thinking of the pincushion Elizabeth Shakelton might havebeen carrying it around with her in her "pocket".

This was not a pocket sewn onto a garment like a jacket as we aahve today.18th century, and very early 19th cnetury "pockets" were long pockets of linen with a slit in the top surface for access for the hands.You carried essential items around with you, by lacing them in the pocket.They were attatched around the waist by tabs, usualy made of the same matrial or ribbon

They were worn over ones chemise, and in the 18th cneutry under ones quilted pettticoat,open robe and apron,but were accessible through sidesplits in the garments.

Do you remember Lucy Locket "who lost her pocket"?( an old nursery rhyme)" Well it was one of these that she so unfortunately lost.