While digging in some boxes of family stuff stored away, I came across this little needle case.

I wish I knew who in my husband's family made it. It could have been the Swedish grandmother, the German needlewoman, the English great-grandmother or someone further back in time. I know it had to have been a few generations back judging from the outer fabric.

And on examining it further, I decided it was made not by a mature woman, but a child.

I would love to know what the inside stiffening material is. I have a feeling it is not cardboard but very thin wood.

Too bad the fastening button is gone; that would have been a big clue. It was very small whatever it was.

The needle case is only about 2 inches by 4 inches. And the strap on the spine is a unique feature--as if it was pinned to an apron or a dress. Maybe it hung from a chatelaine.

Can anyone tell me about the fabric?  I'm sure it was much brighter when new. The rusty brown weave is overshot and still has a shine. Silk, maybe?