Mrs Martha Closter ( Kloster), of Oakleigh purchased the Melber Sewing Machine in 1909 and gave it to her daughter Mary when she and Alonzo Box married in 1918 and settled in Moorabbin Shire. This document was donated by a descendant of the Box family in 1985.William and Elizabeth Box purchased 'Box Cottage' in 1865 from a pioneer settler who had bought part of the land noted in Dendy's Special Survey 1841 Brighton. They raised their family there and established a market garden to supply produce to the population of Melbourne. Their nephew Alonzo married Mary Kloster/ Closter in 1918 and she brought with her the 'Melber' sewing machine that she used to provide clothing for the familyThe original paper Receipt of the Melber Company Sewing Machine, 154 Chapel Street Prahran on July 15th 1909. Mrs Closter purchased a ‘Melber Rotary Hook Sewing Machine , 4 drawers and attachment. No. 17469 costing 9 pounds, less due 7 shillings and 6 pence leaving the sum of 8 pounds 12 shillings and 6 pence Paid by Cash to Powell & Candy per ……… on 15/7/09 ( hand written ) MELBER SEWING MACHINES / 154 CHAPEL STREET, / Prahran / Mrs Closter July 15th 1909 ( handwritten) / Dr. to POWELL & CANDY, / IMPORTERS / New and Secondhand Machines for Cash and Easy Terms. / Repairs promptly executed Locks repaired. Keys fitted. Needles and Parts for all Machines. A stamp 25mm x 30mm is on left corner of document ‘ VICTORIA STAMP DUTY ‘ -at top and base - ‘1d ‘ - centrally victoria, melbourne, clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, sewing, box elizabeth, box alonzo, closter mary, kentucky, early settlers, america, craftwork, sewing machines, melber company, u s a, prahran, kloster martha

Mrs Martha Closter ( Kloster), of Oakleigh purchased the Melber Sewing Machine in 1909 and gave it to her daughter Mary when she and Alonzo Box married in 1918 and settled in Moorabbin Shire. This document was donated by a descendant of the Box family in 1985.William and Elizabeth Box purchased 'Box Cottage' in 1865 from a pioneer settler who had bought part of the land noted in Dendy's Special Survey 1841 Brighton. They raised their family there and established a market garden to supply produce to the population of Melbourne. Their nephew Alonzo married Mary Kloster/ Closter in 1918 and she brought with her this 'Melber' sewing machine that she used to provide clothing for the family The original, hand written, Guarantee for the Melber Sewing Machine purchased by Mrs Martha Closter of Oakleigh in July 15th 1909 at Powell & Candy, Importers of Chapel Street, Prahran, Melbourne. MEMORANDUM / From / Powell & Candy/ IMPORTERS / ‘ July 19th 1909 ‘ ( hand written) / To M / The Melbourne Sewing Machine / Exchange, / 154 CHAPEL STREET, PRAHRAN / Guarantee ( hand written) / “ We hereby guarantee the Melber Rotary Hook / Drop Head Sewing Machine Sold by us to / Mrs Closter of Oakleigh, to be free from defects / in regard to material & workmanship & will / make good any defects not caused “be” / accident, rough usage or neglect at any time / within Five (5) years of date of purchase . viz. / July 15th 1909. / All parts to be submitted to us at our place / of business for inspection before any claim / is allowed. / Powell & Candy / per ……..” ( all hand written ) victoria, melbourne, clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, sewing, box elizabeth, box alonzo, closter mary, oakleigh, kentucky, early settlers, america, craftwork, sewing machines, melber company, u s a, prahran, kloster martha

Hugo Wertheim (1854–1919) arrived in Melbourne in 1875. He became a successful agent for sewing machines manufactured by his father’s cousin Joseph Wertheim in Frankfurt, Germany. Hugo married Joseph’s daughter Sophie Emilie and they settled in Melbourne. Hugo made many trips back to the main factory in Germany and, with extensive advertising, established a thriving business for sewing machines, bicycles, pianos under various ‘brand names’ - Wertheim, Electra, Planet, Griffin, Hapsburg. It has been said that Dame Nellie Melba preferred a Wertheim piano for her performances. In 1908 Hugo opened a large piano factory in Bendigo St Richmond, Victoria. His son Herbert maintained the business until the factory closed in 1935.The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This sewing machine was one of many items they used to exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families. A sewing machine was a necessary part of each home.A Wertheim hand–crank sewing machine c1880. The hand machine was operated by turning the handle. The hand machine could also be fitted to a stand with table and draws, the machine could then be used by hand or foot. This type of sewing machine was widely used in many homes, in an era when hand-made clothes were the “norm”, and clothes were mended, or ‘re-made’ into another garment 'WERTHEIM' across body of machinemelbourne, clothing, brighton, moorabbin, germany, piano, pioneers, richmond, bentleigh, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, sewing machines, wertheim hugo, wertheim joseph

