Tatting is a form of knotted lace making using thread and a small shuttle. Twisted threads are tied around or through small, pointed shuttles that can be made of bone, mother of pearl, tortoise shell, steel or plastic. This produces a stable, strong lace using simple knots of two half hitches to make rings and chains embellished with picots.The origins of tatting are not clear but early versions of decorative knotting were used by the Egyptians on their ceremonial dress. Tatting also has elements of fishermen's net making techniques and the decorative knotting that was practiced by aristocratic women from the 15th century.Tatting, as we know it today, emerged in the first half of the 19th century. The new availability of mercerised thread from 1835 encouraged a burgeoning of lace crafts of all sorts. It was known in Italy as "occhi" and in France as "la frivolite". Tatting looks fragile but is both strong and durable. An article in a column named "Wives and Daughters" published in the Star newspaper in May 1910 describes the durability of tatting lace - "there is edging and insertion still in existence that have outworn two sets of pillow slips." In the 19th century and well into the 20th century, tatting was used like crochet and knitted lace for decorative edgings, collars, doylies, tray cloths etc. At first, different tatting patterns were passed along by word of mouth from person to person, however in time, patterns regularly appeared in newspapers and magazines well into the 1950's. A shuttle is a small tool that looks like a small boat "sailing" in and out of the thread. Tatting is called "schiffchenarbeit" in German, which means "the work of a little boat". There are two popular types of shuttles. The first has closed ends and a removable bobbin where the thread is wound around - often made from metal or plastic (as is item 8535.1). The second type has a post in the center where the thread is wound (e.g. item 8535.2). The ends of this bobbin are open but snug. Because it is constructed in two pieces, it can be made from materials like bone, ivory or mother of pearl. Shuttles hold a larger amount of thread (as compared with needles) which means fewer ends to weave in. Fishermen in the past are thought to have used large shuttles to weave cord into certain knots whilst making their fishing nets. Their methods were copied by weavers, who innovated by using threads and smaller shuttles to make lace. One type of tatting shuttle produced by "Aero" from the 1930's to the late 1960's was an anodized grey coated aluminium shuttle with a sharp pick at one end. In the 1970's it was superseded by the grey plastic "Aero" which has a removeable bobbin which you can put on the end of the shuttle to make thread winding easier and an embedded crochet hook for joining picots. The "Aero" company developed in Redditch, England - a town renowned as a centre for manufacturing needles. Firms run by Henry Milward and Abel Morrall were based in Redditch and by the 18th century Redditch was manufacturing one million sewing needles per year. Abel Morrall Ltd launched the "Aero" brand in 1936 and greatly expanded the firm's product line to include tatting shuttles and knitting needles. The classic plastic "Aero" tatting shuttle was manufactured in England from the early 1970's until the 1990's. These items are significant as examples of easily accessible handiwork tools that enabled women in the 1930s -1960s to be able to decorate and personalize their household linen and clothing.Shuttle no. 8535.1 is a beige, boat shaped plastic shuttle with enclosed ends, small round central indentations on both sides and an enclosed black removeable bobbin. The shuttle has a grooved point at one end to hold a bobbin and a small metal crochet hook at the other end. Shuttle no. 8535.2 is a beige, boat shaped metal shuttle with pointed ends that are open but snug, small round central indentations and two smaller circular markings (on both sides) and two internal posts with cream thread wound around.Shuttle no. 8535.1 - "AERO" / "ENGLAND" Shuttle no. 8535.2 - "AERO' / "ENGLAND" "39c" (written in ball point pen)flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, tatting shuttle, aero company, handwork, handwork tool, craft, handcraft, needlework, tatting

