Showing 535 items
matching women in wool
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Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - FLAT IRON
Flat irons were used for general ironing. Historical information Sad Irons (the term comes from an old word sald for solid) 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 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. A solid piece of cast iron, the base is triangular a shape with a ten centimetre base with curved sides coming to a point 15.5 centimetres from the base and is three centimteres thick. The bottom of the iron is flat. Two curved pieces three centimetres wide, half a centimetre thick and seven centimetres apart rise from rise up eight centimetres, between them is a two centimetre diameter and ten centimetre long hollow handle. Embossed on the iron is - 4 SILVESTERS PATENT SALTER and an arrow with a knotted rope around it. K5polishing iron, silvesters patent, sad iron -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Magazine - AILEEN AND JOHN ELLISON COLLECTION: THE NEW NATION MAGAZINE
The New Nation Magazine Sept. Oct. Nov. Issue. September 1, 1932. On the front cover a painting "The Murrumbidgee River by J. R. Jackson. Price 1 shilling the magazine has 112 pages, the last two pages are ripped and the back cover is missing. Contents: Frontispiece "morning of the dogger bank" (by T. Benetter)- The British commonwealth of Nations - Switzerland, land of lakes and mountains (by Hilary lofting) - Highways of the Syrian desert (by Francis Birtles) - Seven ages of the Australian aboriginal - The game of the empire, the approaching cricket test matches (by M. A. Noble) - Short story, the last run (by H. H. Cardinal) - "The hidden bird" (by E. M. England) - North Australia trails ( by C. Price Conigrave) - Tales of the turf Fred Archer (by S. A. Marden) - The wide world round - Cape Horn (by J. Newman Barker) - "The home in the clearing" (by Sydney long) - Whitsunday passage (by Henry G. Lamond) - Old bridges (by J. L. Ranken) - The city of the longest drink (by A. C. Cummins) - The life of the cuckoo (by M. S.) - Radio - The world of music (by A. L. Kelly) - The world of women (by E. G. Manby Suttor) - Shopping from an easy chair - The Australian wool trade - Our verse farm - My wool clip (by H. W. Wright) - Windjammer days (by Gerald M. Moody) - Quarterly review of the stock and meat industry (by J. B. Cramsie) - New Zealand letter - At ye booksellers today - A number of things - The modern home - Portland cement - The good housewife (by E. G. Manby Suttor) - Cousin Shirley.book, magazine, the new nation -
Ruyton Girls' School
Photograph, Ruyton Girls' School, 1951
The photograph depicts 12 young women students who were part of the 1951 Ruyton Girls' School hockey team. The students are all dressed in light coloured shorts with a collared, buttoned blouse, wool blazers, white socks and white sneakers. Three girls are kneeling in the front row, and nine are standing up in the back row. All of the students are holding their own hockey stick. The photograph was taken on School grounds, next to a pond which is no longer in existence at Ruyton. The idea of field hockey for female players was brought to Victoria by two sisters, Lillian and Margaret Irving, who had first seen girls playing it during their travels in England in 1902. By 1903, the Irving sisters were joint headmistresses of Lauriston, a school they had founded two years earlier. Both had deep connections to Ruyton Girls' School through their time as teachers at the older school during the 1880s-1890s. For Lilian Irving, this had included seven years as Ruyton's co-Principal with Miss Eliza Bromby from 1888-1895. With these links it was only natural that Ruyton students would join Lauriston to try out the new game. On a vacant block on the corner of Mercer and Malvern Roads, students from Ruyton and Lauriston Girls' Schools had assembled to play Victoria’s first ever inter-school hockey match for girls. Some students from Melbourne Girls' Grammar School came along to watch the spectacle and assess the new game's potential. Hockey quickly caught on, and friendly games were soon being played amongst a number of Melbourne's girls' schools. An Association was formed in 1905, and the rules formalised. These included arrangements around the competition fixture and the length of games (35 minutes for each half). In celebration of their joint role in bringing field hockey to Victorian school girls, Ruyton and Lauriston have met for friendly re-enactment matches in 2003 and 2018. The photograph also illustrates the shift in hockey uniform and apparatus. In the early 1920s, Ruyton established instructions for playing attire: "skirts must be eight inches off the ground. No white petticoats...", and importantly, least