Three hundred years after Hannah Haines embroidered the original linen pocket with yellow silk in England (1718–1720), I set out to recreate her design—this time using yellow wool on linen. The original pocket, now held in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection (Museum no. T.42-1935), features a charming floral motif stitched in backstitch, offering a glimpse into the domestic needlework of the early 18th century.

I began the project in December, and after setting it aside for the past six months, I finally completed it today.

Here is the original pocket:

In the 18th century, pockets were worn beneath gowns, separate from the garments themselves rather than sewn into them.

The size of this pocket indicates it was probably made for a smaller woman or a young girl.

After finishing the embroidery, I lined the front panel with a second layer of linen to prevent the stitches from snagging. Yellow, a cheerful and suitable color, was used for the binding, and the final touch was a vintage-inspired fabric from Acufactum.

Pockets like this provide a valuable way to improve your stitching skills, connect with the work of previous embroiderers, and craft something beautiful by hand.