Very fine lace used for costume trimmingBobbin lace edging. Sample

The Fashion & Design collection of Kew Historical Society includes examples of textiles dating from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Some of the textiles, were used as items of clothing, others as items of household decoration, or simply as travel souvenirs. These textiles were created both domestically and internationally. Predictably with the growth of an ethnically and culturally more diverse community in Kew after the Second World War, textiles, clothing and objects in the collection inevitably reflected this diversity. This form of bobbin lace is made in Malta. It is a guipure style of lace. Maltese lace is worked as a continuous width tape lace on a tall, thin, upright lace pillow called a "Trajbu" and the Bobbins are called "Combini" . Bigger pieces are made of two or more parts sewn together. Lace made in Malta was originally needle lace, from the 16th to the 19th century, when the economic depression in the islands nearly led to the extinction of lacemaking there. But in the mid 1800s, Lady Hamilton Chichester sent lacemakers from Genoa to Malta. They used the old needle lace patterns and turned them into bobbin lace, which was quicker. It was not long after its introduction that the Maltese lace developed its own style from Genoese lace. Maltese lace was shown at The Great Exhibition of 1851 and it became popular in Britain. The style was copied by lacemakers in the English Midlands, and it was one of the sources for Bedfordshire lace. Maltese lace usually has the following characteristics which are useful for identification: It is usually made from cream silk. There is often the 8 pointed Maltese cross as part of the pattern, worked in whole or cloth stitch.The pattern may also have closely worked leaves known as “wheat ears” or “oats”. These are plump and rounded in shape, rather than the long narrow leaves of other types of bobbin lace. Maltese lace edging. It shows the Wheat ears, characteristic of Maltese lacelace, maltese lace, lace tape

The sample of crochet lace is an example of a handmade item that would have been used to decorative purpose around the home. It may have been used to edge curtains, a table runner or a mantlepiece. The Christmas Bells pattern suggests usage as a Christmas decoration.The item is significant socially to show the use of textile crafts, such as handmade crocheted lace, to decorate regular domestic objects around the home such as curtains and mantlepieces.Length of handmade crochet lace. Mercerised white crochet thread has been used to crochet a repeat pattern consisting of three rows: a decorative top row, a middle section of diamond shapes and a bottom row of Christmas bells.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, lace, handmade lace, crocheted lace, decorative edging, decorative lace edging, domestic object, crocheted trim

Textiles. Brown velvet handbag with ornate decorative silver metal frame with slide clasp. Silver metalchain carrying handle with three metal rings attaching tow pieces of chain. Lined with brown leather. Name written in pen inside handbag , possibly C.Martin, difficult to read.textiles, domestic, ladies brown velvet handbag

Grey woolen blanket with some blue stripes used by the army in VictoriaD D Tweedside Victoria 1952

Use: Domestic. Household trimmingBobbin lace edging. Sample

Object. Masonic apron of white kid leather & silk with royal blue & burgundy border in geometric design, hung with gold plated emblems, chains & balls. Waistband has brass clasp in shape of 2 snakes. Matching sash with fringed ends.societies, freemasons, regalia, f. g. jones collection, masonic regalia, masonic apron & sash

When in the desert it is frightening to see a distant fire, even though you may not see the actual flames. As evening approaches the sky reflects anger and colour. The mesa is also reflecting some of the glow . I imagined it had been burnt already and some embers are still aglow in the evening light All fabrics used in this work are cotton commercial fabrics. My stitching has been done to accentuate the red reflection in the sky. Black rayon thread gives a certain sheen to the mesa with a dried grassy foreground. ‘Sky Series’ Changes are constantly taking place in the sky . I love the variety, colour and movement of the sky which are all a direct result of the clouds, sun and time of day. I certainly think about the sky much more when we are on Safari. The sky is a great indicator of the ever changing time of day and weather conditions …... fine and clear, cloudy, sunset, sunrise and storms. The artwork features a simple ‘mesa’ shape against the sky. A mesa is a flat topped hill. Which are part of the Australian Inland. The mesa I have featured is in recognition of Mt Connor in the Northern Territory.Wangaratta Art Gallery CollectionA embroidered textile depiction of an outback landscape scene during a fire featuring a colour palette of pinks, purples, and browns.june brown, textile, landscape