The donor of the petticoat is Ms Nancy Maggs. Nancy's grand-mother, Sarah Flagg, was the owner of the petticoat. Sarah Flagg and her family arrived in Melbourne in the 1840s.Sarah Flagg was the original owner of the petticoat. Sarah was the grand-mother of Nancy Maggs. Nancy Maggs had the petticoat in her possession before she donated it to the City of Moorabbin Historical Society.White half, floor-length petticoat with 3 tiers. A light blue ribbon woven around at knee length of the petticoat. Broderie anglais trimming round the first two tiers and through sections of the bottom half of the petticoat. There are 6 panels of the same embroided floral design which runs around the outside of the petticoat, between the Broderie anglais sections. There is a small side slit on the top right-hand side of the petticoat. Two small buttons are located down the side of the slit, but the third button is missing. The garment is in good condition, with mild discolouration in certain areas.petticoat, underwear, undergarment, waist slip, white, 1900s, sarah flagg, nancy maggs, broderie anglais, embroidery, blue ribbon, needle lace, lace, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, dressmaking, sewing, craftwork, brighton, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers

c1900 This large wooden double wash trough with 'Acme' clothes wringer came from the old 'Exchange Hotel' now known as The Tudor Inn, Nepean Highway, Cheltenham.The Exchange Hotel, Point Nepean Road, Cheltenham, (now The Tudor Inn Hotel Nepean Highway,) was built in the late 1800s. By 1915 it was a prominent meeting place for early settler families of Moorabbin Shire. The trough is typical of those used in large laundries c1900 The ACME wringers were used in most households until c1960 Wooden, double washing trough, on a wooden stand c1900moorabbin, cheltenham, brighton, nepean highway, exchange hotel, the tudor inn hotel, clothing, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, acme manufacturing company, glasgow.

c1880 This tiny tape measure, in Imperial measurements, was part of a Victorian era lady's sewing basket. The case is of polished timber, and the little winder, to retract the tape, is made of brass with a small ivory handleEarly settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant producing their own food and making their farm equipment and clothing. The women of these families were skilful in all craftwork.c1880 this tiny, retractable, tape measure, in Imperial measure, is made of polished timber with a brass winder and ivory handle. Imperial ‘inch’ measurements on tape dressmaking, tape measure, sewing, craftwork, pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh cheltenham

Hat-pins were worn to anchor hats to the head and could be considered a functional piece of jewellery. Traditionally inserted into the crown of the hat and through the hair piled atop the head.Hat-pins were needed to secure the large, lady’s hats fashionable at the time. The Maggs family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shirec1910, 2 lady's silver hat-pins, with hollow circular silver surround, around a thistle flowerHallmark Birmingham Assay Office Englandjewellery, clothing, dressmaking, craftwork, silversmiths, maggs geoff, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, brighton

Sad-irons or "solid" irons were made by blacksmiths and used to smooth out material by pressing the hot iron over it. A piece of sheet -iron was placed over the kitchen fire and the irons placed on it could be heated whilst remaining clean of ash.. The women used 2 irons - one heating while the other was used. Thick cloth or gloves protected their hands from the hot irons. The handle was removed from the cool iron and using the lifter the cool iron was replaced on the fire or stove to heat again. These irons were cleaned with steel wool to prevent them marking the material. If the iron was too hot the material would scorch. Most homes set aside one day for ironing and some large households had an ironing room with a special stove designed to heat irons. However, most women had to work with a heavy, hot iron close to the fireplace even in summer.These sad irons remind us of the difficult circumstances experienced in their daily routines by the pioneers and early settlers of Moorabbin Shire. The Curtis family were early settlers in Moorabbin ShireA) This heavy sad iron, made from cast iron, was heated over a fire or on a stove and used for pressing clothing and haberdashery. B) The separate tapered handle was used to lift the hot iron from the fire and when a "Potts" Handle was attached the ironing commenced. sad iron, kitchen equipment, fireplaces, stoves, pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, sewing, craftwork, clothing, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh

