there is a Beeton's Book of Needlework that is fun to flip through. (originally published in 1870)
http://books.google.com/books?id=lxH...over&dq=Beeton's+Book+of+Needlework&hl=en&ei=W2CLToLEN4yltwf-g5GwAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
just found this one:
Method for teaching plain needlework in schools, by a lady [signed M.E.B.]. By M E. B, Method (1861)
http://books.google.com/books?id=w58...page&q&f=false
(sorry - you are probably not looking for this kind of stuff..)