Sewing supplies
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Anyone who sews their own medieval garments or experiments with traditional craft techniques needs more than just modern haberdashery from a general household goods shop. Historical sewing supplies for the Middle Ages and re-enactment differ fundamentally in terms of material, workmanship and authenticity from what is available today in specialist shops. Here you will find hand-forged scissors, sturdy linen thread and small looms for tablet weaving – all in a range tailored to the requirements of living history, LARP and re-enactment.
What does historical sewing equipment include?
Historical sewing supplies encompass all the tools and materials required for the artisanal sewing, weaving and embellishment of garments and textiles – whilst remaining as faithful as possible to historical models. Essentially, these include scissors in various designs, linen thread as authentic sewing thread, and small looms for traditional tablet weaving.
The most important difference from modern sewing accessories: historical tools are made from traditional materials – carbon steel for scissors, pure linen for thread, wood, horn or bone for looms. No plastic, no synthetic fibres, no mass-produced machine-stamped parts. For re-enactment and living history, this is not merely a matter of aesthetics, but a question of credibility around the campfire and in the marketplace.
The related categories of needle and thread, needle binding and bobbin weaving sensibly complement the sewing supplies: those who buy linen thread often also need sewing needles – those who order bobbin looms are often looking for suitable weaving yarn at the same time. This overview helps beginners to fully equip their project right from the start.
Hand-forged scissors: from straight-edged to cutting scissors
The most striking product segment in this category is the hand-forged scissors. They differ fundamentally from modern scissors, not only in appearance but also in design.
The bow scissors (also known as spring steel scissors) are made in one piece and operate on the spring principle: both blades are formed from a single piece of spring steel and spring back automatically when pressed together. This design has been documented since antiquity and was widespread in the Early and High Middle Ages. They are particularly suitable for precise cuts on small surfaces – such as trimming threads, cutting into fabric, or for tasks requiring a delicate touch. Blade sizes range from approx. 3–4 cm up to 8 cm.
The cutting shears with twisted legs or rolled handle eyes are two-piece – two separate blade arms are connected by a rivet. This construction allows for longer blade lengths (up to approx. 9 cm) and is better suited to longer, even cuts through fabric. Twisted legs – i.e. steel struts twisted in a screw-like manner – are a typical feature of hand-forged goods and not merely a decorative element: the twist increases the material’s bending stiffness. Rolled handle loops are created by bending the end of the steel into a loop – a functional design without riveted handle shells.
All scissors in this category are made from carbon steel – a material that can be sharpened, remains sharp in use and is protected from rust by oiling. Prices range from around €10 for compact bow-shaped scissors to around €18 for larger cutting scissors with a 9-cm blade – a manageable budget for a tool that will last for years with proper care.
Linen thread: The right yarn for historical sewing
Anyone sewing a medieval garment and wishing to do so historically accurately cannot do without linen thread. In the Middle Ages, sewing threads were spun from flax (linen), wool or – for upper-class and ecclesiastical textiles – from silk. Synthetic threads did not, of course, exist; even today, they are not an option for authentic hand sewing.
10-ply linen thread (light brown, 500 g / 500 m) is the slightly thinner of the two threads on offer. The 10-ply twist refers to the number of individual threads twisted together – more threads mean greater tear resistance and a more even surface. This thread is suitable for standard sewing work on linen and woollen fabrics: tunics, dresses, coats, bags.
12-ply linen thread (grey, 500 g / 420 m) is even more tear-resistant and slightly bulkier thanks to the additional twisting. The slightly shorter length for the same weight is due to the thicker yarn. It is particularly suitable for heavily stressed seams – such as on belts, bags, boots or heavy woollen coats.
The colours grey and light brown are historically plausible: naturally dyed or undyed linen yarns fell precisely within this colour spectrum. Bright white yarn would be less authentic in many historical contexts. The 500g pack size is intended for serious sewing projects – anyone sewing a complete garment will use significantly more thread than one might initially expect.
Tailor’s scissors vs. cutting shears – a comparison
- Made from a single piece of spring steel
- Opens automatically via spring action
- Blade sizes approx. 3–8 cm
- Ideal for precision work and small cuts
- Historically documented from antiquity, widespread in the early and high Middle Ages
- Price range approx. €10–12
- Recommended for: sewing, trimming threads, making incisions
- Two-piece construction, riveted
- Twisted shanks or rolled handle eyes
- Blade lengths up to approx. 9 cm
- Better for longer, even cuts through fabric
- Became increasingly common from the late Middle Ages onwards
- Price range approx. €12–18
- Recommendation: cutting fabric, tailoring, larger projects
Historical sewing in the Middle Ages: What sources and finds reveal
Sewing was a central everyday craft in the Middle Ages – and largely women’s work. Women in the Middle Ages sewed clothing for the entire household, made bed linen, sacks, hoses and church textiles. The tools used were simple and sturdy: a needle made of bone, iron or bronze, twisted thread made of flax or wool, and a pair of scissors for trimming the thread. That women sewed is well documented in written sources, pictorial representations and archaeological finds.