The sections of this wardrobe can be lifted apart so that it can be transported easily and when assembled provides suitable hanging and storage space for the clothes and bed covers of an early settler family This wardrobe is of a type commonly used by early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900Wooden Wardrobe with 3 sections- top, hanging space with a central oval glass window, a shallow central drawer and 2 doors with key locks, and drawer section with 2 deep drawers early settlers, market gardeners, poultry farmers, mechanics institutes, furniture, kitchen equipment, clothing, drapery, haberdashery, green pederson carol, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis,

Baby Layette consisting of hand knitted woolen dress, coat, hat and bootees with satin ribbons that was worn in City of Moorabbin c1960. Women were accomplished knitters, craft workers and dressmakers as they cared for their families. Typical hand knitted woollen clothes for a baby c1960 in City of Moorabbin Baby Layette consisting of hand knitted cream woollen dress, coat, hat and bootees for baby 1956clothing, baby layette, knitting,craftwork, wool, early settlers, city of moorabbin, bentleigh, ormond, moorabbin, post war settlers, world war 11 1939-40 sharp valma,

Women in the City of Moorabbin knitted, sewed and crocheted clothes for their babies as they established their families in the new settlements in Ormond, Bentleigh and Moorabbin that followed World War 11. Typical of a Baby Layette of hand knitted woollen dress, coat , hat, and bootees with satin ribbon worn in City of Moorabbin c 1960 Women were accomplished knitters, craft workers and dressmakers as they cared for their families Baby Layette consisting of cream woollen hand knitted dress, coat, hat and bootees with ribbon knitting, craftwork, baby clothes, baby layette, sharp valma, wool, city of moorabbin, ormond, bentleigh, moorabbin, post war settlers, world war 11 1939-40, baby boomers,

Typical Baby clothes consisting of hand knitted wool coat, hat, singlet and 2 dresses worn in the City of Moorabbin c 1960 Women in City of Moorabbin were accomplished knitters, dressmakers and craft workers as they cared for their families while settling in to the new housing estates in post World War11 Ormond , Bentleigh and Moorabbin Baby Clothes consisting of cream woollen hand knitted, coat, hat, singlet and 2 dresses clothing, manufactured lace, dressmaking, blousknitting, craftwork, early settlers, moorabbin shire, mechanics institute cheltenham, postworld war 11 settlers, housing estates moorabbin 1950, bentleigh, ormond, moorabbin, cheltenham, sharp valma,

This pretty yellow, Nylon dress with jap silk petticoat was made by Mrs Sharp c1962 for her daughter. Machine embossed white flowers decorate the dress that has long waist ties, a boat collar and puff short sleeves. A metal zipper is inserted. Nylon became a very popular easy care material c 1960 so that women in City of Moorabbin, who were accomplished dressmakers, made very pretty clothes for their families. Child's yellow nylon dress with jap silk petticoat Machine embossed white flowers decorate the dress that has long waist ties, a boat collar and puff short sleeves. A metal zipper is inserted. clothing, baby, nylon, machine pressed designs, layette, knitting,craftwork, wool, early settlers, city of moorabbin, bentleigh, ormond, moorabbin, post war settlers, world war 11 1939-40 sharp valma,

Nylon was a new synthetic material that became very popular c 1960 because it was easy care, had machine embossed decoration and required no ironing. Women in City of Moorabbin made clothes for their families while settling in the new estates opened in Ormond, Bentleigh and Moorabbin post World War 11.Nylon was a new synthetic material that became very popular c 1960 because it was easy care, had machine embossed decoration and required no ironing. A Baby's white nylon dress size 1 with machine embossed flowers, short sleeves, lace trim, plastic buttons and appliqued nylon flowers. Size 1clothing, baby clothes, nylon, dressmaking, layette, knitting,craftwork, wool, early settlers, city of moorabbin, bentleigh, ormond, moorabbin, post war settlers, world war 11 1939-40 sharp valma,

