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. Characteristics of Maltese 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. Camisole, made of silk thread Maltese bobbin lace that is constructed of lengths of lace forming two rectangles with a hole for the neck. Shows the characteristic Maltese cross and wheat ears. Fabric is made of tape lace joined togethercamisoles, maltese lace, bodices

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Sleeveless three quarter length, short-sleeved turquoise coloured lace evening dress. Above the high waistline a fold crosses the bodice and is held by three crystal buttonswomen's clothing, cocktail dresses, fashion and textiles collection - kew historical society, australian fashion -1950s, evening dresses

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Pale pink lace ballerina length dress gathered at the waist to form a full skirt. The dress includes a belt of the same colour and fabricwomen's clothing, cocktail dresses, fashion and textiles collection, australian fashion - 1950s

This dress was worn by Julia Benjamin (1850-1927) for her marriage to Abraham Smith (of Polish descent) at the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation in Bourke Street, Melbourne on 5 September 1868. Julia was the daughter of Joseph Benjamin and Hannah Soloman. Records suggest it may have been converted into her 'calling' gown for the three month 'bridal' period following her marriage. The gown would have been worn with accompanying accessories of a cape and gloves.An early example of a wedding dress of the Melbourne Jewish community.One piece floor length dress of (originally) lavender, watered (moiré) silk taffeta with short sleeves and train that is controlled by interior tapes to create bustle effect. The bodice fastens down the centre front to the waist where the opening below the waist is concealed by side pleats. The bodice appears to have originally featured a piece of lace at the neckline and a textile ruched belt. The dress is backed with a cream cotton.julia benjamin, abraham smith, joseph benjamin, hannah soloman, melbourne hebrew congregation, wedding dress

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 and green plaid children's pinafore with green hem binding and in-built petticoat with lace edging.knitwear, clothing, italy, migrants, brighton, knitting machine, linking machine, garments, business, family, community

White rectangular lace tablecloth, with floral and rectangular pattern.tablecloths

White rectangular lace tablecloth, with floral pattern, rectangle in centre with oval floral design.tablecloths

White lace rectangular tablecloth with floral pattern and wide scalloped edge.tablecloths

White cotton broderie anglaise curtain with feature embroidery, cutwork and needle lace. Has one small strip of small four dot pattern above wide pattern. Finished with a scalloped edge. Has 5cm casing at top for a curtain rod.curtains

Donated by Mrs. Adamson in early 1900.White linen rectangular tablecloth, heavily embroidered in white. Edge has open weave with machine crocheted lace. Has floral round embroidered centre piece. tablecloth

Calico embroidery pattern for table runner, intended for Renaissance work, or Point Lace. The blue printed pattern depicts leaves and flowers the whole length of the runner." L.B. Lacet Runner. J.W. with a crown in between the two letters, No. 4322" in top left hand corner of the runner and "Worked with Point Braid No. 261" in the top right hande corner. The same inscriptions are found repeated at the other end of the runner.household textiles., tableware, textileworking patterns

Hand embroidered.Butterfly pattern on calico, partially completed in Renaissance Work or Point Lace, with pulled thread, lace braid and cotton embroidery thread stitching.textileworking patterns, household textiles, tableware

Cream-coloured, circular doily with machine lace and a floral pattern throughout. There is a single flower in the centre with a square border around it.household textiles., doilies, table linen.

Used for placing food on or ornaments on furniture.A rectangular ornamental machine made doiley made of white cotton with a cut out pattern for use under cakes or ornaments placed on furniture.table linen, lace, cotton, cotton thread, table accessories, soft furnishings

A long white lace embroidered patterned cotton table runner for use on a table or sideboard. It has scalloped edging.table runners, table linen, table accessories, tableware, household textiles

Used for placing food on or ornaments on furniture.A small square ornamental handmade doiley made of white cotton with a large lace patterned border and scalloped edging for use under cakes or ornaments placed on furniture.table linen, lace, cotton, cotton thread, table accessories, soft furnishings

Seven white cotton Richelieu cutwork serviettes with the embroidery worked on the bottom left hand corner. They have a filet lace border.tableware, serviettes, table napkins, table linen

White, nylon tablecloth with lace star in the centre, surrounded by lace lines, with embroidered crystal shapes within lace in each corner. White, linen pillow slip with an embroidered flower and leaves in each corner. It has a pulled thread and embroidered, scalloped border, (Torn)table ware., bed linen., household textiles.

The Wodonga Historical Society Haeusler Collection provides invaluable insight into life in late nineteenth and early twentieth century north east Victoria. The collection comprises manuscripts, personal artefacts used by the Haeusler family on their farm in Wodonga, and a set of glass negatives which offer a unique visual snapshot of the domestic and social lives of the Haeusler family and local Wodonga community. The Haeusler family migrated from Prussia (Germany) to South Australia in the 1840s and 1850s, before purchasing 100 acres of Crown Land made available under the Victorian Lands Act 1862 (also known as ‘Duffy’s Land Act’) in 1866 in what is now Wodonga West. The Haeusler family were one of several German families to migrate from South Australia to Wodonga in the 1860s. The textiles in the Haeusler collection belonged to Ilma Margaret Ernestine Haeusler (née Tasker), born in 1900 in Tallangatta. These textiles were handmade by Ilma between 1919 and 1928 for use in the family home during her marriage to Louis Alfred Haeusler (b.1878). Ilma died in childbirth in 1928, leaving one surviving son, John Alfred Lyell (b.1922). In the nineteenth and early twentieth century prior to the mass production of clothing and textiles, needlework, alongside motherhood, was the defining work of women. Hand sewing and embroidery was central in the everyday lives and domestic roles of women. The item is handmade and unique, with well documented provenance. 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.White hand stitched lace doily c.1920stextiles, sewing, handiwork, women's history, domestic, craft, family

