monastery is located on one of the islands of Valdai Lake - Ryabinov. Founded by Patriarch Nikon in the 17th century.

The earliest thimble of the 14th century in Russia was found in Novgorod. Novgorod is one of the oldest cities in Russia, first mentioned in the 1st Sofia Chronicle under the year 859.
It was not immediately that the Russian thimble became the way we know it.

At first, this was the name of the flail, which was used in fist fighting, then - the ring, which was put on thumb right hand when archery. Since the 17th century, thimbles were imported from abroad, where their production was mechanized, and were also made in Russia.

15 km from Tula on the Tulitsa River between the villages of Torkhov and Slobodka (Gorodishche) in 1632, the Dutch merchant Vinius built the Gorodishche metallurgical plants. At archaeological excavations At this place, among other finds, a bronze thimble was discovered.

In addition to their direct purpose - to protect the finger from a needle prick, thimbles began to be used as decoration.

In the 18th century, toiletries came into fashion - original containers with a set of toiletries or sewing accessories. A thimble was stored in such a travel case, often made from precious metals, skillfully finished.

Just emerging in late XVIII - early XIX century, industry and private craftsmen began producing special sets for needlewomen - chatelaine.

The chatelaine looked like a chain from which a wide variety of tools were hung, including scissors in an elegant case, thimbles - often also in a case, magnifying glasses for especially delicate work, needle cases, pin holders and other cute, beautiful trinkets.

More precisely, they were not trinkets at all. Women in those distant times did not sit idle, so these items were very necessary. A thimble, often made of precious metals, skillfully decorated, was stored in such a travel case. In the 19th century, Russian jewelry thimbles were made in Veliky Ustyug, St. Petersburg, Moscow, and also in Vladikavkaz.

Interesting fact: one of the professional awards in the fashion industry in France is called the Golden Thimble. The best couturier is chosen by secret ballot by an international jury consisting of 30 journalists writing for fashion magazines. The founder of the prize was Jacques Chirac's wife Bernadette Chirac.

According to tradition, the Chiracs opened the competition, and at the final moment Madame Chirac presented the Golden Thimble to the winner. The first presentation of the Golden Thimble took place in 1976.

According to rough estimates, there are not so many gold thimbles: about 67 pieces. By the way, one of the gold thimbles belongs to Russian couturier Valentin Yudashkin.

From the blog Sudarushka

No one can say exactly when the thimble appeared, but it is known that it existed already in the Middle Ages. From those times, elegant, richly engraved and ornamented thimbles-masterpieces and legends associated with their origin remain. According to one of them, in ancient times there lived a very hardworking tailor who, from early morning until late evening, pored over his work and endlessly pierced his fingers with a needle. One evening, during the full moon, he took a break from his work and looked at his garden. Suddenly, among his favorite flowers, which resembled small red bells, he saw an amazing scene: several gnomes picked the bells and silently disappeared between the beds.

In the morning, the tailor discovered that the flowers were standing in place untouched. The next night everything was repeated, but this time the tailor went after the gnomes. A mysterious path led to the underworld, and this is what he saw: tiny elves were sitting at a long table, cutting and sewing shirts, pants and cloaks for the gnomes. And everyone wore red bells on their middle fingers - flowers from the tailor's garden. It was then that he remembered his pricked fingers. He returned to his home and the next morning, as always, got to work. And when he turned his head to the window, he noticed on the windowsill a sparkling thimble made of pure silver that fit his finger perfectly.

This was a reward from the dwarves for the flowers he grew and for his silence. With the thimble, the work went more quickly, and the wounded fingers soon healed.

Historical materials claim that the thimble appeared in the 17th century in Amsterdam. Master jeweler Nikolai Bentoten was in love with a neighbor girl, Anita Van Ranselier, who was a skilled embroiderer and spent all day embroidering at the direction of her stingy father. The needle often pricked the girl’s delicate fingers and caused her pain. Looking at these girlish sufferings, Nikolai Bentoten decided to make the work of his beloved girl easier and in 1648, for her birthday, he gave her a small gold cap with notches for her finger. In his message, he wrote: “I ask the respected young lady to accept this invention as a gift, so that it will protect my beautiful and hardworking fingers from injections.”