Nylon became a very popular dressmaking material in City of Moorabbin c1960 as the new settlers established their families in the new estates post World War 11 in Ormond, Bentleigh, Moorabbin These Baby feeding Bibs x 2 with ribbon ties were made by a local resident of City of Moorabbin for her child c 1960 Women in City of Moorabbin were accomplished knitters, dressmakers and craft workers who made the clothes for their families while settling in to the new estates that opened up in Ormond, Bentleigh,and Moorabbin after World War 11 Baby Bibs, x 2 made by a local resident for her children. a) towel, nylon, lace trim, with an appliqued flower and ribbon ties b) flannel, nylon, lace trim and ribbon ties clothing, baby, nylon, machine pressed designs, layette, knitting,craftwork, wool, early settlers, city of moorabbin, bentleigh, ormond, moorabbin, post war settlers, world war 11 1939-40 sharp valma,

Child's cream silk dress with lace inserts and hand sewn flowers and press stud fasteners made from 'bits and pieces' in 1937 by the family of Mrs Valma Sharp . This child's cream silk dress was made in the austere time after the Depression 1930 - 34 and shows the practical ingenuity of a mother to make a pretty dress for her child from 'bits and pieces' of material c1937 a child's cream silk dress made from ' bits and pieces' ,hand sewn flowers, with lace, press studs clothing, baby, nylon, machine pressed designs, layette, knitting,craftwork, wool, early settlers, city of moorabbin, bentleigh, ormond, moorabbin, post war settlers, world war 11 1939-40 sharp valma,

This girl's white long sleeved blouse made from lace,voile and net and was probably made for a special occasion c1900. The delicate needlework flowers on the net insert on front of blouse and the over sleeves exhibit a high standard of skill. The fine pintucks on the front, collar and cuffs are finished by small white beads sewn around the edges. The eyes for the hooks on back opening seam are hand-sewn The women of the early settler families were skilled dressmakers and made the clothes for their families as they established market gardens and farms in Moorabbin Shire This girl's blouse made from lace,voile and net is an example of the high needle work skill of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 A girl's white,long sleeved, tulle blouse,with a high collar stiffened by 4 metal wires. The tulle has pintucks front and back with inserted decorated net panels and sleeves . The long lace outer sleeves have lace edging at the cuffs. The whole blouse is lined with tulle. .The high collar has horizontal pintucks and has small white beading along top and base. The lining tulle has horizontal pintucks and beading and lace edging on the cuffs of the inner sleeves. Hooks and eyes fasten the back of the blouse and ribbon is inserted at waist to produce a flared effect over hips clothing, brighton, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, pioneers, dressmaking,lacework, craftwork, tulle, net, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, moorabbin shire , dairy farms, fruit orchards

This Baby's long white Christening gown is made from fine muslin, with short sleeves and cut-work and pin tucked front panels The women of the early settler families were very skilled dressmakers and made the clothes for their families. The early settler families followed the religious rites of their Christian Church and this Baby's Christening gown shows the dressmaking skills of the pioneer women of Moorabbin Shire c1900 , A Baby's Christening gown of fine white muslin with cut-work and needlework on yoke, gathered skirt and short sleeves with a draw string waist and neck . The front panel has 5 sections of pin tucks and cut work . clothing, christening gown, methodist church, church of england, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, lacework, cutwork, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, , moorabbin shire blackburn nance, dairy farms, fruit orchards

These Lady's white voile shirt fronts were made for a small woman or child to wear under a suit jacket . The front has fine vertical pintucks and ribbon waist ties The back seam is fastened with press studs. The high collar has horizontal pintucks and 4 metal wire stays. The early settler women were skilled dressmakers and craft workers. These Lady's voile shirt fronts are examples of the high dressmaking skill of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 2 identical small lady's white voile shirt fronts, with high collar and ribbon waist ties. The front has fine vertical pintucks and the high collar has horizontal pintucks with 4 metal wire stays. Press studs fasten the back seam . clothing, dressmaking, haberdashery, crochet, brighton, moorabbin, mckinnon, ormond, pioneers, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

