Aneedlecase orneedle case is a small, often decorative, holder forsewing needles. Early needlecases were usually small tubular containers of bone, wood, or bronze with tight-fitting stoppers, often designed to hang from a belt. Needlecases are often components of anétui and are typically one of the tools attached to achatelaine.^{[1]: 37–38}Apin poppet is a similar container forpins, common in the 18th century.^[2][3] Bodkin cases, made for larger, thickerbodkin needles, were made in the 18th and early 19th centuries.^[4]: 62

Early sewing needles were precious items and easily lost. Needlecases were a necessity for storing these fragile objects, and are found in cultures around the world. Tubular bronze needlecases are common finds fromViking-age sites in Europe. Cane needlecases were found in a grave fromCerro Azul, Peru, dated to 1000–1470 AD.^[5] Bone, leather and metal needlecases have been found fromMedieval London,^[2] and bone or ivory needlecases were made byInuit.^[6] Bone and ivory needlecases and pin poppets were also popular in 18th century America.^[2]

Some medieval needlecases were suspended from a cord attached to a girdle that encircled the waist. These effective but basic needlecases were composed of something soft that was sewn to the cord to hold the needles, and a short hollow piece of wood or bone covered this It could be raised as needed to retrieve a needle.^[1]: 73

During the Tudor period in England, needlecases began to be fashioned as needlebooks, but by the early 18th century, cylindrical cases replaced the books that allowed moisture to rust the needles. These needlecases were made of many materials, but had in common their length (3 inches up to 5 inches) and the fact that the top and bottom screwed together. Some are extremely finely made.^[1]: 74

Elaborate needlework confections like the frog-shaped needlecase in theLos Angeles County Museum of Art appeared by the 16th century. These expensive needlecases, usually made out of a precious metal, were designed to be "a thing of joy," as well as a practical item.^{[1]: 74–75} The Eiffel Tower needlecase shown in the gallery is another example of such a delight.

Unusual needlecases found in the Netherlands include ones that have the family crest at one end or the other, in order to be used as a seal. More rare is one that has two different seals at either end of the needlecase. These needlecases featuring seals were popular in the 18th and first half of the 19th centuries. A late 18th century Dutch needlecase takes the form of a thimble house--there is a separate cylinder at the top for a thimble.^{[7]: 80–82}

Heavily decorated silver and brass needlecases are typical of theVictorian period. Between 1869 and 1887,W. Avery & Son, an English needle manufactory, produced a series of figural brass needlecases, which are now highly collectible. Avery's dominance of this market was such that all similar brass Victorian needlecases are called "Averys".^[8]

One style of needlecase was inspired by a French breech-loading machine gun, themitrailleuse. It could discharge bullets from its multiple barrels all at once or rapidly one after another. The needlecase style bearing this name was a cylinder divided in compartments, each of which contained numerous needles of the same size. A revolving cap would allow the selected size compartment to open and discharge needles. Sears, Roebuck and Co. and other firms sold these needlecases inexpensively.^{[4]: 68–69}

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Look upneedlecase in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Needlecases in museum collections

• Inuit Art: Needle cases, Canadian Museum of History
• Mongolian/Tibetan silver needlecase, 19th century, McClung Museum
• Carved wooden needlecase, 15th century Flanders, Hermitage Museum
• Needlecase with hanging loops, 1550-1680, Museum of London

• Sewing equipment

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