Given to Pat Richardson by her mother Vera McDowell in 1980's and worked by her Grandmother, Martha Edwards in 1910Cream cotton doyley. Crochet in pineapple designdomestic items, table setting

Pair of pin-tucked and cotton lace trimmed pillow cases. Cream linen fabric with a 3.5cm deep scalloped cotton lace on opening edge featuring a floral pattern. There is a ribbon insert of same pattern 6.5cm from the edge. There are four and five rows of pin-tucking either side of insert.favaloro, pin-tucks, cotton lace

An example of the Cotton Reels used by residents of City of Moorabbin and Australia in 20th CAn example of the Cotton Reels used by residents of City of Moorabbin and Australia in 20th CA wooden cotton reel with some white thread remaining from the 400yards when made Around Top of reel J&P COATS MACHINE 10 COTTON / BEST S........ / 400 YDS Base damaged 366 METRES

The inks used were fabric printing inks and two colours were applied at the one time on the same roller, the roller being inked with green on one side and red on the other. The roller was a sponge paint roller 100mm wide. The technique used was 'soft bed release'. This is where the fabric is placed over a soft bed (woolen blanket with cotton overlay) and the inked block is placed on top of the fabric, then body weight is applied to the back of the block by placing the hands on the block and transferring weight through the body and into the hands. The block is then lifted and the process starts allover again.Rural City of Wangaratta CollectionA repetitive pattern of gum blossoms that has been printed on a rectangular piece of pure silk twill in green and red ink by a lino block.wangaratta art galley, print, lino block, flora, gum, christine upton, textile, australian flora

The jug cover has beads on the border, which are used to weigh the cover down and keep it on the jug. In the Words of donor, Betty Stone, … “These crocheted and embroidered articles cover a period of three generations- ie. Sarah (nee Chamberlain) Lees, Ann (nee Lees) Dale, and Daisy Elvena (nee Dale) Welsh. All three were accomplished needlewomen; also, both Sarah Lees (born 1844) and her daughter, Ann (b 1865) crocheted a wide variety of articles for use in their homes. A few examples of these items have survived the years.” It was a tradition for brides to have a 'glory box' containing linen and embroidered articles to take to their new home. Many of the items were made by Daisy, a skilled dressmaker. Daisy began her apprenticeship at two shillings and sixpence per week at Miss A. E. Emery's dressmaking establishment at 150-152 Liebig Street, Warrnambool. Considered to be the leading house of fashion in Warrnambool, Miss Emery employed about eight young women who worked long hours to sew elaborate gowns for clients, including wives of graziers who would attend the race carnivals and social functions in Warrnambool. (NOTE: For additional information please refer to my book Pioneer and Places- A History of Three Warrnambool Pioneering Families ie. Chamberlain, Dale and Lees families) This item is associated with the Warrnambool pioneer families of Chamberlain, Dale and Lees. These families are listed in the Pioneers' Register for Warrnambool Township and Shire, 1835-1900, published by A.I.G.S. Warrnambool Branch. The item is significant for its association with a ‘glory box’ or hope chest’, a tradition of single ladies making and collecting a range of linen and other domestic items in preparation for their future marriage. The item is a fine example of early 20th-century needlework and handmade domestic items.Jug Cover, white crocheted square with a Maltese Cross incorporated in the design and green beads on the crocheted edge. Part of the Chamberlain Dale Lees Collection.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, chamberlain family, dale family, lees family, betty stone, warrnambool pioneer, warrnambool genealogy, wangoom, chamberlain dale lees collection, glory box, handmade, craft, manchester, linen, haberdashery, miss a.e. emery dressmaker, needlework, crochet, jug cover, crocheted cover

