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

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 re- attached to remove the hot iron from the fire. The cool iron was replaced on the fire or stove to heat again. Mrs Florence Potts invented in 1871 a detachable handle made from walnut wood with a metal latch to release the handle. These wooden handles prevented burned hands and were sold to grateful women all over the world. 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.Mrs Florence Potts invented this type of detachable walnut wood handle with a meta release latch for sad irons in 1871 and it sold widely throughout the world to grateful women including those in Moorabbin Shire. The family of Ms May Curtis were early settlers in Moorabbin ShireA) A sad iron, made of cast iron , has a special handle invented in 1871 by Mrs Florence Potts of Iowa, USA. B) The detachable handle made of walnut wood to prevent burned hands, was attached to the iron by a metal latch.A) UNITED/ N0 / 50 / AUSTRALIApotts florence, iowa usa, melbourne, moorabbin, sad irons, kitchen equipmentn fireplaces, walnut wood, sewing, laundry, table ware, linen, pioneers, early settlers, washing days, craftwork

c1881 Henry W Seely, of New Jersey, USA, designed and patented an electric sad iron for pressing and smoothing material. He continued to modify and improve his designs, with his partner Richard Dyer, and other electrical appliance firms, e.g Hotpoint, began producing these flat irons that could provide continuous heat by connecting via an electrical flex to a light socket and hence without the need for hot fires, ash, or burning hot handles. Women with access to an electricity supply were delighted and their ironing chore became much less arduous No heat was felt at all from the iron as it is all concentrated on the bottom surface. By the early 20th century enthusiasm was building for the new electric smoothing irons: clean, powerful, adjustable, and labour-saving. This c1935 Premier System 'Smoothwell' flat iron was used by a resident of City of Moorabbin and is an example of the progress made from the sad irons used by the pioneers that are displayed beside it.A "Premier Smoothwell" electric flat iron with switched control lead and original box, c 1935 On plate of handle attached to Iron ' HARRODS Ltd. / LONDON On attached plate at rear of iron ' The "SMOOTHWELL" / "Premier System" /......... Plate on cord Plug " PREMIER/ FLAT IRON CONNECTOR/ THIS SIDE OUTWARDS/ (2 columns) 1) FOR 100-125 VOLTS/ USE THREE TERMINALS/ THUS ..... 2) FOR 200 - 240 VOLTS/ USE TWO RIGHT/ HAND TERMINALS/ ONLY/ THUS......seely henry w., sad irons, electric flat irons, dyer richard, edison thomas, hotpoint pty ltd., premier electric company birmingham england, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, laundry, sewing, craftwork, table ware, irons

Common soap was made from mixing animal fat with potash a form of the potassium based alkali present in plant and wood material. Early settlers, made their own soap from the waste fats and ashes they saved from their daily work. They did not then have to rely on waiting for soap to be shipped from England and waste their goods or money in trade for soap. In making soap the first ingredient required was a liquid solution of potash commonly called lye. Animal fat, when removed from the animals during butchering, must be rendered to remove all meat tissues and cooking residue before soap of any satisfactory quality can be made from it. To render, fats and waste cooking grease were placed in a large kettle with an equal amount of water. Then the kettle was placed over the open fire outdoors, because the smell from rendering the fats was too strong to wish in anyone's house. The mixture of fats and water were boiled until all the fats had melted. After a longer period of boiling to insure completion of melting the fats, the fire was stopped and into the kettle was placed another amount of water about equal to the first amount of water. The solution was allowed to cool down and left over night. By the next day the fats had solidified and floated to the top forming a layer of clean fat. All the impurities being not as light as the fat remained in water underneath the fat. In another large kettle or pot the fat was placed with an amount of lye solution ( known by experience ). This mixture was boiled until the soap was formed - 6-8 hours - a thick frothy mass, and a small amount placed on the tongue caused no noticeable "bite". The next day a brown jelly like slippery substance was in the kettle and this was 'soft soap' . To make hard soap, common salt was thrown in at the end of the boiling and a hard cake of soap formed in a layer at the top of the pot. But as salt was expensive most settlers used 'soft soap',. The soap could be scented with oils such as lavender for personal use. These 3 cakes of home-made soap are examples of the self sufficiency of the early settlers as they had to be self reliant ,growing food and making and mending their own farm equipment, tools and clothes while establishing their market gardens in Moorabbin Shire3 cakes of home-made, white hard household soap. 1 cake of soap eaten by a brush tailed possum when he entered the Cottage via the chimney 27/4/2014soap making, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, brighton, dendy's special survey 1841. kitchen equipment, laundry equipment, bentleigh

Grooved wooden washboards were used from the 18thC in England and Europe. Thick smooth, grooved glass did not rust, stain or wear down as the wooden variety and could be used for finer clothing. The washboard was place in the laundry trough or tub and using a clean brush collars, cuffs and corsets were scrubbed clean.This glass scrubbing board used by a Moorabbin Shire settler c 1900 is an example of the typical laundry equipment used in the area.A timber framed, scrubbing board with ridged clear glass.laundry equipment, washing, scrubbing board, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh, washboards, clothing, craftwork

