I had a friend who was a hairdresser and is now semi-retired and still uses the irons n her friends Great Box from the past.

Paper clip looking thing is for knitting cable patterns.

Neat box of treasures! Thanks for sharing pictures~

Great box of goodies! The only ones I knew was the darning egg and hair curler. A lot of non-sewing related items end up mixed in with sewing stuff. I think sewing boxes and drawers on sewing machine cabinets are just handy places for small items to collect.
Rodney

Sewing Box Contents
 

What a lovely thing to have. History in a sewing box. All of the things were identified, but nobody commented on the white knitting needles. These were for knitting gloves and socks. I remember my mother knitting gloves and socks for my Uncle Gene, who was in Korea. He is still living. She could have purchased gloves and socks for instant shipment, but she chose to knit wool ones. It must have been a loving thing she could do to help him. They never had dry socks. It was a very complicated process. Much love was sent in that box. He later said, "We had to dry a pair of socks under clothing, next to the body to have dry pair the next day". We should help the soldiers whenever we can. They really appreciate our efforts.

My Mom or Grandma never had a darning egg that I know of. They used burned-out light bulbs for sock darning, which my Mom still does at 85 years old.

CD in Oklahoma

Nice box of treasures. Thank you for sharing.

is that a little bee on the pincushion ?

Looks like a nice collection for a shadow box display.
sandy

Yes! Someone made a styrofoam covered "beehive" pincushion, complete with a bee!

And thank you all for the great job of deciphering what were "unknowns" to me. Always so fun to gain a little more wisdom from you great folks! Have a great day.