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Hume City Civic Collection
Photograph
This is a black and white photograph of a group of women who were members of the Country Women's Association. The original photograph was taken in the Sunbury Memorial Hall.A black and white copy of a group of women.country women's association, sewing, craft, women's organizations, collett, margaret, duggan, mary, sunbury memorial hall, george evans collection -
National Wool Museum
Booklet, Sheep to suit
"Sheep to suit" -The Melbourne College of Textiles, 1984. The story of the Melbourne College of Textile's World Record of 1hr, 32 minutes, 33.52 sec on June 24, 1982, recorded by the Guinness Book of RecordsBooklet describing the 'Sheep to Suit' event for the Guiness Book of World Records.textile production fashion shearing weaving sewing, melbourne college of textiles australian wool corporation sunbeam corporation limited, carding, spinning, highlights of the national wool museum: from sheep to suit - exhibition (22/09/2001 - 02/12/2001), textile production, fashion, shearing, weaving, sewing -
National Wool Museum
Jumper
Grey jumper, which formed part of the uniform for the 1987 Melbourne College of Textiles "Sheep to Suit" team and which was worn by John Hawthorne who took part in the event.Worn by participant in the 'Sheep to suit' event. Worn by participant in the 'Sheep to suit' event.Textiles/TAFE [Japanese characters]textile production fashion shearing weaving sewing, melbourne college of textiles, carding, spinning, highlights of the national wool museum: from sheep to suit - exhibition (22/09/2001 - 02/12/2001), textile production, fashion, shearing, weaving, sewing -
National Wool Museum
Pants
Black track pants, which formed part of the uniform for the 1987 Melbourne College of Textiles "Sheep to Suit" team and which were worn by John Hawthorne who took part in the event.Worn by participant in the 'Sheep to suit' event.textile production fashion shearing weaving sewing, melbourne college of textiles, carding, spinning, highlights of the national wool museum: from sheep to suit - exhibition (22/09/2001 - 02/12/2001), textile production, fashion, shearing, weaving, sewing -
National Wool Museum
T-shirt
White t-shirt, which formed part of the uniform for the 1982 Melbourne College of Textiles "Sheep to Suit" team and which was worn by Mr John Hawthorne who took part in the event.AUSTRALIA WORLD RECORD 1HR 34 MINS 33.42 SECS GUINNESS/ SHEEP/ TO/ SUIT/ 1982textile production fashion shearing weaving sewing, melbourne college of textiles, carding, spinning, highlights of the national wool museum: from sheep to suit - exhibition (22/09/2001 - 02/12/2001), textile production, fashion, shearing, weaving, sewing -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Textile - Hamilton-Smith Collection lace c. late 1800s - early 1900s
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 -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Naringal School 1932, C 1932
The Naringal school was originally known as Tallangatta S S when it was opened in 1877. The era of this photograph saw enrolments increase from around 39 to 59. Headteacher at the time and in this photograph is Mr Wellman. One of its most eminent past pupils was Sister Mona Wilson who was also sewing mistress for a short time before commencing nursing training. She sailed with the 8th division in 1941. and was lost at sea when the ship "Viner Brook " was sunk after being bombed by the Japanese. The Naringal Primary School was burnt to the ground in the Ash Wednesday Bushfires 1983. An interesting depiction of a country school's enrolment in the 1930's. Having been taken in the time of the Great Depression. As the school was destroyed in the Ash Wednesday Bushfires, in 1983 so surviving items relating to the school are limited. Small black and white photograph mounted on fawn card with darker border on the edge and also around the photograph. It depicts 38 children with teacher in back row. Naringal School No 1839, 1932 on board.naringal, tallangatta victoria, mr wellman naringal, naringal primary school 1932 -
Mont De Lancey
Functional object - Vintage Spools, Unknown