A "Plain Sewing Sampler" or "Darning Sampler" was intended to showcase the wide range of sewing techniques and skills a girl or woman had. These skills might include hand sewing techniques such as darning, patching, hemming, mending, structural sewing (making pleats, inserting gussets, joining fabric with seams) making buttonholes and embroidery. Samplers could also be intended for practicing a particular technique. There were several articles printed in Australian newspapers around 1889 referring to the "Plain Sewing Movement". In 1889 a Melbourne branch of the "London Institute for the Advancement of Plain Needlework" was formed by a group of ladies led by Lady Loch and Lady Clarke with the purpose of teaching "plain needlework' to women and girls. "Plain Sewing" included fundamental stitches and techniques that were essential for practical clothing construction and maintenance. Several years later in 1891, another meeting was held at Clivedon (the residence of Lady Clarke) to look into the possibility of improving the teaching of sewing in the state schools. This meeting was attended by several school inspectors and the committee of "the Melbourne Institute for the Advancement of Plain Needlework". This "Plain Sewing Sampler" was donated from the estate of Susan Henry OAM nee Vedmore (1944 - 2021). Susan's family (Harold and Gladys Vedmore) immigrated to Australia from Wales in 1955 and settled in Warrnambool. Susan was well known in the Warrnambool community for her work supporting children and families across the district - particular those with disabilities, or those who were homeless, unemployed or isolated. Susan was the founding trustee of the "Vedmore Foundation" - a Warrnambool philanthropic trust set up to support a range of charitable and not-for-profit causes by providing grant assistance. In 2021, she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the community. It has not been possible to identify the lady (with the initials L. L.) who made this item in 1897 but it was thought to possibly be a female relation in her maternal (or possibly, paternal) grandmother's family. It has many of the same elements and techniques that were taught by the "Plain Sewing Movement" that originated in England at the end of the nineteenth century.This item is a rare example of the handcraft skills learnt by women and girls in the late 1890's to construct and maintain practical clothing for their families.A cream cotton sampler made from three smaller rectangular shapes, displaying a wide variety of plain sewing techniques including hand stitched seams (french, bound and herringboned), inserted patch, buttonhole, button, gathering, a gusset, frills, pintucks, a placket, cross stitch initials and date (L L and 1897) and decorative embroidery.L L/1897flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, shipwreck coast, needlework, textiles, plain sewing sampler, darning sampler, handwork, sewing, great ocean road, susan henry oam, vedmore trust, hand sewing, sewing techniques

A "Plain Sewing Sampler" or "Darning Sampler" was intended to showcase the wide range of sewing techniques and skills a girl or woman had. These skills might include hand sewing techniques such as darning, patching, hemming, mending, structural sewing (making pleats, inserting gussets, joining fabric with seams) making buttonholes and embroidery. Samplers could also be intended for practicing a particular technique. There were several articles printed in Australian newspapers around 1889 referring to the "Plain Sewing Movement". In 1889 a Melbourne branch of the "London Institute for the Advancement of Plain Needlework" was formed by a group of ladies led by Lady Loch and Lady Clarke with the purpose of teaching "plain needlework' to women and girls. "Plain Sewing" included fundamental stitches and techniques that were essential for practical clothing construction and maintenance. Several years later in 1891, another meeting was held at Clivedon (the residence of Lady Clarke) to look into the possibility of improving the teaching of sewing in the state schools. This meeting was attended by several school inspectors and the committee of "the Melbourne Institute for the Advancement of Plain Needlework". This "Plain Sewing Sampler" was donated from the estate of Susan Henry nee Vedmore (1944 - 2021). Susan's family (Harold and Gladys Vedmore) immigrated to Australia from Wales in 1955 and settled in Warrnambool. Susan was well known in the Warrnambool community for her work supporting children and families across the district - particular those with disabilities, or those who were homeless, unemployed or isolated. Susan was the founding trustee of the "Vedmore Foundation" - a Warrnambool philanthropic trust set up to support a range of charitable and not-for-profit causes by providing grant assistance. In 2021, she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the community. It has not been possible to identify the lady (with the initials L. L.) who made this item in 1897 but it was thought to possibly be a female relation in her maternal (or possibly, paternal) grandmother's family. It has many of the same elements and techniques that were taught by the "Plain Sewing Movement" that originated in England at the end of the nineteenth century.This item is a rare example of the handcraft skills needed by women and girls in the late 1890's to construct and maintain practical clothing for their families.A cream flannel sampler made from three smaller rectangular shapes, displaying a wide variety of plain sewing techniques including hand stitched seams (french, bound and herringboned), darned patches, inserted patches, pleats, buttonholes, buttons, a gusset, pintucks, a placket, cross stitch initials and date (L L and 1897) and decorative embroidery.L.L. / ?? Yr 1897flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, warrnambool, sewing, plain sewing, sewing sampler, plain sewing sampler, darning sampler, hand sewing, textiles, susan henry oam, vedmore foundation, sewing techniques