any team get an unfair advantage, "hard-rimmed hats and hatpins must not be worn during play." Ruyton appears to have taken the latter instruction to heart, and adopted the soft tam o’shanter hat as seen in surviving photographs of early teams. The tam o’shanter may have been removed for play, but the blouse and long skirt had to be put up with. According to Lilian Irving they had "a horrid habit of parting company", and she was delighted to see the transition to a more comfortable tunic in later years. Another change she observed was the hockey stick itself, which originally were all of "uniform thickness from handle to head, about the thickness of a stout walking stick" and so very different from the hockey sticks that are used today.The record has strong historic significance as it depicts a former notable student, Helen Gordon (maiden name Cole), pictured third from the right in the front row. Helen started at Little Ruyton in Prep 1940 and finished Year 12 in 1952 as School Captain, Bromby Captain, Form Captain for Matric, Tennis Captain, Hockey Captain, Swimming Vice Captain, and an award for Best All-Round Girl. She also played baseball for Victoria. After finishing school, Helen went on to graduate from the University of Melbourne as a physiotherapist in 1956. Her first position at age 19 involved setting up clinics with the Victorian Health Department Poliomyelitis Rural division. Helen’s strong ties to Ruyton continued when she held the position of President of the Old Ruytonians’ Association from the start of 1966 to the end of 1967. In 2019, Helen received an Order of Australia Medal for service to community health as a physiotherapist. She was also the recipient of the 2022 Victorian Senior Achiever Award at Parliament House. Helen passed away in July 2023 at age 88. The record's significance is further enhanced by its strong provenance, having been produced by Ruyton Girls' School and donated to the Archives by a familial connection.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper.Reverse: Felicity Jacobs / Ann Dickinson / RGS011/1951/0002 /ruyton girls' school, ruyton, hockey, sport, school sport, field hockey, kew, melbourne, girls school, students, school uniform -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Book, Bailey Elaine, Fox Margaret, Women in Local Government East gippsland, 2003
... Gippsland Wool and Fibre Group. Women in Local Government East ...A booklet reminisences, family history, and recipes from members of the East Gippsland Wool and Fibre Group.genealogy, recipes, settlers -
National Wool Museum
WWI and WWII Knitting books, Australian red Cross, Australian Red Cross Society Knitting Book and Australian Comforts Fund Guide to Knitting, Early 20th Century
Knitting Books provided by The Red Cross for women to contribute to the war effort by knitting garments for soldiers to stay warm. Second booklet also contains a list of donations accepted such as tinned food.Green Folder containing three knitting books. Knitting pattern for wounded soldiers or soldiers currently serving eg air pilots neck muff, airmens wollen gloves and bed socks. Newspaper clipping about knitting.On outside green folder " L.A Anderson, Sutherland's Creek." First Booklet. " Australian Red Cross Society Knitting Book" Second Booklet. " Australian Comforts Fund Victorian Division Guide to Knitting" Index of knitting patterns. Third Booklet. "Red Cross Society Australian Branch"wwi, wwii, australian red cross, red cross society, australian comforts fund, knitting, knitting patterns, victoria -
National Wool Museum
Film - Hirst Family Films, Cedric L Hirst, 1950s
Copy of Godfrey Hirst family videos/photograph on CD. Including 1951 floods at Mill. All video content filmed at Godfrey Hirst Woollen Mill, Swanston Street, South Geelong. Godfrey Hirst's children. Family home in Newtown and holiday home in Eastern View.Compact disc (CD) containing colour video footage. Film has no audio content. Visual content outlined below: 00:00 – 00:05 – External view of brick building – Godfrey Hirst & Co. Pty. Ltd. 00:05 – 00:10 – Exterior garden setting, three men in suits with fabrics and object 00:10 – 00:28 – Exterior garden setting showing eight women, most likely on a break from working at the Godfrey Hirst factory. The footage shows them all getting up and walking back towards the building at the end. 00:28 – 00:38 – Exterior garden setting, showing seven men in white shirts and ties seated and standing around a table, turning pages on a folder on the table. 00:38 – 00:52 – Interior factory setting, showing four men in coats handling green and red wool. 00:52 – 1:08 – Three men in suits in an exterior garden setting looking at paperwork. 1:08 – 1:23 – Four men in coats in a garden handling coloured wool samples. 