Use: Domestic. Household trimmingBobbin lace edging. Sample

The Hamilton-Smith collection was donated by the children of Grace Mary Hamilton-Smith nee Ellwood (1911-2004) and John Hamilton-Smith (1909-1984) who settled in Wodonga in the 1940s. The Ellwood family had lived in north-east Victoria since the late 1800s. Grace’s mother, Rosina Ellwood nee Smale, was the first teacher at Baranduda in 1888, and a foundation member of the C.W.A. Rosina and her husband Mark retired to Wodonga in 1934. Grace and John married at St. David’s Church, Albury in 1941. John was a grazier, and actively involved in Agricultural Societies. The collection contains significant items which reflect the local history of Wodonga, including handmade needlework, books, photographs, a wedding dress, maps, and material relating to the world wars. This quilt sampler was made before 1900 by Rosina Ellwood. Crazy quilts were fashionable in the late Victorian era. The rise of the trend is attributed to the display of Japanese art and ceramics at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition (U.S.A.) that featured asymmetrical designs. Inspired, quilters began sewing pieces of fabric of different sizes and textures together into abstract, asymmetrical patterns. The craze spread from America around the world. Embroidery, ribbon and silk embellishments, and hand stitched applique birds and flowers were popular additions. One magazine estimated that a detailed crazy quilt could take over 1,500 hours to complete. Crazy quilts remained in fashion in metropolitan cities until about 1910, though the style endured for longer in rural areas. This item is unique, handmade and has a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of domestic and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history, social history and women’s history.A colourful patchwork quilt sampler using mixed fabric types including velvet, cotton, brocade and satin, backed on cardboard.hamilton-smith collection, hamilton-smith, stiching, needlework, sewing, handmade, domestic, quilt, quilts, crazy quilt, crazy quilts, women's history