This patchwork cushion was handmade in 1898 by Sarah Jane Jones (nee Emerson). It is an example of needlework created in the late 19th century.The cushion is significant for is example of handmade craft and needlework used in the late 19th century for home decor.Round patchwork cushion. Handmade by Sarah Jane Jones (nee Emerson) in 1898.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, cushion, soft furnishing, 1898, victorian, handmade, patchwork, craft, handcraft, sewing, hobby, needlework

This patchwork cushion was handmade in 1898 by Sarah Jane Jones (nee Emerson) and donated by her Great-Granddaughter. It is an example of needlework created in the late 19th century.The cushion is significant for is example of handmade craft and needlework used in the late 19th century for home decor.Round patchwork cushion with irregularly shaped patches of a variety of design and fabric. The pieces are roughly joined together with visible cross stitches. Handmade by Sarah Jane Jones (nee Emerson) in 1898.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, cushion, soft furnishing, 1898, victorian, handmade, patchwork, craft, handcraft, sewing, hobby, needlework

This patchwork cushion was handmade in 1898 by Sarah Jane Jones (nee Emerson) and donated by her Great-Granddaughter. It is an example of needlework created in the late 19th century.The cushion is significant for is example of handmade craft and needlework used in the late 19th century for home decor.Bolster or sausage shaped patchwork cushion with irregularly shaped patches of a variety of design and fabric. A flower and stem are embroidered on one patch. The pieces are roughly joined together with visible cross stitches. Handmade by Sarah Jane Jones (nee Emerson) in 1898.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, cushion, soft furnishing, 1898, victorian, handmade, patchwork, craft, handcraft, sewing, hobby, needlework

This patchwork cushion was handmade in 1898 by Sarah Jane Jones (nee Emerson) and donated by her Great-Granddaughter. It is an example of needlework created in the late 19th century.The cushion is significant for is example of handmade craft and needlework used in the late 19th century for home decor.Round patchwork cushion with irregularly shaped patches of a variety of design and fabric. The pieces are roughly joined together with visible cross stitches. Handmade by Sarah Jane Jones (nee Emerson) in 1898.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, cushion, soft furnishing, 1898, victorian, handmade, patchwork, craft, handcraft, sewing, hobby, needlework

This patchwork cushion section was handmade in 1898 by Sarah Jane Jones (nee Emerson) and donated by her Great-Granddaughter. It is an example of needlework created in the late 19th century. It is believed that the note was added to the cushion at a later date and incorrectly refers to a different item.The cushion section is significant for is example of handmade craft and needlework used in the late 19th century for home decor.Patchwork; a square and a rectangular shape of p patchwork prepared for making into a cushion. Shaped patches of a variety of design and fabric. The pieces are roughly joined together with visible cross stitches. Handmade by Sarah Jane Jones (nee Emerson) in 1898.Pinned to the underside is a note on a piece of fabric.Handwriting reads "Patchwork done by my mother in 1898" flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, soft furnishing, 1898, victorian, handmade, patchwork, craft, handcraft, sewing, hobby, needlework, cushion