The Wodonga Historical Society collection comprises manuscripts, personal artefacts used by the Haeusler family on their farm in Wodonga, and a set of glass negatives which offer a unique visual snapshot of the domestic and social lives of the Haeusler family and local Wodonga community. The Haeusler family migrated from Prussia (Germany) to South Australia in the 1840s and 1850s, before purchasing 100 acres of Crown Land made available under the Victorian Lands Act 1862 (also known as ‘Duffy’s Land Act’) in 1866 in what is now Wodonga West. The Haeusler family were one of several German families to migrate from South Australia to Wodonga in the 1860s. The textiles in the Haeusler collection belonged to Ilma Margaret Ernestine Haeusler (née Tasker), born in 1900 in Tallangatta. These textiles were handmade by Ilma between 1919 and 1928 for use in the family home during her marriage to Louis Alfred Haeusler (b.1878). Ilma died in childbirth in 1928, leaving one surviving son, John Alfred Lyell (b.1922). This doily is one of several domestic objects in the Haeusler Collection that represent family and home life in early twentieth century Wodonga. It was made using the broderie anglaise needlework technique that incorporates embroidery, cutwork and needle lace. This technique originated in sixteenth century Europe and became popular in England in the nineteenth century. In the nineteenth and early twentieth century prior to the mass production of clothing and textiles, needlework, alongside motherhood, was the defining work of women. Hand sewing and embroidery was central in the everyday lives and domestic roles of women. The item is handmade and unique, with well documented provenance. 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 handmade white broderie anglaise doily c.1920sneedlework, textiles, sewing, handiwork, women's history, domestic, craft, family

This wedding dress was worn by Grace Hamilton-Smith (née Ellwood) at her marriage ceremony. Grace married John Hamilton-Smith on the 31st May 1941 at the Presbyterian St David's Church in Albury. The wedding breakfast that followed was held at the Albury Hotel in Kiewa Street.This item has well documented provenance and a known owner and represents 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 and social history.A white slipper satin wedding dress with structured shoulders and bodice, embroidered with cornelli lace and studded with diamante. wedding, marriage, dress, wedding dress, satin, 1940s, christianity, wodonga, albury, albury wodonga

This silk dress belonged to Edith Irene Marshall (née Horsefall), who married William George Townsend Marshall at St David's Presbyterian Church, Albury on the 18th September 1937. The dress contributes to our understanding of social and family life in twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history, social history and women's history.A handmade 1930s silk and lace wedding dress with a long, circular train, waist sash and lace collar. 1930s, wodonga, albury wodonga, wedding, wedding dress, christianity, marriage, social history

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 item has well documented provenance and 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 social and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history. A rolled bundle of cream coloured lace with a floral design.lace, needlework, embroidery, hamilton-smith, hamilton-smith collection, ellwood, wodonga

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 item has well documented provenance and 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 social and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history. Cream coloured lace with floral motif. hamilton-smith collection, hamilton-smith, ellwood, wodonga, sewing, domestic, lace, floral, clothing, edwardian

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 collar was made using the broderie anglaise needlework technique that incorporates embroidery, cutwork and needle lace. This technique originated in sixteenth century Europe and became popular in England in the nineteenth century. In the nineteenth and early twentieth century prior to the mass production of clothing and textiles, needlework, alongside motherhood, was the defining work of women. Hand sewing and embroidery was central in the everyday lives and domestic roles of women.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 social 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 white cotton collar from the Edwardian period with broderie anglaise embroidery. hamilton-smith, hamilton-smith collection, needlework, clothing, sewing, embroidery, women, domestic, edwardian

Doilies are small ornamental mats, as of cotton, embroidery, lace, paper or plastic, often placed under cakes, sandwiches etc, on a plate. They were also used as a protection for ornaments placed on furniture to protect it from scratches.Large white cotton oval shaped doiley, with stitched edging. Applique flower cut outs.It has embroidered leaves.doileys, furniture accessories, table linen, soft furnishings

Princess lace flower mat made in Bruges from collection of Nan WarnerCream lace square with ornate lace motifs in each corner and lace edged.lace, handmade, bruges, nan warner

This Venetian lace was collected by Nan Warner from one of her trips to Europe. The lace was later given to Elizabeth Ligeti a fellow member of the local Lace Group.Piece of cream Venetian needle lace with 2 different star motifs made in cotton.venetian lace, star motif

This lace was possibly made in Italy and collected by Nan Warner while on a European trip and later given to Elizabeth Ligeti, a fellow member of a local Lace Group.Cream Venetian needle lace insert made of cotton with a motif of a boy or king in a church window. The lace is inserted cream cotton fabric. venetian needle lace, church window motif