This Victorian gift – a Mandolin Pin Holder, is quite unique, not only as a pin holder but when used as an ornament, as well. A great way to use up scraps of material, too.
A Hand-Made Victorian Christmas Gift
For more gift making ideas, see the list at the bottom of the page.
A Mandolin Pin Holder. — Fig. 4 is a mandolin, or banjo. For the latter instrument the round may be smaller.
Click on picture to see more detail.
The materials are a little bit of white satin, a little bit of red, some black grosgrain, some narrow, red satin ribbon, a penny worth of spangles, white and black and yellow sewing silk, and some small white pins ; also a little cardboard and gum.
Cut two rounds the size of that in Fig. 4, and two straight pieces by the same illustration.
Cover both of the latter on one side with black grosgrain.
Cover the rounds — one with white, the other with cherry colored satin, each on one side only.
Cut a bridge for the mandolin as for the guitar; cover it with black, and stitch it on.
Paint a circle on the white satin to form the hole in the center, or make it of spangles. Gilt circles can be bought in paper as well as gilt lions.
Gum the spangles round the circles. Stitch on one of the black pieces, and then form the strings of the yellow silk.
Stitch the other black piece to the red circle.
Stitch both black pieces together, and then the circles together with whitesilk.
Stick pins all round the circle only, and make a loop of cherry ribbon, and a handsome knot of bows at the top.