These old spools or bobbins were used in textile mills and on looms in factories. The wooden one is a piece of the Industrial Revolution. Two vintage or antique wooden and thick cardboard industrial large sewing spools. The wooden one is an example from the Industrial Revolution. It has a round wooden top and base, with metal bands around both ends. There are two holes in one end at the side of the bigger hole in the middle which the spool would be attached to a machine. It has thick twisted discoloured cream string like thread wound around it. The cardboard wide open ended spool is smaller with thick cream coloured silk thread wound onto it.They were probably used in mills or factories.cotton reels, thread holders, threads -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Codling Collection 01 - The Finishing Touch (previously Arnold’s Produce Store)
Miss Olive Codling was a Foundation Member and a Life Member of the Wodonga Historical Society. Many of her prize-winning photos are held in the Society Collection. She also held a range of roles and committee positions in a wide range of Wodonga community organisations. These included the Horticultural Society, the Wodonga Arts Council, the Wodonga Camera Club and the Wodonga Lapidary Club. This photo collection is significant as it documents how the businesses and buildings in Wodonga have evolved and contributed to community throughout the 20th century.The Finishing Touch, homeware and gifts on the corner of what is now High and Elgin Street. Including John Penny’s Sewing Centre and sewing machine service. At various times it has also been occupied by Elders Real Estate and Jim Matthew's cycles A "Malvern Star" sign is still visible in this photo. It was also previously A. Arnold & Co, General Merchant. In 1924, Arthur Arnold and his father Wilhelm Arnold had established a general store in High Street, near the water tower, but in 1931–32 they moved to new premises in High Street on the corner of what is now known as Elgin Boulevard. In 1933-34 they widened the frontage of the shop and added new premises at the rear for the sale of produce. As customer debt mounted during the depression, it became difficult for Arthur and Wilhelm to re-stock the shop, so they enticed customers into paying their accounts by rewarding them with a small individual cream or milk jug upon payment. The jugs were made in Czechoslovakia and displayed the war memorial, water tower and bandstand from Woodland Grove, Wodonga. The Arnolds continued to trade until they finally closed their store in 1950. Wilhelm Arnold was a brother of J G Arnold, whose business ultimately became the present-day Arnold’s Fruit Market, Wodonga. wodonga businesses, high st wodonga, the finishing touch, a arnold general merchant -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Photograph, Toolamba West School, 1941, 2001
Toolamba West School, 1941.|Tatura East School.|Back: Mr.Myer O'Donnell, H.T.; Jean Craven; Jean Hunt; Grace Sterling; Margaret Vincent; Isobel Cambell; Eva Sterling;|Second Back: George Pullar; Richard Ashton; David Cambell; Kevin Hunt; Betty Vincent; Patricia Nelson; Dawn Jack; Norma Bassett; Miss Margaret Ward (sewing mistress).|Seated: Les Jack; Brian Davies; Graham Bassett; Colin McNab; Max Steigenberger; John Ratcliffe.|Front: Marjorie Attwood, Margaret Payne; Thea Reed; Marion Delaney; Faye Jack; Marjorie Russell.photograph, people -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Document - Kitchen equipment, charcoal sad iron, c1880
This type of Charcoal iron was used by early settler families in Moorabbin Shire. The body or ‘box’ of the iron was filled with red-hot coals from the Kitchen hearth. This made for hot as well as smoky ironing and the handle would have become very hot. This type of iron is still used in some countries where electric power is unavailable. This Charcoal flat iron was used by the Curtis family who were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1880. A charcoal sad iron with leather covered handle c 1880 The cast iron body or ‘box’ of this sad iron was filled with red-hot coals from the hearth and great care had to be taken to prevent scorching the material to be smoothed.iron charcoal, flat iron, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin, brighton, market gardeners, craftwork, sewing, laundry equipment, kitchens -
