Darning Eggs

With all the talk of Easter eggs this time of year, here’s one you might not expect.
Before instant fashion (and before it was easier to toss than to mend), a humble little tool like this was a household essential.
Meet the darning egg.
These smooth, egg-shaped tools were placed inside a sock to hold the fabric taut while holes were carefully stitched and rewoven. Instead of fighting the fabric, the smooth, rounded shape gave you a firm surface to stitch against—especially in tricky spots like heels and toes.
At a time when clothing was made to last, tools like these were part of everyday life. Socks were mended, patched, and worn again and again.
Some were simple egg shapes, while others had handles like small mushrooms, but they all served the same purpose: helping well-loved pieces last a little longer.
Not the kind of egg you’d hunt for, but one that certainly earned its place in the home.