Part of a selection of garments knitted by ‘Tina Knitwear’. Tina Knitwear was a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010, run by Assunta and Franco Liburti. Daughter Melissa Persi writes: Our parents Assunta (Mum) and Franco (Dad) Liburti ran a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010. Assunta was affectionately known to her family as Assuntina, therefore the business was named "Tina Knitwear" after her. Assunta and Franco were born in the beautiful seaside town of Terracina in Italy in 1933 and 1930 respectively. As was so common in Italy in the 1950s, Assunta who was in her late teens and early twenties learnt the intricate skills of machine knitting, dressmaking and pattern making. Franco on the other hand, learnt the building trade with his 2 brothers and specialised in bricklaying and tiling. As was so common after the war, Assunta and Franco yearned for a better life so they decided that they would get engaged and then migrate to Australia to be married and raise their family in Australia, a land of much opportunity which they no longer felt their beloved Italy held for them. Assunta migrated to Australia first in 1957 and later Franco joined her in 1958 where they were married. For the first few years, Franco (also known as Frank) worked as bricklayer /tiler on buildings such as the Robert Menzies building at Monash University in Clayton and various buildings in the Melbourne CBD. Assunta on the other hand put her machine knitting skills to use working in factories doing piece machine knitting for various knitwear companies. The hours were long, the conditions were difficult, and travel was onerous without a car. After their 2 older children were born, it was decided that dad would leave the building trade and they would start their own made to order knitwear business. That way they could work from home and raise their family together. Mum taught dad everything he needed to know so he could operate the knitwear machinery. They purchased COPPO knitting machines from Italy and a Linking machine from Germany. Initially they had a knitwear shopfront in Bay Street Brighton where a store assistant would take the orders and client’s measurements and Assunta would then make the garments from a small workshop in their home. Unfortunately, the assistants were not skilled dressmakers and often measurements and orders were incorrectly taken. Assunta being the perfectionist and highly skilled machinist that she was, decided that she needed to oversee the entire process from meeting the client, to taking their order, right thru to the fittings and completion of the garment. It therefore made sense that they should close the shop front and run their business from their own home in Brighton and hence “Tina Knitwear” was born. Together, for more than 40 years they ran their very respected and successful business and were well known in the Bayside area. They specialised in made to order knitwear for both men and women using mainly pure wool (from Patons, Wangaratta Mills, Japan and Italy) but also lurex and estacel. Over those years, many of their clients became their close friends. It wasn't unusual for clients to come to order garments and then end up in the kitchen chatting over a cup of Italian espresso coffee and homemade biscuits. Some of their clients were especially memorable and became lifelong friends. Mrs Connell was a dear friend of mum’s, each year she would buy tickets for the “Gown of the Year” fashion show. She would insist on taking Assunta and her 2 daughters so that we could see the latest fashions. Then there was their dear friend Ms Griffiths. She had been a Matron nurse at the Queen Victoria Hospital when she met my parents in the 1970s. She returned to live in New Zealand in the 1980s but came back to Melbourne every year to stay for 2 weeks with the sole purpose of visiting my parents (she adored them) and order garments. For those 2 solid weeks, mum and dad would only knit for Ms Griffiths and she would go back to New Zealand with at least 5 or 6 new outfits. I actually think she enjoyed mum’s homemade pasta almost as much as her new clothes! Over the years, my parents learnt to speak English very well given that majority of their clients were not Italian speaking. Their oldest child John born in 1960 learnt to speak English with the help of those clients who were such a big part of our childhood. Mum and dad always went above and beyond to ensure their clients were satisfied. Mum was an absolute perfectionist and it showed in her attention to detail and the quality of their beautiful work. You only need to look at the garments that have stood the test of time or speak to their clients to know that this is true. Their clients would always comment on how well their clothes would last and much of their clients came via word of mouth and recommendations. Occasionally there would be disagreements because mum had found an error in dad's knitting (either a wrong stitch or a sizing mistake mainly) and would ask him to redo a piece, he would argue back saying that it was fine, but we always knew who would win the argument and that the piece would get remade! Similarly, we recall discussions where mum would ask dad to find a particular colour of wool in the garage where the stock was kept. He would try to convince her that they were out of stock of that colour and that the client should choose a different colour. She would insist they had it and then after hours of searching, he would return into the house sheepishly holding the wool! Our childhood is full of beautiful memories of mum and dad always being present, clients coming and going, mum humming her favourite songs as she worked often late into the night and sometimes, we even fell asleep to the hum of the machinery. They put their heart and soul into "Tina Knitwear" and took pride in providing only the best quality garments for their clients. In Italian there is a saying “lei ha le mani d’oro” which literally translated means “she has hands of gold”. Franco enjoyed his work but for Assunta, it was more than just work and there is no better way to describe her skills, passion and dedication to her machine knitting… she truly did have “hands of gold”. We will forever be grateful that our parents’ life journey gave us the opportunity to live in a home filled with creativity, dedication and passion, amazing work ethic and mutual respect, lifelong friendships and a lifetime of love. Red jumper with rounded v neck collar. knitwear, clothing, italy, migrants, brighton, knitting machine, linking machine, garments, business, family, community

Textiles. Fine linen fabric, white in colour. The top of the cover is finished with an 8 cm deep band of cotton crochet, featuring a diamond shaped pattern - each diamond 5.5 cm deep. A band of 4 pin-tucks, in a 6.5 cm band of linen, and then another band of 4 pin-tucks and a 5 cm deep band of crochet with a slightly narrower band of diamond shapes, and five rows of pin-tucks complete the handwork.textiles, domestic, bolster pillow case with crochet

From the estate of the late Jean Ord, mother of the donor.Crotched mat of six medallions linked around a centre circle.handcrafts, crocheting or crochet work

Part of a travelling salesman's lace samples from Plauen, East Germany, a lace making town since 13th Century.4 sample pieces of cream machine made lace stitched to backing board.On display stand ' C. R. Eichhom Plaven I. V. 'handcrafts, lacemaking