National Wool Museum
Booklet, Sheep to suit
"Sheep to suit" -The Melbourne College of Textiles, 1984. The story of the Melbourne College of Textile's World Record of 1hr, 32 minutes, 33.52 sec on June 24, 1982, recorded by the Guinness Book of RecordsBooklet describing the 'Sheep to Suit' event for the Guiness Book of World Records.This record was broken in 1987 by "The Melbourne College of Textiles" for the Japanese programme "These Wonderful People" Time 1 hour 27 Minutes 59.32 secs. Time difference = 6 Minutes 04.13 secstextile production fashion shearing weaving sewing textile mills textile mills, melbourne college of textiles australian wool corporation sunbeam corporation limited, carding, spinning, highlights of the national wool museum: from sheep to suit - exhibition (22/09/2001 - 02/12/2001), textile production, fashion, shearing, weaving, sewing, textile mills -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Domestic object - Cloth badge, K. F. Williams & Co. and 63 Hoddle St Richmond, Dec. 1991
Cloth badge for sewing onto a jacket featuring a printed image of Ballarat Vintage Tramway No. 26 on a green and white background with a sewn red border. The badge has been backed onto a piece of stiff cloth and the red sewn border edge secured with a piece of adhesive tape. Produced by K. F. Williams of Hoddle St. Richmond in Dec. 1991 and advertised as being available for sale at the depot in Jan 1992 issue of Fares Please! Copy of sheet in Fares Please! and notes regarding production, costs, number ordered included with the worksheet. See C. Deans notes of 8/7/2003 - email. tram, trams, badges, btm, cloth badges, souvenirs -
Bendigo Military Museum
Postcard - POSTCARD - PHOTOGRAPHIC WW1, C WW1
Postcards collected and sent by "J.P. Vercoe", No 2530 whilst serving during WW1. Part of the Cooper Collection.1. Photograph postcard featuring a baby sitting in a high chair. Handwritten info on the back. 2. Colour photographic postcard featuring buildings and horsedrawn transport. Handwritten information on back. 3. Colour photographic postcard featuring buildings, pedestrians and horsedrawn vehicles. Handwritten anecdote on back. 4. Black and White illustrated postcard featuring a woman sewing and soldiers in uniform. Caption in black text. Handwritten info on back. 5. Colour photographic postcard featuring a woman and child standing. Caption in French. Handwritten anecdotes on back. 6. Black and White postcard featuring a soldier offering a woman a cigarette. Caption in white text.1. 2. 4. Handwritten in pencil on back: lPte J.P. Vercoe No. 2530, D Company 5 Rein 60th Batt, 15th Inf Brigade, AIF Abroad” 3. & 5. Handwritten letter to “Ethel from J.P. Vercoe”cooper collection, j.p. vercoe, postcard, ww1 -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Sign - Cobbler's Inn, Shoe Repair, Wodonga
Wodonga Water Tower was officially opened on 4th December 1924 to store water for the town of Wodonga. Due to increased consumption demands and the construction of a large reservoir, the Water Tower was decommissioned in 1959. It stood unused until the lower section was modified and put to use as “The Cobbler’s Inn” in 1962. Albert (Bert) Green and his wife Gwen opened a shoe repair business at the base of the Wodonga water tower in 1961. Gwen added a florist shop which operated for some years In 1979 Ron Turton took over the Cobbler’s Inn in partnership with his brother-in-law Len Freyer. Len entered the trade as an apprentice with Quinn's Bootmakers of Wodonga at the age of 14 and later worked with Mr. Green. Ron’s son, Justin also joined the business and took over from his father in 2018. The Cobbler’s Inn was closed in 2024.This item is significant because it was displayed outside a well-known and unique Wodonga Business for approximately 60 years.A collection of images which tell some of the story of the Cobbler's Inn in Wodonga. 1. Cobbler's Inn Sign 2. Albert Green, the first Cobbler's Inn Cobbler 3. Cobbler's Inn at base of Wodonga Water Tower 4. Cobbler's Inn sign & doorway Wodonga 5. Justin and Ron Turton. Ron and his partner Len Freyer, took over from Albert Green. Justin worked with him and later took over the business. 6. Justin & Ron Turton with original sewing machine 7. Inside the Cobbler's Inn 8. Empty shop space inside Wodonga Water Tower March 2025Cobbler's Inncobbler's inn wodonga, wodonga water tower -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Photograph, Toolamba West State School 1941, 2001