The most ancient thimbles that have come down to us were made of gold. Later they were made from gilded silver or bronze in the traditional yellow color - perhaps to make the needle, which was most often made of white metal, more visible. Of course, the most beautiful samples were made on behalf of the daughters of kings, kings and princes. These rare pieces were usually made of gold with decorations.

In all likelihood, factory production of thimbles began in the 20s of the 19th century at one of the metal products factories. In 1824, the owner of the factory invented a special device for making thimbles of “any kind.” A patent was registered and mass production soon began. Later, the secret of the device was learned in other countries, and one French industrialist said that he produced 14 types of thimbles from gold, silver, brass and other metals.

The first written mention of thimbles in Rus' (according to E. Sosna) we find in the income and expenditure book of the Iversky Monastery for 1669, when 40 thimbles and 300 sewing needles were purchased for the monastery. The Iversky Monastery is located on one of the islands of Valdai Lake - Ryabinov. Founded by Patriarch Nikon in the 17th century.
The earliest thimble of the 14th century in Russia was found in Novgorod. Novgorod is one of the oldest cities in Russia, first mentioned in the 1st Sofia Chronicle under the year 859.
It was not immediately that the Russian thimble became the way we know it. At first, this was the name of the flail, which was used in fist fighting, then - the ring, which was put on the thumb of the right hand when archery. Since the 17th century, thimbles were imported from abroad, where their production was mechanized, and were also made in Russia. 15 km from Tula on the Tulitsa River between the villages of Torkhov and Slobodka (Gorodishche) in 1632, the Dutch merchant Vinius built the Gorodishche metallurgical plants. During archaeological excavations at this site, among other finds, a bronze thimble was discovered.
In addition to their direct purpose - to protect the finger from a needle prick, thimbles began to be used as decoration. In the 18th century, toiletries came into fashion - original containers with a set of toiletries or sewing accessories. They could be large or small, the small ones were a decoration of the costume, they were worn on a chain (chatelaine) attached to the belt. A thimble, often made of precious metals, skillfully decorated, was stored in such a travel case. In the 19th century, Russian jewelry thimbles were made in Veliky Ustyug, St. Petersburg, Moscow, and also in Vladikavkaz.

Russian thimbles

Lomonosov Porcelain Factory

Rostov enamel

Russian gems

Gzhel

Zhostovo painting

Once upon a time, every housewife had such an essential item as a thimble, but now they have practically stopped using it. And only in antique stores can you sometimes find individual specimens - miniature works of art. However, in specialized stores in some countries you will be offered big choice thimbles.

The history of the thimble dates back to the times of ancient civilizations, this is confirmed by the finds of archaeologists around the world. True, its progenitor differed in form from modern analogue, but the purpose was the same - to help push the needle through the tissue without pricking. Thimbles were found during excavations in Pompeii, as well as in Scythian burials. The birthplace of the oldest specimens, most similar to modern ones, is China. The first Chinese thimbles were made from thick leather in the 3rd century BC. Then they began to be made from copper and bronze. Wealthy people could afford thimbles made of silver and gold.

The first written mentions of this garment in history date back to the 12th century. Then thimbles were made by hand by forging or casting from copper, iron, and bronze. In Germany, which became the leader in the production of this item, a guild of thimble makers was organized. They secured the right to make thimbles from brass. This happened in the 14th century, after which production processes only improved over the years.

Factory production of thimbles began in the 19th century. At the same time, the tradition of presenting especially beautiful products as gifts arose. Hence the demand for exclusive thimbles, made of precious metals, decorated with painting, stones and enamel. IN pre-revolutionary Russia this sewing item was presented as a gift by grooms to their brides, by which they judged the financial situation of the betrothed.

With the advent of original copies, thimbles become collectible items. A new concept has emerged - a collectible thimble. This product was not used for its intended purpose.

IN XIX-XX centuries appeared great amount all kinds of thimbles made of porcelain, gold, ivory, silver, which were decorated different ways depending on the imagination and skill of the masters.