1:23 – 1:42 – Four men in suits in a garden setting handling woven fabric. Two of the men are holding pipes. 1:42 – 1:57 – Interior factory setting showing men operating machinery. 1:57 – 2:05 – Exterior factory setting showing a man driving machinery carting wool bales. 2:05 – 3:14 - Flood scenes, showing the exterior of the Godfrey Hirst building with a man rowing a boat down the street, and a horse and cart in flood waters. There are scenes of flooded streets, exterior of flooded buildings and people standing in flood waters. 3:14 – 3:40 - Interior building views of flood waters in factory with people, machinery, equipment and textiles in flood waters. 3:40 – 4:03 - Exterior views showing a tractor, boat, horse and people in flood waters. 4:03 – 7:02 Exterior setting showing crowds of people watching a fashion parade. The fashion parade is of women in various clothing, including suits jackets, skirts, coats and hats. 7.02 - END"Hirst family films 1936-1964 Incl. Godfrey Hirst and co P/L Woollen mills"geelong, godfrey hirst & co. pty. ltd., family films, factory, flooding, 1950s, wool processing, fashion, textiles, horse and cart, wool bales, transport, machinery, fashion parade, working life -
National Wool Museum
Hat, 1980
Made by Mrs Sayer in 1980 at Deniliqiun TAFE "Garment Assembly" course which was 2 years long. A popular course which was common in those days, Mrs Sayer was always crafty but not good at the other subjects. She wore this hat with the full ensemble also containing a dress and wool coat from 1980 - 2014.Small brim women's sunhat. Sandy brown in colour. Floral ribbon tied around the hat just on top of the brim which is secured with a green pin on right side of hat. On the front there is a small gold ANZAC badge that reads "Lest We Forget". On the left hand side there is a brown brooch with feathers attached, and the back of the hat features another brooch, which is round in shape and features 6 jewels with one large jewel in the middle. The inside of the hat is lined with orange fabric.clothing, women, fashion, hat -
National Wool Museum
Photograph
Photograph was found by a friend of the donor. Rear of photo has a stamp for "Ritter-Jeppesen Studio, 111 Lonsdale Street Melbourne", which would indicate that it was made between 1940-1962. Image appears to be of staff working at mending tables in an unknown woollen mill.Black and white photo attached to a light brown backing board. Photo shows women seated at desks in an unknown woollen mill, presumably working on 'mending' cloth. Roof appears to have a sawtooth design. -
National Wool Museum
Quilt, Dressed in Memories IV
Winner of "Expressions 2006: The Wool Quilt Prize". Artist statement: 'Dressed in Memories IV is my continued exploration into contemporary quilting by looking back to the history of women, the quilts they made and the memories their work holds. Layered on the wagga of recycled materials is embroidered a dress that my mother made when she was in her teens. This contemporary quilt celebrates women's domestic work through the generations in Australia.'W7183 'Dressed in Memories IV' Detail of 'Dressed in Memories IV' (full photo in W7183textilefibreforumarticle2007.pdf) CV of Michele Eastwood Article 'Stitched and Bound' by Alvena Hall in "Textile Fibre Forum, vol. 21, issue 1, No. 65 2002. Article 'What is a Contemporary Art Quilt?' from "Popular Patchwork, April 2002, England. Article 'Quilt winner dressed for success' from "The Weekly Times", January 3, 2007 Article 'Expressions 2006: The Wool Quilt Prize' from "Textile Fibre Forum" no 85, 2007 Catalogue worksheet page 1 Catalogueworksheet page 2Dressed in Memories IVquilting textile art wagga, eastwood, ms michele, quilting, textile art, wagga -
National Wool Museum
Photograph - Dance Marathon at Geelong Palais, 1922
Image produced in 1922Black and white photo of men and women in formal wear in a big hall.Dance Marathon at Geelong Palais 1922 -
National Wool Museum
Photograph, At wedding of Dawn Beaumont and Les King
Group of women, possibly mill workers, at the wedding of Dawn Beaumont and Les KingAt wedding of Dawn Beaumont and Les Kingtextile mills - staff textile mills - history textile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill, kidman, mr g. l. beaumont, miss dawn king, mr les, textile mills - staff, textile mills - history, textile mills -
National Wool Museum
Trophy, 8 Hours Sports 1947
Donated when "Classweave Industries" closed downPossibly the lid to [w6602]8 Hours Sports/1947 /Won by Federalia/ Women's Industrial Eventtextile mills - sporting teams textile mills - staff woollen mills sporting teams, classweave industries pty ltd federal woollen mills ltd foster valley mill pty ltd, sport, textile mills - sporting teams, textile mills - staff, woollen mills, sporting teams -
National Wool Museum