This textile is one of many 19th century items of furniture, linen and crockery donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village by, Vera and Aurelin Giles. The items are associated with Warrnambool and the Giles Family history. Items donated by the family have come to be known as the “Giles Collection”. Many items in the Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage were donated by Vera and Aurelin Giles and mostly came from the home of Vera’s parents-in-law, Henry Giles and his wife Mary Jane (nee Freckleton) who married in 1880 and whose photos are on display in the parlour. Henry was born at Tower Hill in 1858, and was a labourer on the construction of the Warrnambool Breakwater before leaving in 1895 for around seven years to build bridges in NSW. Mary Jane was born in 1860 at Cooramook and she attended Mailor’s Flat State School and where she eventually was to become a student teacher. After which she became a governess at “Injemiara” where her grandfather, Francis Freckleton, had once owned land. Henry and Mary’s family consisted of six, some of the children were born at Mailor’s Flat and later some children at Wangoom. They lived with their parents at Wangoom and Purnim west, and this is where Henry died in 1933 and Mary Jane in 1940.The Giles family collection is of social significance at a local level, because it not only illustrates the level of material support the Warrnambool community gave to Flagstaff Hill during it’s establishment. But the Giles collection also gives us today a snapshot into what domestic life was like in early colonial times prior to Federation.Cabin Trunk Cover, white with knitted lace fringe on all sidesNoneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, trunk cover, giles collection, henry giles, tower hill, cooramook, warrnambool breakwater, mailor’s flat, wangoom, 19th century household goods, textile

Collector says: Once I had gathered a dozen or so blankets, I started noticing the many different labels; where they were made, by who, the logos and fonts used. Then the labels became a thing, then the blankets had to have a label to join the collection. My favourite labels are by Physician, they had at least 4 different labels over the decades but the best has to be the Lady In Bed logo. Physician, Onkaparinga, Eagley and others matched the colour of the label to the colour of the blanket - a nice touch. Strangely, Castlemaine labels were always sewn on the back of the blanket where all the other mills sewed theirs on the front. To this day I always roll or fold a blanket with its label on display.Collector says: "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from."Queen sized checked blanket, pink and cream An Onkaparinga 100% pure wool production. In emblem: Made in Australiawool, blanket, blanket fever, onkaparinga

This silk nightdress was made by Mabel Church in the 1920s. Mabel undertook a dress making and tailoring apprenticeship at Whan's Store in High Street, Wodonga.This item has well documented provenance and a known owner. It contributes to our understanding of domestic and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history.A mid-length silk nightdress with hand stitched embroidery on collar and sleeves.silk, dress making, dress, tailor, apprencticeship, nightdress, 1920s, wodonga, whan's store, albury wodonga

Textiles. Calico bag - ''Harpers Flaked Oatmeal'' Star brand, Trademark Registered ''My Brekfus'' 7 lbs Net. Robert Harper and Company Limited Australia. Head and shoulders drawing of a blonde haired girl surrounded by wheat.On the other side of the bag is a blue and white picture of a box of ''Silver Star Starch''. Robert Harper and Co Ltd. Slogan written on box, '' The best in the world. Won't sick to the Iron''. Robert Harper and Company (1842-1919), businessman and politician, was born in Scotland. He migrated to Melbourne with his family in August 1856. He worked for J.F.McKenzie & Co., roasting and grinding millers. In 1865 he established Robert Harper & Co., trading in tea, coffee and spices from the East Indies and later in oatmeal and flour.textiles, domestic, robert harper and co calico bag

Textiles. Calico flour bag printed on both sides in black ink. 1. ''Jones, Miller & Co's Royal Self Raising Flour, 5 lbs Net. Factory Bendigo, Victoria. Coat of Arms printed in centre JM&C. Illegible signature in brown ink in one corner. 2. JONES, MILLER & CO.Self Raising Flour Factory Manufactures of Jams, Jellies, Canned Fruits, Pickles, Tomato Sauce, Chutneys, Custard Powders, Essences, Etc. Williamson & Myers Streets, Bendigo, Victoria. Telephone 73 and 19 Box 50. Collection has another in linen fabric which has been unstitched on side and bottom seams. Uncatalogued. The Bendigonian reported in 1933 that Jones, Miller and Company had an up-to-date factory that had already gained a standard of excellence for Bendigo pure food products.textiles, domestic, jones, miller & co flour bags