Double Ended Darning Mushroom
A beautiful vintage darning mushroom that's a little more unusual - one end can be used just like a standard darning mushroom and the other D-shape end is useful for mending socks, in particular toes, soles and heels.
Simply unscrew the rounded d-shape part from the base of the handle to create a standard darning mushroom.
Carefully sourced by us from a vintage market, because secondhand is better than new in so many ways!
Suitable for:
- darning most items of clothing including socks.
- mending holes, tears, thread bare areas and covering a stain.
- patching and embroidery.
This mushroom has a little 'character' - minor chips, surface scratches, dents, tiny holes and marks from it's previous life, but is still in usable conditon with an authentic vintage feel.
Measurements (approx):
Overall Height: 18cm
Cap Diameter: 5.5cm
Width of D-Shape Form: 6.8cm (at widest point)
History of the Darning Mushroom
This darning tool was an essential item in 19th and early 20th century household as self-reliant women often had to make and repair all their clothing. They were commonly made using wood as it was widely availiable and not too expensive, but following the invention of early plastic many were made using Bakelite.
They made it much easier to stitch a repair: not too tight and not too slack. The top part of the mushroom was placed behind the hole to hold the darning area taut for working. Its 'stalk' with the rest of the fabric around it, was held in one hand and the darning needle was worked with the other hand.
There are various types besides the basic darning mushroom. A darning egg (for socks and tights), and a darning stick (for gloves). Some are made with detachable handles so you can store a few needles and a small amount of thread which is easily to hand an emergency!