Photograph, Federal Woollen Mills, Interhouse Sports, A Grade 1942, 1942
Between the 1920’s and 1950’s the YWCA, Blue Triangle and local committee of representatives organised an Inter House Athletics Day for Girls in Geelong and Melbourne. Local Geelong business, such as the surrounding woollen mills, business firms and church clubs would form teams of seven women to compete in a variety of sports such as bowls, basketball, hockey, cricket and soccer. Events such as these were organised to encourage women to participate in competitive sports and network with other women in the workforce.Framed photographFederal Woollen Mills, Interhouse Sports, A Grade 1942 The Lockwood Studios/ Geelongwoollen mills - history woollen mills textile mills - staff sporting teams, classweave industries pty ltd federal woollen mills ltd, sport, woollen mills - history, woollen mills, textile mills - staff, sporting teams -
National Wool Museum
Book, Knitting, Patons Knitting Book no. 345
This book was owned by the late Dr Elizabeth Kerr and was donated to the Museum by the executor of her estate, Margaret Cameron. This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for womens hat, scarves and gloves.Patons KNITTING BOOK NO. 345 / "VELASQUEZ" - See page 12. / P&B / WOOLS / 1'4dknitting handicrafts - history, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history -
National Wool Museum
Clothing - Overcoat, Dominex, c.1970
This overcoat was designed and tailored by Dominex, a company that sold clothing in high end department stores such as Myer and David Jones in the 1940s through to the 2000s. As pictured in the accompanying advertising, Dominex looked to produce clothes for women to “casually, confidently wear … the exquisite styling and superb tailoring of… Dominex Coats”. This sentiment was carried by the company for more than 60 years. Amanda Morgan, a director of the Dominex fashion label in an interview from 2003 said “Not everybody wants sass, or sex, or high fashion for that matter. Au contraire. Our customers will be stylish, sophisticated and womanly, but we don’t do shoestring straps or asymmetrical lines." Dominex was a label specialising in exceptional quality "traditional" dressing for corporate wear. Their clothes looked to provide women with a return to the tried and true values of elegant, unpretentious, classic dressing. "Our look is European-influenced," Morgan explained further. "Inspired by Armani, Valentino, Chanel and Escada. Suits have been specially dyed in France to ensure the perfect shade of ice blue, lemon, grey, or slate. Fabrics are natural, silk and linen. Shapes are stylish, with an almost 1930s feel; classic pants, silk shirts, structured overcoats with elegant-length” Returning to this overcoat, it has a label on the inside which reads “Pure Wool Material by Godfrey Hirst of Geelong”. Nowadays Godfrey Hirst produce flooring products and are the largest manufacturer and exporter of residential and commercial carpets in Australasia. They have expanded into hard flooring and left their fashion days behind. This overcoat serves as a useful example of a different time for the company; before they made the change to concentrating exclusively on flooring, when they produced fabrics to be tailored for the height of Australian fashion. This overcoat was purchased and worn by Joan Waller, aunty of the donor, Kim Rosenow. Kim said her aunty was from Ballarat but frequently shopped in Melbourne to keep up with the latest trends. Her aunty Joan fitted the target demographic of Dominex well, as she needed to look sophisticated and elegant at social events and work. Kim donated the overcoat to the National Wool Museum in 2021. Green singled breasted overcoat with a narrow overlap and one column of buttons for fastening. The overcoat features notched lapels of a medium width and two large buttons of a green & dark green marble. The overcoat has two semi-visible jetted pockets at the hips. Internally, the overcoat features a black silk lining for comfort. It also features a stitched patch on the left side of the opening which reads “Pure Wool Material by Godfrey Hirst of Geelong”. At the collar, another patch reads “Dominex REGD”. At the cuffs, the overcoat finishes in a type of gauntlet cuff which stretches back over 200mm. The decorative finish utilises no buttons and has thick piping to accentuate this design feature. The overcoat finishes with a simple invisible hem at the bottom.Wording, gold. Patch stitched at collar: “DomineX / REGD.” Wording, black. Patch stitched at left off opening: “PURE WOOL MATERIAL BY / Godfrey Hirst / OF GEELONG”dominex, fashion, women's corporate wear, godfrey hirst, overcoat, wool clothing -
National Wool Museum
Functional object - Wool Winder, pre. 1950