Toolamba West State School 1941|Back Row; Mr.Myer O'Donnell,H.T.; Jean Craven; Jean Hunt; Grace Sterling; Margaret Vincent; Isobel Campbell; Eva Sterling.|2nd Back Row: George Pullar; Richard Ashton; David Campbell; Kevin Hunt; Betty Vincent; Patricia Nelson; Dawn Jack; Norma Bassett; Miss Marge Ward (sewing mistress).|Sitting: Les Jack; Brian Davies; Graham Bassett; Colin McNab; Max Steigenberger; John Ratcliffe.|Front: Marjorie Attwood; Margaret Payne; Thea Reed; Marion Delaney; Faye Jack; Marjorie Russell.|Tatura East Primary School.photograph, people -
Brighton Historical Society
Clothing - Dress, Day dress, 1890s
This dress belonged to Mrs Lillias Parker (nee Johnston, 1820-1904). Born in England, Lillias was married in London in 1844 to Samson Parker (c. 1820-1886). The couple lived in Bendigo, Victoria for much of their lives, with Samson first arriving around 1853 and establishing a business with Samuel Macord as tent makers and fruiterers. He later had a successful business as a hat and cap manufacturer and a sewing machine agent. Lillias' obituary suggests that she was one of the first women settlers to live in Bendigo and noted her reputation for philanthropy and her interest in the welfare of the blind and vision impaired, having herself experienced loss of sight many years before.Two piece day dress of mulberry figured silk. The dress comprises a separate bodice (.1) and skirt (.2). The bodice fastens centre front with fabric covered shank buttons and has twelve bones encased along the interior seams and darts. Two piece fitted sleeve and high stand collar. Bodice is backed with a caramel coloured printed cotton. The skirt has a slight train and is backed with a caramel coloured twill-woven cotton. lillias parker, 1890s, bendigo, goldfields -
National Wool Museum
Functional object - Skein Holder, 1890-1900
Skein holder is from c1890-1900 and used by four generations of the donor's family who lived around Woori Yallock and Yellingbo. Donor's family descended from settler John Douthie (1831-1897), his son Andrew Douthie married Jessie Sands Smith (1875 - 1948). Item believed to have been owned by Jessie who passed it on to her fourth child, Mary, who passed it to her child Lillian who passed it to her daughter Leanne, the donor. No makers mark on item. Mary worked as a teacher and sewing mistress at Woori Yallock Primary School and used the item in her personal time to make clothing for the family.An umbrella-style wooden skein holder with a metal clamp at the base to allow it to attach to a table or similar. When not in use, item is small and compact, however once unfolded the arms extend out in an umbrella shape with thin timber rods bound together with leather ties. -
Vision Australia
Administrative record - Text, Twenty Fourth Annual Report of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind 1919, 1919
Annual report of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind outlined activities and events over the year, including withdrawal of the Country Concert Party due to the influenza epidemic, efforts being made to develop a Sewing Guild, continuation of Bark Plaiting to make small baskets, introduction of a French Polishing and Boot Repairing classes, the need for a separate building at Brighton to house the ill and the establishment of fund towards this with a 100 pound donation from the Felton Bequest, and the unfortunate increase in deaths amongst members due to the epidemic including past President T. Lowe, Country Concert Party singer Miss N Gray, and the return from active service of Dr Grey.1 volume of printed material with some illustrationsassociation for the advancement of the blind, annual reports -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, Thank you note to donors and a flyer, 1965