Gold was discovered in Victoria c1850 and people came from all over the world to seek their fortune at Ballarat and Bendigo and surrounding gold fields. This large wooden rocking- box or cradle was used by gold prospectors. A handle on the rocker is pushed back and forth, as the miner put gravel into the top part and finer and heavier particles dropped through a screen, helped along by buckets of water. The bottom part of the device had slats, that caught the heavier metals. After many shovel loads of gravel were pushed through the rocker, the miner would then use his gold pan to sort out the heavy minerals to find gold. Most of the pioneer settlers in Moorabbin Shire left the area to try their luck at gold mining and there was a desperate shortage of workers to maintain the market gardens and supply food to the ever increasing population of Melbourne.This gold prospector's 'cradle' is hand made and typical of those used by many hopeful Moorabbin Shire pioneers as they abandoned their market gardens to try their luck at finding gold in the Ballarat and Bendigo minefields c1850This gold miner's rocker is very old, and very well-used. It is a large wooden rocking- box or cradle used by gold prospectors. A handle on the rocker is pushed back and forth, as gravel is put in the top part of the box so that finer and heavier particles drop through a screen.. The bottom part of the device had slats, that caught the heavier metals. i.e gold particles. The water passed through the shute at the base back into the creek or river.moorabbin, brighton, market gardens, pioneers, early settlers, fruit, vegetable, ballarat, bendigo, gold mining, gold prospedtors, gold rush, were j. b., irish immigrants, chinese immigrants, gold panning, gold digger

Dr Polk was one of the first Doctors to set up a medical practice in Melbourne and attended patients in the Brighton and Moorabbin area c1850. His Grandson Mr C. Bland donated the cabinet to CMHS.This portable cabinet with writing board was used by Dr Polk , one of the first Doctors to practice medicine in Melbourne c1850 .A small, wooden portable cabinet with 3 sections that belonged to Dr Polk GP c1850. Two side cabinets that lock together by grooves on inner sides, and a flat writing board that sits on a shelf at the top of the inner sides. One of the cabinets has 4 drawers, one of which has a lock. The other cabinet has 1 drawer and a cupboard with a door lock No Keys are available, The cabinet is decorated on the outer surfaces by inlaid bamboo squares with metal decorative hinges and handles and at the corners on the door. polk dr, bland c. melbourne, medical practitioners, moorabbin, brighton, pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, dairymen, farmers,

JAMES JOSEPH HIGGINS, was born in Dublin in 1821 and, at age twenty, emigrated via Liverpool in 1841 with his wife Ellen and baby daughter Margarete, on board the 'Intrinsic'. They lived in Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, for some years, where their son James John Clarke Higgins was born in 1850. JAMES JOHN CLARKE HIGGINS moved to Brighton East when he married Ruth Simmonds in 1873. The couple lived on Jasper Rd near the corner of Centre Rd for the rest of their lives, and produced eight children HERBERT JOHN HIGGINS was the sixth child born in 1886, to James John Clarke Higgins and Ruth Simmonds, and grew up in Centre Rd, Brighton East, now Bentleigh. He was renting and working a property on Jasper Rd from the time he was married in 1913 to Victoria Matilda Long, daughter of Charles John Long and Annie Matilda Allnutt. Herbert John bought his property on Jasper Rd in 1921. [Metropolitan Board of works plan 3220, Municipality of Moorabbin, shows that in 1928, Higgins Rd was planned (and probably built soon after). Herbert was a dairyman and market gardener. He bred and milked cows and sold milk, cream, butter and eggs to the locals. He supplied hay/corn to be made into chaff to J L Smith’s produce store. He also leased land from other farmers in the area and helped work their land. c1950 he sold the property in lots, some privately, others to the Municipality. Some lots became part of Hodgson Reserve, Higgins Road, Bentleigh, and another lot, the Bentleigh Bowling Club. Herbert and Victoria, known as Queenie, had five children between 1914 and 1928. The youngest Dorothy, who remembered sitting in this pram and later using it to carry papers, wood, vegetable etc., lived on the property in Jasper Road until her passing in 2016. ( Ronald Alexander Higgins, descendant , Helen Stanley CMHS 2017) The family of Dorothy Higgins 1928-2016, were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire establishing a dairy farm c 1873 in East Brighton ( now Bentleigh)Wicker Perambulator, baby carriage, c. 1914, with a lined, painted wicker body, iron spring scrolled frame with leather straps and 4 steel wheels with rubber tyres. The push handle is broken and hood is missing. dairy farms, higgins james joseph, simmonds ruth, higgins dorothy, poultry farms, jasper road bentleigh, city of moorabbin historical society 1961, sheehy t.a., newsletters, ashley r, neville f, blackman n, moorabbin city council, moorabbin roads board toll gates, pioneers moorabin cheltenham, bentleigh, highett