The advent of the sewing machine led to a sharp decline in the thimble's fame; it is now more of a collectible item. However, even today it can provide faithful service to the tailor and housewife.

HISTORY OF THE SEWING NEEDLE

Without a doubt, the ancient needles were of a completely different shape and made of a different material, however, they served exactly what modern needles serve for. That is, for sewing.

But it’s true, at all times, a small needle has been and still is one of those attributes that must be in every home.

The history of the sewing needle says that the first sewing needles were found in the southern part of France and in Central Asia, and their age was 15-20 thousand years. Primitive people used a needle to sew clothes made from the skins of killed animals. The needles were made from fish bones, which were able to pierce thick skins.

Among cultural states antiquity, I would especially like to highlight Ancient Egypt, whose residents not only knew how to sew with iron needles, but were also actively engaged in embroidery. Moreover, the history of the sewing needle among the Egyptians is supported by the fact that even then the needle was almost perfect shape, was very reminiscent of a modern needle, familiar to us, but with one thing…. She didn't have an eyelet for thread. The edge of the needle opposite the point was simply bent into a small ring.

In Russia there is also a history of the sewing needle; a decree prescribing the beginning of the production of sewing needles was first issued by Peter I, although the needles were “brought” into the territory Russian Empire, back at the end of the 17th century. From those distant times to the present day, needles have been produced in the Ryazan region.

HISTORY OF THREADS

Before the invention of yarn and fabric, clothing was made from the fur and skins of hunted animals, using needles from bone or antler and "threads" from the sinews, veins or intestines of animals. Our ancestors - primitive people- they pierced the skins with sharp hewn stones, sharp bones of large fish or large spikes, and then threaded tendons through these holes.

Weaving radically changed the life and appearance of man. Instead of animal skins people put on clothes made from linen, wool or cotton fabrics, which have since become our constant companions. However, before our ancestors learned to weave, they had to perfectly master the weaving technique. Only after learning to weave mats from branches and reeds could people begin to “weave” threads.

Our ancestors even tended to perceive a person’s fate as a thread spun on a spinning wheel by a deity, which has its own beginning and end. It was believed that with the help of symbolic sewing, magical knitting, and weaving, it was possible to predict the future of a newborn, and then correct it during the course of life.

HISTORY OF THE THIMBLE

THIMBLE - the name comes from Russian. "finger" - finger. It appeared in Europe relatively recently. In the 80s 17th century One jeweler in Amsterdam made the first thimble, wanting to give his friend an item for her birthday that would protect her hard-working hands from needle pricks.

In Rus', thimbles came into fashion in the 1770s. and were an indispensable element of a sewing kit intended for aristocrats. Thimbles were made of copper, silver, bronze and even ivory.

CLOTHING IN Rus'

The creators of clothing in Rus' were called master blacksmiths. They constantly came up with new types of clothing, decorations for headdresses, made patterns, and decorated them. Clothing was divided depending on the status of the person. Old Russian people believed that clothes protect against evil spirits, dark forces because it has special powers. Therefore, ancient Russian outfits had embroidery in the form of a Swastika, embroidered with a wooden needle and linen threads.

The main thing that was important for the Slavs in clothing was comfort, practicality, and warmth. Depending on the financial situation the fabric of the caftan was chosen. The princes wore warm ones, with a fur collar and embroidered retinue. The preferred furs were sheepskin, beaver, rabbit, and fox. The collar was small, barely covering the neck. On outerwear there were many buttons, from eight to twelve.

As now, ancient Russian women and girls loved to dress beautifully. IN women's clothing gave preference small details and embroidery. It was embroidered along the hem, on the sleeves, and around the neckline. Boyars and princesses wore rich dresses with sewn metal plates, peasant women wore a simple linen shirt with a belt. Woman suit was not only warm, but also showed the status of a woman. The fabric for dresses and suits was always linen, and the patterns were embroidered exclusively with red threads, because the color red among the Slavs symbolized health, fertility, fire, warmth, and protection.