Originating from Scotland pre-1950, this wool winder is ornately decorated featuring a male figure at its peak and a cherub at its base. Wool Winders are practical objects typically with minimal decoration; however, Wool Winders with ornate design features do exist. Scrimshaw (whale ivory) was a popular choice of material in the 18th and 19th century. It is smooth, preventing yarn from getting caught when unwinding, as well as having artistic beauty. Wool winders require a heavy base, as to not topple over when in use. It is popular to decorate these bases on more elaborate winders, such as shown in this example. The bows featured to tie the wood segments together is another feature of more elaborate models of wool winders, also highlighted in this example. This winder began life in the possession of Annie Crawford. The Crawford name has a strong connection with the town of Paisley, Scotland, and its Woollen Mills. The Crawford name can be seen working at the Woollen Mills in the 1851 Scotland Census, with Robert and his brother’s James and John working as Wool dyers. Their father Alexander also worked as a Loom Weaver. The winder immigrated with Annie when she, her husband and 3 children travelled to Australia, ready to start a new life. Most of their possessions were left behind in Scotland. This winder accompanied the family on their journey; so it stands to reason that the winder was special to them. Annie Crawford passed the winder onto her eldest daughter Joan Crawford. Joan did not have any children and so she passed the winder onto the eldest female grandchild, Fiona Crawford. Fiona Crawford continued the connection of the Crawford name with textiles, with an exhibition titled "When you go looking for me, I am not there". Utilising medieval embroidery tradition of ‘Punto Assisi, the exhibition was a reflection on the lack of women recorded in history, particularly their contribution to the domestic arts. Her work investigates both the absence of women while also honouring the unknown female makers of this now highly desired art. The Wool Winder was donated to the National Wool Museum in 2021 by Dianne Crawford, the sister of Fiona Crawford. Umbrella swift style wool winder made of metal, wood, and ribbon. Decorated at its highest point with a sculpted man standing on one leg, holding what is perhaps a rolled newspaper as though he may be bidding at an auction. Or perhaps he is holding a hank of wool. The man stands upon a three-tier platform of decreasing size and design which leads to the central metal shaft. At the base, the winder is decorated with an engraved cherub. Both figures have a small hole in one of their hands, indicating that they originally held something. Unfortunately, it is not known what this is. From the central metal shaft, this winder has 2 rows of 6 arms radiating out. These arms cross in the middle to form an X. These arms are also connected horizontally with additional arms which cross. This all forms an intricate web design, tied together with ribbon. The size of the web these arms create is adjustable, to accommodate yarns of different length. Beneath the second row of arms is a locking screw which holds this row at the desired height and width. This entire top section, beginning at the central metal shaft, can be unscrewed from its base for easier storage. The base begins in a wooden circular shape growing into a smaller ornately designed raise on which the cherub sits. From the head of the cherub the central metal shaft begins.paisley, scotland, wool winder, immigration -
National Wool Museum
Archive - Advertisement, Australian Wool Bureau, 1953
... Australian Wool Bureau Australian Women's Weekly Wool Blankets ...Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Advertisement "There is no substitute for wool" (Blanket range)Wool Blankets to bring exciting new glamour into your bedroom/There is no substitute for Woolblankets, blanket fever, advertisements, australian wool bureau, australian women's weekly -
National Wool Museum
Archive - Advertisement, Australian Wool Bureau, 1954
... Australian Wool Bureau Australian Women's Weekly For Glamour ...Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Magazine Advertisement 'For Glamour, For Value'For Glamour, For Value, Wool Blankets are the answerblankets, blanket fever, advertisements, australian wool bureau, australian women's weekly -
National Wool Museum
Archive - Advertisement, Australian Wool Bureau, 1957
... Australian Wool Bureau Australian Women's Weekly A Timely Home ...Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Advertisement "Brighten up your bedroom with Wool"A Timely Home Decorator's Hint from the Australian Wool Bureau/Brighten up your bedroom with Wool/There is no substitute for WOOLwool, blanket, blanket fever, advertisement, australian wool bureau, australian women's weekly -