Red cardboard Wallet containing sewing needles - front shows in gold letters ' Manning & Co , View Point , Sandhurst , Drapers and Tailors / inside shows blue label with silver lettering ' W . Bartleet & Sons ' Needles First order of merit , Adelaide Jubilee Exhibition , 1887 Eleven gold and other prize medals , Superfine Sewing needles , 5 , 3/7 , 4/8 , 6 / needles are rusty / back of wallet black label with silver type Bartleet & Sons 'Queen's Own '.Manning & Co , View Point , Sandhurst / W . Bartleet & Sons 'handcrafts, needlework equipment, ' manning & co , view point , sandhurst drapers and tailors, /' w . bartleet & sons ' needles first order of merit , adelaide jubilee exhibition , 1887 / bartleet & sons 'queen's own '

2 Thimbles for sewing -1 x Brass - 1x silver - tarnished.handcrafts, needlework equipment

Rectangular cardboard box containing a brass plate and wire sewing instrument marked Daisy.The Great Western Machine or Daidt Needle V.Coat of arms R. Bourkes (Patent) Bourkeshandcrafts, needlework equipment

Style Patterns used by Donor, made up and worn. McCall's - made slacks only and worn by donor.Four Dress Patterns from the 1970s. McCall's Dress Patterns Number one is STYLE 2553 from 1970. Number two is STYLE 1957 from C1970. Number three STYLE 1945 is from C1975 and Number four Style is McCall's 7887 from C1978.STYLE 2553.1957.1945.McCall's 7887handcrafts, dressmaking, domestic items, sewing

From Estate of Jenny LangSewing sampler. Beige background with blue and red embroidery with different stitches.handcrafts, embroidery

Belonged to donorTransfers were a normal part of a woman's sewing equipment from approx 1920's to 1960's for embroidering household and glory box requirements.Booklet containing ten designs of a set theme. Booklets are numbered as per each theme. Book 15 - Nursery Designs Book 11 - Initials, Book 13 - Baby Book, Book 10 - Sprays, Book 7 - Dolly Varden, Book 8 - Scotty DogsTip Top Transfershandcrafts, embroidery

Rug hook, part of Margaret Scarlett's collection of sewing implementsMetal shaft with hook and latchet attached to wooden handleMade in England|Neilhandcrafts, woolwork

This little shirt knitting bag was made so ladies could take their knitting to church to knit as long as it was knitting for the war effort in the First World WarA bag in the shape of a shirt. It has a collar and top at the front, cuff on sleeves, a small pocket with inscription ' Sister Susie Sewing Shirts for Soldiers'. A thick cord joined at the neck to hang on the arm of the knitter. Mustard yellow in colour.' Sister Susie Sewing Shirts for Soldiers'handcrafts, knitting

Small white padded cushion. Cotton base, covered with crochet lace. Could be used for hat pins.handcrafts, needlework, domestic items, sewing

Needle case is part of a collection of sewing tools donated by Betty McPhee.Green mottled leather wallet style case containing sewing needles of various sizes. Includes 5, 4/8, 6 rug, crewel, darners, chenille.handcrafts, equipment

Needles are part of a collection of sewing tools donated by Betty McPhee.Packet of assorted Bodkins and needles used in knitting.Milwards Gold Seal Needleshandcrafts, equipment

Needles are part of a collection of sewing tools donated by Betty McPhee.Packet of double long sewing needles six 3/7.H. Milwards & Sons - Double Long 8 Needles No>3/7handcrafts, equipment

Needle case is part of a collection of sewing tools donated by Betty McPhee.Plastic folder case containing needles of various sizes. Folder has floral picture on front and a green and blue leaf pattern on back.Golden Fleece| Made in Redditch, Englandhandcrafts, equipment

Toy metal sewing machine with wheeled turning mechanism with wooden handle. Incorporates most of the mechanism of a full size machine.Peter Pantoys, mechanical, handcrafts, equipment

