This bed jacket was crocheted for Carmela Materia (1931-2018) by her mother, Giuseppa Auditore, around the time they emigrated from Italy to Melbourne. Both women were longtime Brighton locals, residing in the area from the 1950s until their deaths. Carmela Auditore was the first woman from her home village of Scaletta, Italy to emigrate to Australia. Setting sail alone in 1950 at the age of 19, she joined her brother John and uncle Frank in McCallum St, Brighton. Frank had arrived some years earlier and had spent the duration of the First World War in an internment camp. John worked at the Brighton Case Company, a box manufacturer on Nepean Highway, and paid for her passage. Carmela found a job sewing children's clothing at Drummonds, a small factory in Church St. Working eight hours a day, five days per week, netted her a weekly wage of three pounds. To earn a little extra, she washed dishes at a St Kilda Road restaurant for ten shillings a shift. Her parents, Salvatore and Giuseppa Auditore, joined her in Brighton in 1952. They rented a house behind an antique shop in Bay Street. Salvatore had been a fisherman in Scaletta, but quickly adapted to the job he found helping around the Garage at Brighton Motors in Male Street. On 14 February 1953, Carmela married her sweetheart, Salvatore Materia, at St James Catholic Church in Gardenvale. Salvatore had been living with his aunt in Well Street and worked on the wharves. Both Carmela and Salvatore were hard workers. They owned a fruit shop in Church Street where Woolworths now stands, and years later Carmela recalled the familiar 6am tap on her window each morning when her husband returned from the market. On dark winter mornings, she felt as if her hands would freeze as she helped Salvatore unload cold cabbages and cauliflowers from his truck. They later owned a shop in Ludstone Street in Hampton. After Salvatore died suddenly at the age of 48, Carmela returned to sewing, working at the Willow Fashions knitting mill in Gardenvale. She later went into partnership with her sister and brother-in-law, this time in the delicatessen business. Her parents, Giuseppa and Salvatore, spent the rest of their days with Brighton. Carmela recalled her father cheerfully walking the streets, greeting people by name. He knew everybody. He loved being in Australia and enjoyed life to the last, insisting on having bread and wine on the table at every meal.Cream crocheted wool bed jacket. Loose around bust with wide sleeves and open sides. Fastens at collar with thin braided ties, and at waist with two pearlescent plastic buttons.bed jacket, migration, 1950s, carmela auditore, carmela materia, giuseppa auditore

Cream crocheted pantaloons made for a doll. Cream satin ribbon threaded through waist and ankles.dolls clothes, doll, toy, children, clothing, pantaloon

Donor was daughter of Alan Richardson who helped build and held ticket for paddle-steamer Curlip.Hand crocheted runner of white thread with picture of a lion on front. Runner has a long fringe.cloth handcraft crochet richardson-alan

This item is an example of a hand crafted item showing the needlework skills of women in the early 20th century.Two small square handmade doilies. Tattered centres and crochet edging of bells. On white linen.doily handcrafts needlework linen embroidery

Manchester used at the timeDouble bed bedspread, ecru coloured crocheted, scalloped edges, small medallions. Made of cottoncotton, bedspread, crotcheted, manchester

Fine cotton plate cloth for a cake tray. Has blue fine treble crocheted edging. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, treble crochet, cake tray, manchester, haberdashery

Mackay collection - White collar embroidered with flowers and trimmed with lace and a white crocheted sleeve cuff.costume accessories, clothing accessories, collar/cuff

Purchased by Valda Arrowsmith for collectionOval shape embroidered flowers in centre, crochet edge all around tea cosy covernonemanchester, table linen

Used by Mrs Jean Ashcroft (nee Beard) Probably worked by her in scotlandLinen centre with drawn thread worked in shape of squares with hand crochet border and scalloped edgingmanchester, table linen

From the collection of Bette JonesCream filet crochet blousette/blouse front, worn under low cut front of dresscostume, female underwear

White nightdress - Two panels pin tucking fine crochet on square neck. Long sleevescostume, female nightwear

Round cream crocheted milk jug cover heavily encrusted with green beads in a triangle pattern.handcrafts, crocheting or crochet work, domestic items, food storage & preservation

White cotton crocheted milk jug cover with blue trimming and blue beads used as weightshandcrafts, needlework

Large white cotton centrepiece with deep white cotton lace edging. Inset with crochet lace.manchester, table linen, handcrafts, needlework

Cream silk sleeveless matinee jacket with ribbon ties at neck. Crochet edging at embroidery on front.costume, infants'

White pillow sham with wide crochet border. Centre piece of Mount Mellick embroidery in white.handcrafts, crocheting or crochet work, manchester, bedding

Four white rectangular crocheted table runners. Small circular pattern throughout with scalloped edge.table runners

Circular jug net with yellow cotton, crocheted border with brown, orange and yellow beads attached.food covers, vessel covers, milk jugs

Worn from late 1800's to early 1920's.White ankle length petticoat, with beautiful lace skirt. Hand crocheted around the neck and arms.petticoats, underwear