Flatware Rolls

I made these rolls as a way to keep my 1850s  flatware and serving spoons tidy and clean when not in use, and to make it easier to pack for events (by which I mean "tea at Ft. Steilacoom.") I still don't have a good way to transport the used items home, but it's definitely an improvement. 

Open rolls, showing the pockets for each knife, spoon, or fork.

These are not based off of a specific antique design, but instead on the general idea of a rolled sewing kit. I've also seen a traveling surgeon's kit and a toilet sachet (toiletries bag) from the mid-19th century using this general organizational scheme, it's not completely outlandish. [Same idea underlies my straw tool roll.] However, I'm not exactly going to brandish them about at events, lest I give someone the idea that this was a typical way to store silverware.

Closed rolls. No problem with things sliding out so far.

The rolls are both made from 18" x 18" squares of 1.2 mm wool felt, selected both for its body (no need to line the rolls or bind edges) and its ability to wick moisture (the flatware being carbon steel and Britanniaware). One pocket on each is folded; the excess height cut off the spoon roll made the second pocket on the knife/fork roll.

 All told this was a quick and easy project. I used a ruler to sew the spoon pockets, but found it both faster and neater to mark the sewing lines in chalk on the fork/knife roll.