A copy of note that was given to donors to thank them for their donations it was sent with their receipt. Was part of a folio of proforma stationery from the 1960s. The flyer gives some information about Legacy House. It mentions the facilities available for the benefit of widows and children. Including two large well equipped gymnasia which are attended by more than 700 junior legatees each week. A dental clinic were Junior Legatees under 17 years of age are able to receive free dental examinations and treatment. Free medical examinations are carried out here too. Meeting rooms for Junior Legacy Mothers' Club and Senior Widows Club (those over 50 years of age). When printed the Senior Widows Club numbered more than 5,200. It mentions room for fetes run by a number of auxiliaries to raise funds. Also a sewing room fitted with 5 electric sewing machines to make costumes for the Annual Demonstration. A well equipped library for use of the Junior Legatees. A ladies lounge and television room where widows may rest when visiting the city. Rooms for speech training and mathematics coaching classes. A maintenance workshop where all sporting and general equipment used by widows and children can be repaired and/or constructed. Sundry committee meeting rooms where members of Legacy meet to consider and find solutions for the many problems which arise in respect of the families they care for. Sundry equipment and costume storerooms. Office accommodation for permanent staff including welfare and pension officers. Was compiled in a folio of proforma stationery. A similar set of proformas are at 00338.A record of forms and items used in Legacy's business practices in the 1960s.Yellow brochure thanking donors and a flyer about Legacy pasted on brown paper from a folio of forms and brochures from the 1960s.Pencil mark '1960/1'.proformas, stationery, forms, dureau house -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Archive, Sands & McDougall, Sands & McDougall's Melbourne and Suburban Directory for 1890, 1890
Hard Cover with missing spine Fron cover: Ads for Melbourne Permanent Builing Society Top Half. Austral + Otis + Elevator and Engineering Company Limited. Botttom Worthington Steam Pumping Machinery Printed across the Pages on top of book: The Sweet Hapsburg Pianos & Organs at Wertheim;'s DEpot 59 Swanston Street. Across The Sides of the Pages: Melbourne Suburbs Green Pages Alphabetical Red Pages: Trade & Professional Yellow Miscellaneous Bottom; The Wonderful Wertheim Sewings Machines, Mangels and Washers 59 Swanston Street -
Bendigo Military Museum
Postcard - CARDS, POST & GREETING 38th BN, 1916 - 1917
The cards were sent from Leonard James Kennedy Myers No 593 B Coy 38th Bn. .2) Main text of letter is that he is alive and well and that they have been in and out of the Trenches. .3) Main text is that he is alive and well and that they will be going to France by the end of the month. Refer Cat No 5062.2P for his service details and death..1) Xmas card folding 4 pages joined by a brown ribbon in a bow, front has a raised gold Rising Sun with text and music bars, centre has a 4 line short poem followed by a Xmas greeting, hand written at the bottom in ink. .2) Silk Post card with card surround, centre has silk sewing with flags, flowers, writing in gold, an open section that allows for a small card insert with message on, rear has a hand written letter in pencil. .3) Post card B & W with drawing at top followed by a poem of 5 verses, signed in pencil, rear has a hand written letter in pencil..1) Inside, “From Jim to Father” .2) On silk, “I’m thinking on you”. On small card, “From your loving son”. On rear, “France 31.4.1917, Dear Mother, love from Jim xxx”. .3) On front, “To my truest of Pals, my Mother, from Jim”. On rear, “Nov 6th 1916, Dear Mum, goodbye from Jim”.postcards, xmas, 38th bn, b coy -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - T C WATTS & SON COLLECTION: 62 CARPENTER STREET, BENDIGO, 1930
Black and white photographs (s) mounted on rectangular brown board. House, two storey, brick, roughcast above dado height, upper storey has shingles under windows shingles below front gable. Brick verandah piers with wooden freized upperparts. Two stepped masonry approaches, two event verandahs. Roughcast to lower walls below floor level, lower window with six lights [5 leadlighted] On back of photo ' Phillips, Carpenter Street. £2500 sewered with all furnishing including wireless set but not including sewing machine, piano or organ and £3000 with all furniture'. 2012 photo of house attached to record.bendigo, business, t c watts & son -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Uniform - Coat Button/s, Stokes & Sons Melbourne