National Wool Museum
Archive - Advertisement, Australian Wool Bureau, 1957
... Australian Wool Bureau Australian Women's Weekly Wool Blankets/Your ...Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Advertisement "Wool Blankets"Wool Blankets/Your best buy for warmth...for beauty...for wear/There is no substitute for WOOLwool, blankets, blanket fever, advertisement, australian wool bureau, australian women's weekly -
National Wool Museum
Archive - Advertisement, Castlemaine Woollen Mill, 1956
Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Advertisement, Castlemaine pure virgin wool blankets (mother and daughter)"-and they'll be just as lovely 20 years from now/Castlemaine pure virgin wool blankets/Australia's finest since 1875wool, blankets, blanket fever, advertisement, australian women's weekly, castlemaine -
National Wool Museum
Archive - Advertisement, 1957
Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Advertisement "They're as lovely as ever" (mother and bride to be) Castlemaine blankets"My trousseau blankets were Castlemaine, too, and they're still as lovely as ever"/Castlemaine Pure Virgin Wool Blankets/Australia's finest since 1875wool, blankets, blanket fever, advertisement, castlemaine, australian women's weekly -
National Wool Museum
Archive - Advertisement, Castlemaine Woollen Mill, 1958
Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Advertisement Castlemaine blankets "Warm as a summer breeze"Warm as a Summer Breeze/Light as a Floating Cloud/Castlemaine Blankets/Castlemaine-the Aristocrat of Blanketswool, blanket, blanket fever, advertisement, castlemaine, australian women's weekly -
National Wool Museum
Archive - Advertisement, Challenge Woollen Mills, 1961
Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Advertisement, Challenge blankets, ElectracolourFirst Time Ever!/Clan Murray Challenge Blankets/Bring You New Colours Glowing like Early Morning Sunlight/Electracolour/from New Swiss Miracle Dyes/Still with the Super Luxury of Kitten-soft Double "Perma-Nap" Finishwool, blanket, blanket fever, challenge, advertisement, australian women's weekly -
National Wool Museum
Archive - Advertisement, Laconia Woollen Mills, 1951
... the blankets are from." Blankets Blanket fever Wool Laconia ...Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." 'So warm, so soft, so everlasting (lambs frolicking on a pile of blankets)So warm, so soft, so everlasting/Laconia Pure Lambs Wool Blankets/Make Goodnight a Certainty blankets, blanket fever, wool, laconia, advertisement, australian women's weekly -
National Wool Museum
Archive - Advertisement, Laconia Woollen Mills, 1957
... Advertisement Australian Women's Weekly Laconia Pure Lamb's Wool ...Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Laconia Pure Lamb's Wool Blankets (mother and baby in bed)Laconia Pure Lamb's Wool Blankets/Make Goodnight a Certainty/*There's nothing in the World like WOOLblankets, blanket fever, wool, laconia, advertisement, australian women's weekly -
National Wool Museum
Archive - Advertisement, Laconia Woollen Mills, 1958
... the blankets are from." Blanket Blanket fever Wool Laconia ...Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." 'Laconia Queen' in white gown, 'Australia's loveliest blankets'Australia's loveliest blankets/Laconia Pure Lamb's Wool Blankets/Make 'Goodnight' a Certainty blanket, blanket fever, wool, laconia, advertisement, australian women's weekly -
National Wool Museum
Archive - Advertisement, Laconia Woollen Mills, 1959
... the blankets are from." Blanket Blanket fever Wool Laconia ...Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." 'Warmth without weight' Sheep with lady wearing blue nightclothesWarmth without weight/Laconia Blankets/100% Pure Lamb's Wool /Make Goodnight a Certainty blanket, blanket fever, wool, laconia, advertisement, australian women's weekly -
National Wool Museum
Archive - Advertisement, Laconia Woollen Mills, 1963
... the blankets are from." Blanket Blanket Fever Wool Laconia ...Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." 'Laconia Makes a Bed' blanket range across two pages Laconia Makes a Bed/Softer, warmer, lovelier for years and years to come/Laconia 100% Pure Lambs' Wool Blankets blanket, blanket fever, wool, laconia, advertisement, the australian women's weekly -
National Wool Museum
Archive - Advertisement, Laconia Woollen Mills, 1964
... the blankets are from." Blanket Blanket fever Wool Laconia ...Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." 'Treat yourself to the luxury of Australia's best blankets (blanket range): three examplesTreat yourself to the luxury of Australia's best blankets/Laconia 100% Pure Lamb's Wool/Make Goodnight a Certainty blanket, blanket fever, wool, laconia, advertisement, australian women's weekly