Willcox and Gibbs: Serial No. 158679.|The Willcox& Gibbs Sewing Machine Company was founded in 1857 by James E. A. Gibbs and James Willcox and opened its London Office in 1859 at 135 Regent Street . By 1871 the Company's Chief Office for Europe was at 150 Cheapside, London, this office was later moved (post 1885) to 94 - 96 Wigmore Street, then 37 & 39 Moorgate Street (by 1891 to post 1907) and later 20 Fore Street, London .Right from the initial production the manufacturing of the Company's single thread, chain stitch machine was undertaken by Brown & Sharpe, Rhode Island and this continued up until 1948.|A special hand crank mechanism was produced in England for the European market, but the general design of the Willcox& Gibbs remained essentially the same throughout its production. The only major improvement was in 1875 when the glass tension discs were replaced with an automatic tension device which ensured the machine could not get out of adjustment.|In addition to the domestic hand and treadle machines the company produced a wide range of industrial models.|The Company finally closed in 1973.|This Willcox& Gibbs came complete with its wooden carry case. The machine was made in America in the late 1860's but it has the ornate hand crank produced at Coalbrookdale near Telford, England which was, in Victorian times, renown for producing high quality ornate iron castings. This machine has the glass tension discs which were used on domestic models until 1875. The Willcox& Gibbs badge is located on the rear of the base casting and it also has a deep wooden base.|The cloth plate has various American patent dates, four dating between 1857 & 1860 relating to J. E. A. Gibbs, three dating between 1860 & 1864 relating to Chas H. Willcox (son of James Willcox), the machine was also licensed under five other patents including the infamous Elias Howe patent of 1846.|There are only two English patents one for J. E. A Gibbs and the other for James Willcox.Upright sewing machine. Machine is quite small and set on wooden table. Ornate metal sides and treadle feet. One drawer. Brass name medallion on back.Willcox & Gibb Sewing Machine co, New York.|Other inscriptions are :-|London, Paris|Measures|Thread type|Needle 12 stitches to inch|Brevettees G.D.G.|En France|Eten Delgique|Under Royal Letters|Patent|James Willcox|July 4 - 71 [1871]handcrafts, equipment

Green woven knitting bag with red piping around each end panel. Two handles, three press-studs . Lined with yellow taffetta - long shallow design. possibly used for knitting or sewing. stylised leaf design textile. includes one pair of green knitting needles with black knobs. One ball of purple Azalea Crochet Knitting Wool by Patonscostume accessories, female, handcrafts, knitting

The design was offered by 'Better Homes and Gardens' magazine to celebrate the year 2000. The embroidery was done by Valda Arrowsmith and Valerie Birkett.Embroidered sampler in a wooden frame. The design was offered by 'Better Homes and Gardens' magazine to celebrate 2000. The design interprets all the inventions of the 20th century. It was worked in cross stitch by Valerie Birkett and Valda Arrowsmith. Their initials are above the Australian flag. The alphabet in capital and lower case is along the top with numbers 1-10 below them. Underneath are many 20th century inventions including television, sewing machine, radio etc. The Australian flag is at the centre on the lower edge. There is a border of wattle around the four edges.handcrafts, embroidery

Needles are part of a collection of sewing tools donated by Betty McPhee.Six darnng needles, self threading in paper envelope.The Darnet. The Stainless Surgical Needle Co Ltd, Alcesterhandcrafts, equipment

Needle case is part of a collection of sewing tools donated by Betty McPhee.Novelty card opening to pop up school room, needles and threader. Front cover has a picture of four children, a doll and a dog.Wittekind - Trademarkhandcrafts, equipment

Needles are part of a collection of sewing tools donated by Betty McPhee.Packet of crewel sewing needles - size 5/9The Flora Macdonald Needle Packet Crewel.handcrafts, equipment