Set of 17 large and 7 small TB uniform clothing buttons. Large Button about 23 diameter, with TB crest, with backing piece and lug for sewing on rear. Nickel plated silver? Most have two holes in the rear as well. All but one made by Stokes and Sons, Victoria. One large button made by K. G. Luke A/Asia. Small button, approx. 16 diameter, as above, with or without holes in the rear. One button by K. G. Luke A/Asia, four by Stokes and Sons, Victoria and the other two difficult to determine due to dirt etc. Donated by Peter Winspur, from his surplus collection - Nov. 2006 tram, trams, mmtb, melbourne tramways, uniforms, buttons -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Uniform - Coat Button/s, Stokes and Sons, Buttons of Birmingham, 1910-1920
Set of three coat buttons: 1 - Small Prahran and Malvern Tramways Trust - PMTT - made by Stokes and Sons Melbourne - approx. 20mm dia. The badge backing piece is brass. 2 - Large PMTT - heavily worn - made by Stokes and Sons Melbourne - approx. 26mm dia - missing lug. 3 - MMTB button or Badge - damaged - made by Buttons of Birmingham UK - approx. 25mm dia. Each button has a backing piece on rear with a lug (except for 2) for sewing onto a jacket and have name of manufacturer stamped on rear part. "Buttons Ltd" of Birmingham, England has their trade mark, a pair of fully opened scissors.trams, tramways, mmtb, melbourne tramways, uniforms, buttons, pmtt -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Clothing, lady's leather gloves, c1900
This pair of gloves was made in France and purchased by a Moorabbin residentA pair of cream, chamois leather lady's gloves with stitch detailing on back . Size 7 Made in France Size 7craftwork, sewing, gloves, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, mckinnon, ormond, cheltenham, personal effects, evening wear -
Hume City Civic Collection
Photograph, 1980s
The black and white photocopy is taken from a photograph of four women during a presentation at the Country Women's Association function at the Sunbury Memorial Hall.A black and white photocopy of a photograph of four women.country women's association, women's organizations, sewing, craft, duggan, mary, anderson, mrs., collett, margaret, sunbury memorial hall, george evans collection -
Lake Bolac & District Historical Society
Black and white photograph, Wickliffe State School No 948, 1916
Pupils and staff at Wickliffe State School no 948, 1916. Teacher: Mr John Aldie. Sewing Teacher: Miss Nell Ford. Back: Donald Gale, Jack Cleary, Alan Grimmer, Fred Prust, Geoff McInnes, Jim Farrell, Claude Pagels, Jim Ford, Albert Smith. 2nd Row: Hilda Farrell, Jean McInnes, Mona Wileman, Inez Farrell, _________, Marg Prust, Sid Prust, Ray Grimmer. 3rd Row: Mary McInnes, Eileen Cleary, Evie Jackson, Nell McInnes, mMillie Blacjham, Stella Pagels, Kathie Ferguson, Gertie Pagels, Bill Blackham. 4th Row: Ruby Prust, Nell Grimmer, Keith McInnes ,_________, G Wileman, ___________. Front: Allan Gale, Robert Stuart McInnes.wickliffe state school no 948. blackham, cleary, farrell ,ferguson, ford, gale, grimmer, jackson, mcinnes, pagels, prust, smith, wileman. -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Clothing - Traveller's Apron, Eliza Towns, Circa 1915
This apron is one of several linen and clothing items that were made and belonged to Mrs. Eliza Towns and donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village. Eliza was born Eliza Gould in 1857 in South Melbourne (Emerald Hill) and in 1879 married Charles Towns. In the early 1880's they moved to Nhill in western Victoria and remained there for the rest of their married life. Charles was a jeweller and later became an accountant and for many years was involved with the Shire Council, the local show committee (A & P Society), the Hospital Committee and the Board of the local newspaper (the Nhill Free Press). They had three children and lived a life that would be regarded as comfortably "middle class". Eliza probably had a treadle sewing machine and would have made many of her own clothes - adding her own handmade embroidered or crocheted decorative