The peasants wore simple clothes with a minimum of embroidery. It was not decorated with stones and ribbons. For work, for everyday wear, they wore a long sleeveless shirt. Despite all its simplicity in pattern and cheapness of fabric, peasant clothing was very warm and practical.

Ancient Russian wedding clothes for women were beautiful, neat, a real masterpiece of Shili wedding dress girls to themselves. They were helped by their mother, grandmother, and older sister. Usually the outfit was passed down from generation to generation. The bride's outfit showed the status of her family. They sewed dresses and sundresses from linen, chintz, and velvet. They decorated it with beads, ribbons, braid, and embroidered beautiful patterns with gold threads. For noble, rich brides, the outfit was as luxurious as possible. It was decorated with stones and pearls, so it was heavy and weighed up to twenty kilograms.

The word "thimble" comes from the old Russian word "perst", meaning "finger". History is silent about the name of the inventor of the thimble, the thimble is so ancient invention, that no mention of its creator has survived to this day.
It is clear that every thing has its own origins and foundation roots. But there is no one in particular to dedicate the credit for the creation of the thimble - the historical information about it goes so deep. It can be assumed that his invention was in the territory ancient Rus'. More than 30 thousand years BC. e. Cro-Magnons lived on these lands, and archaeological excavations have established that they already used primitive clothing, which they sewed themselves. They did this with bone needles, which were not as easy to use as modern ones. Therefore, they had the simplest devices - plates wrapped in a circle, with which they pushed far from thin needle like fabric. It is these simple details that can be considered the prototype of today's thimble.
The very first thimbles, similar to their modern counterparts, date back to the 2nd century; they were discovered in China and Russia. Brass thimbles were discovered in excavations of Scythian burial mounds in Crimea.

Before the invention of the sewing machine, the thimble was an absolutely indispensable item when sewing. They were produced in large quantities, and still thimbles different eras- one of the most frequent finds of archaeologists.
The very first thimbles were open at the top and had no bottom. During excavations, even the simplest options are found, which are a metal plate rolled into a tube. Apparently, the demand for thimbles in those days was so high that there was not always time to process them. Such thimbles were made from copper, brass, bronze, and even silver and gold. The first written mention of thimbles found in Russia dates back to the 17th century. By this time, the production of thimbles in Europe had already been established quite widely, and there were craftsmen for whom this was the main activity. Probably, so many thimbles were required at that time that there was a constant demand for them.
It should be noted that by the 17th century, thimbles often became not only a necessary item for sewing, but also a work of art. A beautiful legend is associated with the advent of jewelry thimbles in Europe.
According to her, jewelry maker Nikolai Bentoten from Amsterdam fell in love with a neighbor girl whose name was Anita Van Ranselier. The girl skillfully embroidered, and was forced to sit at work all day under the duress of her stingy father. All the girl's tender fingers were pricked with a needle. Seeing the suffering of his beloved, the master made a small gold cap with notches especially for her, which was designed to protect her fingers while sewing, and presented it to her for her birthday in 1648. He accompanied his gift with a message in which he asked the young lady to accept his invention as a gift, designed to protect delicate and so hard-working fingers from injections.
What was invented by this jeweler became fashionable and began to rapidly spread throughout Europe. The thimble first appeared in England, and already at the beginning of the 18th century the fashionable item appeared in France, Germany and Russia, where it was brought by Dutch merchants. Fine jewelry masterpieces decorated with enamel, inlay and engraving have survived to this day. In order to make the silver-white steel of the sewing needle more visible against the background of the thimble, they tried to make the color of the thimble yellow.
Since then, thimbles have been used not only for their intended purpose - to protect the finger from needle pricks. Thimbles become a real decoration. The 18th century brought fashion for toiletries - sets of toiletries or sewing accessories, enclosed in special containers that could be different sizes. Small travel bags were a kind of accessory; they were attached to the belt with a chain. A thimble, often made of gold and richly decorated, was an integral part of such toiletries.
Russian jewelers also made thimbles; in the 19th century such jewelry thimbles were produced in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Veliky Ustyug, Vladikavkaz and near Derbent (works of the famous Kubachi masters)