This dressing table with swing mirror was used by the early settler families of Moorabbin Shire c1900. Accompanied by a wash stand , basin and water jug people cleansed, shaved and tidied their hair and themselves between their weekly bath. This Dressing table mirror was owned by a pioneer family of Moorabbin Shire c1900 c1900 Mahogany Toilet / Swing Dressing table mirror A shaped mirror, domed top with thick frame, turned side supports finished with small finials and a solid base on 4 round supportseraly settlers, pioneers, furniture , mirrors, dressing tables, mahogany wood, carpenters, cabinet makers, market gardeners, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, cheltenham

Ansonia Clocks were made by a clock manufacturing business which started in Ansonia, Connecticut, in 1851 and which moved to Brooklyn, New York, in 1878. An enormously successful business, it turned out thousands of clocks in a large number of styles.This Ansonia clock was owned by the pioneer family in Moorabbin Shire c1900This Ansonia clock was owned by the pioneer family in Moorabbin Shire c1900A large ANSONIA clock. c1900 with a winding key and pendulum and a hinged front glass door with clip lock ANSONIAansonia clock company, connecticut, america, phelps anson, terry theodore, andrews franklin, brighton, moorabbin, furniture, pioneers, clocks, market gardeners, early settlers

The women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire were accomplished dressmakers, craftworkers and made the clothing for their familiesA typical evening shoulder cape worn by early settler women in Moorabbin Shire c1910 The family of Nance Blackburn were pioneer market gardeners.A lady's evening shoulder cape made of black Guipure lace,satin and voile blackburn nance, pioneers, market gardeners, early settlers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, cheltenham, moorabbin, dressmaking, clothing,

This Man's White 'Silk' Dress Scarf, with a black and white silk fringe, was worn with a dress suit as part of the formal wear for men in City of Moorabbin c 1960 for special occasions, events and ceremonies This Man's White 'Silk' Dress Scarf was worn with a dress suit as part of the formal wear for men in City of Moorabbin c 1960 for special occasions, events and ceremonies Man's White 'Silk' Dress Scarf with a black and white silk fringe . Tootal Scarf / Wash as Silk / Men's Wear Centre / Smythes / 115 Glenhuntly Rd E'wick clothing, evening wear, dinner suits, formal wear, scarves, collars winged, tailcoats, bow ties, cheltenham, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, maynard dennis, post world war 2 estates ,

3 pair of lady's black nylon gloves of varying length worn c1960 for outdoor and evening occasions. c1960 Gloves were still worn by women for shopping visiting, and evening functions and the length of the glove indicated its time of use. Gloves were colour matched to shoes and handbags and certain occasions required specific colours eg black for funeral, evening wear or business appointment. Gloves were an essential part of a woman's outfit until c1970 when fashion dispensed with this accessory . Gloves are now worn for warmth of to prevent cross infection of disease. Lady's black nylon gloves a) short length with frill on the cuff; b) medium length with diamante decoration ; c) elbow length with rouching clothing, gloves, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire blackburn nance, dairy farms, fruit orchards

A Lady's white, long, cotton nightdress, with lace inserts and small mother of pearl buttons, was made by an early settler woman in Moorabbin Shire c1900. The women of the pioneer families made and repaired their families clothing as they developed the market gardens , dairy farms and fruit orchards This Lady's white long cotton nightdress with lace inserts is an example of the needlework and dressmaking skills of the early settler women in Moorabbin Shire ,Lady's white, long, cotton nightdress with lace inserts, short sleeves and small mother of pearl buttons clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire blackburn nance, dairy farms, fruit orchards

A Lady's white, long, cotton half petticoat with a gathered flounce and lace insert at hem. The petticoat has a placket on the side seam and is fastened with bone buttons, The pioneer families had to be self sufficient making their own tools, clothing, while developing their market gardens, fruit orchards and dairy farms in Moorabbin Shire The pioneer women in Moorabbin Shire had to make and repair the clothes for themselves and their families and were accomplished in dressmaking, needlework , craftwork and knitting A Lady's white, long, cotton half petticoat with a wide flounce lace edging and bone buttons at side seam clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire blackburn nance, dairy farms, fruit orchards

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

A traditional Baby's long white calico Christening gown with cut-work and pintucks on the front yoke and fastened at back by a mother of pearl button and draw string at neck with long waist ties. The women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire were skilled dressmakers and craft workers and made the clothes for their families. There were times when prices for produce were not good and families struggled to support their families until prosperity returned. However they still made simple materials special by their dressmaking and craft work skills The early settler families followed the religious traditions of their Churches. This Baby's long white calico Christening gown is an example of the simple dressmaking skill of a woman making a special garment with inexpensive material and her cut- work decoration. A Baby's long, white calico Christening gown with pintucks,cut-work, lace, long sleeves, long waist ties and a draw string neck. clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, lace work, cut work, christening gowns, methodist church, religious services, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, moorabbin shire blackburn nance, 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

These white table cloths 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 table cloths are examples of the dressmaking, crochet and needlework skills of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 2 small white table cloths a) linen with wide crochet edge b) cotton with 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