The sewing techniques used differ little from what is known today as hand-sewing: running stitch, backstitch and simple overcasting to neaten edges were the basic techniques. All work was carried out by hand – the sewing machine did not arrive until the 19th century. This means that authentic re-enactment sewing is always hand sewing, and the time required for a single garment can amount to dozens of hours.
Archaeological grave finds from the Viking Age and the High Middle Ages provide direct evidence of the tools used. In Viking-era women’s graves, bow-shaped scissors, sewing needles and needle cases are regularly found as grave goods – an indication of the importance attached to the craft. Similar finds come from Anglo-Saxon and Frankish graves of the Early Middle Ages. Medieval scissors from these finds are often remarkably well-preserved and demonstrate how little the basic design has changed over the centuries.
For those wishing to explore techniques beyond sewing: needle binding is a pre-knitted handicraft technique with an archaeological record predating knitting, and is also carried out using simple linen or wool yarn.
Tumbler weaving: weaving traditional braids yourself
Lattice weaving is one of the oldest weaving methods in existence – archaeologically attested since the Bronze Age, and a widespread technique in the Middle Ages and among the Vikings for producing braids, ribbons and trimmings. Small, perforated boards are used to form the weft: warp threads are pulled through the holes, and turning the boards creates the characteristic braided pattern.
| Materials | Suitability | Price (set of 5) |
|---|---|---|
| Wood (rosewood) | Beginner | approx. €11–12 |
| Horn | Historic | approx. €14 |
| Bone/Leg | Historical | approx. €25 |
The wooden weaving boards made from polished rosewood are the straightforward choice for beginners: smooth surfaces, comfortable to handle, and made from robust material. They are well suited for beginners and for regular use, without the loss of a board making a painful dent in your budget. The horn weaving boards are historically more plausible – horn was a versatile raw material used for everyday objects in the Middle Ages. Polished horn allows threads to glide particularly smoothly, which makes the work easier. The bone weaving boards are the most authentic: bone finds with drilled holes from Viking Age and medieval excavation sites provide direct evidence of this use. The higher price reflects the raw material and the more labour-intensive processing.
For those new to reed weaving, we recommend the set of five in wood or horn – five reeds are sufficient for simple patterns and your first practice borders. If you wish to work with more complex patterns and wider bands, you will need more reeds; the sets can be easily combined.
Whether you’re sewing a medieval garment for the first time or specifically looking for authentic hand tools for your living history project – in our range you’ll find hand-forged scissors in various sizes, sturdy linen thread and weaving boards made from three different materials. Browse through the category and find the right tools for your next project.
Frequently asked questions
For hand-sewing garments, bow scissors with blade lengths of 3–5 cm are particularly suitable: they are precise, sit comfortably in the hand and open automatically thanks to their spring action. For larger fabric cuts, cutting shears with 7–9 cm blades are more practical. Both types are made from carbon steel and can be resharpened if necessary.
The number indicates how many individual threads have been twisted together. 12-ply thread is more tear-resistant and slightly thicker than 10-ply thread due to the additional threads, but has a slightly shorter length for the same weight. For normal sewing work on tunics or dresses, 10-ply thread is sufficient; for high-stress seams on bags, belts or heavy woollen fabrics, 12-ply thread is the better choice.
In the Middle Ages, sewing was predominantly women’s work and encompassed the entire textile provision for the household: clothing for all family members, bed linen, sacks, carrying bags and, occasionally, ecclesiastical textiles such as altar cloths or chasubles. Linen and wool were the main materials used, with silk also featuring in wealthier households. All sewing was done by hand, as the sewing machine was not invented until the 19th century.
The basic techniques have remained remarkably similar. The running stitch, backstitch and overcast stitch for finishing edges have been known since the Middle Ages and were used in the production of clothing and household goods. Archaeological finds of medieval textiles reveal fine, even hand-stitches that suggest a high level of craftsmanship. The most important difference: in the Middle Ages, only natural fibres were used for sewing.
For those starting out in tablet weaving, the 5-piece wooden set is recommended – it is affordable, robust and easy to handle. With five tablets, you can already weave simple patterns and your first braids. Those who value greater authenticity should opt for the horn set, which is also well-documented historically. The bone set is the highest-quality option and is aimed at advanced weavers who wish to work closely with archaeological findings.