trim. In March 1915 Eliza travelled to San Francisco to visit her son, James. She went by train to Melbourne ("a pleasant journey on the up express') and the next day caught the express train to Sydney. She noted in her letters home that a " number of young men were going to Sydney to enlist but they had to stop in the corridors most of the way as there was no room for them to sit down". She spent the night on the train and arrived in Sydney the next morning and on the following day she boarded the R.M.S. "Moana" (a steamer which took about twenty-four days to reach San Francisco). She returned from Vancouver about five months later on board the "Manuka". It is very likely Eliza took this "Travelling Apron" with her on her travels. Eliza was travelling by herself and had no one to help her with her dress or her hair. "Travelling Aprons" (also known as Toilet Aprons or Tourist Aprons) were designed with different sized pockets for holding a lady's toiletries - hairbrush, hair pins, comb and sometimes even soap and a powder puff. This allowed the owner, when travelling and getting dressed in small places such as an overnight train compartment or a ship's cabin, to have all her requirements at hand without needing to search for them or have them roll onto the floor. Some of the pockets are finished with buttoned flaps to keep the items in place and when not in use, the apron could be hung up or rolled up and put away. Articles about the "Traveller's Apron" appeared in numerous Women's columns in Australian newspapers in the early 20th century - often with instructions and sometimes a pattern. In the "Age" on Sat 5th October 1907 in a column titled "Feminine Facts and Fancies" the author wrote "No man can appreciate the difficulties of dressing in a "wobbly" train or trying to do one's hair while a ship is weathering a storm". A year earlier (Saturday 24th March 1906) in the same column, the author wrote "... you have to spend nights in a train... forever struggling to dress yourself in a wretched little lavatory. You know how your hairpins and combs jump all over the place ... a train is always at its liveliest when you're trying to do your hair. My travelling apron saved me many a rage."This item is an example of the needlework skills of women in the early 20th century - combining machine stitching with hand embroidery to personalise and embellish a practical domestic object. It is also an excellent (and rare) example of an early 20th century innovation that helped solve the difficulties of privacy and convenience that many women experienced at a time when travel was becoming more accessible to them. A half apron, made of ivory linen with two waist ties and seven pockets. Along the top are two smaller pockets with triangular, buttoned flaps labelled "Hairpins" and "Nailbrush" and one larger unlabelled pocket. Underneath are two larger pockets labelled "Brush & Comb" and "Work" and two unlabelled narrow pockets. The seams are machine stitched and the pockets are outlined with hand embroidered feather stitch. The labels on the pockets are embroidered in stem stitch."Hairpins" / "Nailbrush" / "Brush and Comb" / "Work"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, nhill, eliza towns, apron, travelling apron, tourist apron, textiles, toilet apron, sewing, embroidery, travel, warrnambool, great ocean road, trains, ships, moana, manuka, feather stitch, stem stitch, fashion, handmade, clothing, charles towns, needlework -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Postcard - GLADYS DEAN COLLECTION: POSTCARD, 1906 - 1908
Postcard with raised 8.5cm x 8.5cm coloured image of Crystal Palace London. Image has printed words 'Patent' and 'Fab Card' either side of a printed coat of arms at the top and letters W.N.S.B. bottom left corner and 'Series V No 51' bottom right corner. Image is attached to printed 14cm x 9cm black and white printed card. The words 'Fab Card' and 'The Art Patchwork Series' appear on the card either side of the image. Printed drawings of a woman seated sewing and standing placing a cloth on a table appear either side of the image. On reverse card is addressed to Miss Dean McKenzie Street Golden Square Victoria Australia. 1 penny stamp attached.W.N. Sharpe Sole Publisher Bradfordpostcard