Feature Friday: Penny River, LLC

This month’s featured business, Penny River, LLC, specializes in historical accessories and sewing supplies, and their kits, in particular, are fan favorites. Owner Jess knows that there is nothing quite so satisfying as a well-stocked kit, so each one in the shop comes with everything you need to start making the project immediately, including pins, thread, needles, pre-cut pieces, etc.

Her embroidered pocket kits are hand-drawn and hand-printed, and a new, exclusive design is released every year. Based on extant English and American pockets from 1765–1795, 2021’s design features elegant swirling vines and florals, and comes in four different color palettes. You can pick a favorite color or you coordinate your pocket with your historical wardrobe!

You can also find patterns only for past years’ designs—perfect if you already have a stash full of supplies and need some inspiration for what to do with it all! Each pattern comes with an illustrated instruction booklet as well as a guide to basic embroidery stitches.

Want to try your hand at a different type of embroidery? The shop also carries kits for flame stitch needlepoint. You can make either a pin ball or a wallet, and each kit is also available in four different colorways.

If you would rather purchase something than make your own, the shop carries a range of accessories for your historic or modern wardrobe, including jewelry, stockings, and an exclusive line of block printed kerchiefs. Inspired by historic designs, the scarves are sold in limited runs and are hand-printed with natural dyes on cotton voile. Options include more understated colors like this soft blue and gray design.

Or bold like this black and yellow kerchief.

Either design would look stylish when paired with either a winter coat or an 18th century Anglaise.

You can also find made-to-measure mitts in wool, silk, and linen. These are fully hand sewn and can be made in a variety of fabric and embroidery color combinations, so you can create your own custom designed mitts.

Additionally, Jess runs project called the Fabric Bunker, where she sells quality vintage fabric rescued from various sources, including retired tailors and professional decorators. These sales are periodically announced on her Instagram, so be sure to give her a follow if you want to find out more!

You can find all of the items featured and more in her shop, www.etsy.com/shop/pennyriver, and you can follow her on Instagram @pennyrivercostumes.