These 2 pillow shams in white voile,lace and with needlework were made by a woman of an early settler family in Moorabbin Shire c1900. Women made and mended clothes, haberdashery and drapery for their families as the market gardens and farms were established in Moorabbin, East Brighton, Cheltenham.These 2 pillow shams in white voile, lace and with needlework are examples of the dressmaking and needlework skills of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 2 Haberdashery, pillow shams in white voile,with lace edging , a) Is an envelope type with bone buttons and has a central needlework floral and butterfly design . b) is single layer with a central needlework ribbon design c1900clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, dairy farms, fruit orchards

This white cotton Antimacassar has a hand crocheted lace pattern of flowers and a fringe of cotton strands tied to form tassels and was made by a woman from an early settler family in Moorabbin Shire c1900 The women of the early settler families made the clothing, haberdashery and napery for their families as the market gardens and farms were established in Moorabbin Shire c1900 A hand crocheted white cotton antimacassar with tassel fringe clothing, haberdashery, crochet brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire , dairy farms, fruit orchards

The women of the early settler families made the clothes, haberdashery and napery as the market gardens and dairy farms were established c1900. The square of linen is edged with hand crochet and a flower in one corner is sewn with coloured silk The women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1910 were skilled dressmakers and craft workers. 2 cream linen serviettes with crocheted edge and a coloured needlework flower clothing,haberdashery, napery, serviettes, linen, crochet, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, dairy farms, fruit orchards

The women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 were skilled dressmakers, craft workers and decorated their haberdashery with fine needlework . While the market gardens and farms were established the women made the clothes, haberdashery and napery for their families. The women of the early settler families were skilled dressmakers and craft workers c1900One long and one short white Linen table runners with central hand needlework floral design clothing, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

These Tray Covers were made by women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and show their needlework skills . Although living conditions were basic families still held onto their traditional English and European customs and took pride in presenting elements of refined society. These tray covers are examples of the dressmaking, crochet and needlework skills of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 5 x Linen Tray Covers with coloured silk needle work and crochet edging a) oval with flowers, b) oval with 2 small baskets of flowers, c) oval with large flowers, d) rectangle with flowers, cup ,saucer , writing, e) oval with 2 large baskets of flowers clothing, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

These Tray Covers were made by women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and show their needlework skills . Although living conditions were basic families still held onto their traditional English and European customs and took pride in presenting elements of refined society These tray covers are examples of the dressmaking, crochet and needlework skills of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 4 oval and 1 rectangular small white linen Doilies with crochet and coloured and white needlework a) oval white with white needlework patterns and crochet edge; b) oval white with coloured flowers and crochet edge; c) oval white with coloured flowers and over-sewn edge; d) oval white with 2 coloured flowers crochet edge; d) rectangular, with coloured flowers and hemmed edgeclothing, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

These dressing table doilies were made by women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and show their crochet skills . Although living conditions were basic families still held onto their traditional English and European customs and took pride in presenting elements of refined society. These tray covers are examples of the crochet skills of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 2 x small ecru crocheted dressing table doilies a) oval with flowers and shapes, b) star shaped lacyclothing, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

These cruciform candle holder doilies were made by women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and show their needlework , and crochet skills . Although living conditions were basic, families still held onto their traditional English and European customs and took pride in presenting elements of refined society. The cruciform shape suggests they may have been used at Church Services These linen doilies are examples of the dressmaking, crochet and needlework skills of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 4 x white Linen cruciform candle holder doilies with coloured silk needle work and crochet edging a) crochet, b) central linen with crochet edge c) central linen with crochet edge d) linen with green and white coloured needlework flowers and crochet edge clothing, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

These white linen circular doilies were made by women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and show their needlework skills . Although living conditions were basic families still held onto their traditional English and European customs and took pride in presenting elements of refined society. These linen doilies are examples of the dressmaking, crochet and needlework skills of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 5 x Linen doilies with coloured silk needle work and crochet edging a) square with coloured flowers and crochet edge , b) round with blue flowers and crochet edge , c) round with coloured flowers and crochet edge, d) round with coloured vase of flowers and crochet edge , e) round with blue flowers and crochet edge clothing, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, dairy farms, fruit orchards

This pair of white cotton pillow shams were made by women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and show their needlework skills . Although living conditions were basic families still held onto their traditional English and European customs and took pride in presenting elements of refined society. These pillow shams are examples of the dressmaking, crochet and needlework skills of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 1 pair of white cotton pillow shams with crochet lace inserts clothing, haberdashery, crochet, bed linen, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards