Collector's note: "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. Physician - years-of-bliss blankets - (woman on telephone in bed under red blanket)Physician - years-of-bliss blankets - just feel the difference!/Wonderfully warm, without weight…soft and fluffy after countless washings…made from the most luxurious wool in the world….and guaranteed for 20 years/Physician/Luxurious Woollen Blanketsblanket, blanket fever, wool, physician, collins bros, geelong, advertisement, australian women's weekly

Collector's note: "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. Physician - the most beautiful blankets (double page)Vibrant colours or muted tones are yours in/Physician/pure lambswool, chillproof, mothproof, odourlessblanket, blanket fever, wool, collins bros mills, physician, geelong, advertisement, australian women's weekly

Ghost Blanket IV won the 'Award for Excellence' at Ozquilt Network's biennial juried exhibition Art Quilt Australia for 2021. The quilt presented with the Award for Excellence is acquired into the National Wool Museum's Collection dating back to 2000 with the art quilt "Earth Blanket". Artist statement: In "Ghost Blanket IV", woven checked blankets are deconstructed and reimagined to create an appliquéd work with the feel of lace. It celebrates the natural colours of alpaca fleece and the qualities of felted, woven fabric.Woven black white and grey checked design appliqued onto silk organza.ozquilt, quilt, art quilt, wool

This quilt was created by Ms Shirley Critchley, c.1960. it was made in a wagga style from unpicked knitted jumpers that Shirley would repurpose. Some of these jumpers were from her daughters out growing their garments, while others were from jumpers Shirley would find at opportunity stores. One of Shirley’s daughters, Jane McGrath, followed in her mother’s footsteps and begun quilting with Shirley’s guidance. One of Jane’s first quilts, the “Tartan Fabric Sample Quilt” is located within the National Wool Museum’s collection (REG 8282). Multicoloured wagga style quilt. The quilt’s top layer is made from unpicked knitted woollen jumpers. These jumpers are in a variety of colours including yellow, blue, green, and red. Some blocks are a single colour, while others have been knitted with a different secondary colour such as grey or white to give noise. The quilt has an unknown insulating fabric. It shares its backing fabric with the material used to bind the edges together. This material is a woollen blanket in a tartan pattern of a blue background with green and red lines. The quilt is sized to suit a single bed. quilts, wagga, upcycle, shirley critchley/jane mcgrath collection, woollen jumpers

This traditional wagga blanket was made by Mrs Eileen Pattle between 1942 and 1950. The wagga was used as everyday bedding, as Eileen and her husband had very few possessions. They boarded with a man who they called “Old Harry” in Footscray. Old Harry had recently lost his wife and looked after the young couple well. They could stay with him and use his house as their own, and all that Old Harry asked for in return was for Eileen to cook him one good meal a day. The blanket was given to Mrs Beverley (Bev) Maguire, the daughter of Eileen, when she and her husband went camping one winter. Her husband was a “mad” fisherman and on one trip on which Bev joined him, her father offered the couple his old tent, that had a wall missing, and the wagga. The wagga was much appreciated as when the couple woke in the countryside, it was freezing, and they could see snow through the missing tent wall. From then on, the tent and the wagga were theirs. The wagga saw many more camping trips until the arrival of Bev’s “lovely new lightweight and down filled sleeping bag”. The wagga was made with a “make do, waste not, want not” attitude. The wagga started as an army issued blanket. The front layer has clothing and panels of mismatched material which has been added to over time. This includes an overcoat, two knitted garments, a panel from a skirt, and a panel from Old Harry’s Trousers. It also includes a man’s sleeveless knitted vest, and a knitted pram blanket. This is all stitched together with string, and the odd button. Bev said she would love to unpick the quilt to see what else is hiding inside but has resisted the urge to do so. All these layers have made the blanket incredibly warm, and heavy. The wagga has been within Bev’s family since creation and comes into the National Wool Museum Collection after serving the family well. It was used to keep everyone warm when not camping over many a winter’s night. Beverley is now getting on in years and donated the Wagga to the National Wool Museum in 2021. Her family referred to the wagga as a “collection of rags”, indicating to her that they did not wish to inherit the blanket. The wagga started as an army issue blanket. It has been made by stitching the khaki army blanket onto a hessian rear. The front layer has clothing and panels of mismatched material. This includes an overcoat, two knitted garments, a panel from a skirt, and a panel from Old Harry’s Trousers. It also includes a man’s sleeveless knitted vest, and a knitted pram blanket. This is all stitched together with string, and the odd button. It is thought that other materials are hiding within the layers of this wagga, however, uncovering these layers would involve unpicking the quilt. The wagga is 1360 x 1880mm, sized to suit a double bed. It is a heavy blanket, originating from all its panels of mismatched reused clothing. The wagga is well worn but has lasted almost 80 years. It has holes that have been lovingly re-stitched.wagga, quilt, upcycle

An education kit on the subject of production of a woollen blanket from a fleece. Produced by the Australian Wool Corporation in conjunction with the Victorian Education Department.textile industry - education textile production, textile industry - education, textile production

Sample of fabric produced by Collins Bros Mill for use in Physician brand blankets, c.1930s.TRADE MARK / PHYSICIAN / REG NO 16997 / SPOTLESS FINISH / FREE FROM FILLING / GUARANTEED PURE VIRGIN WOOLtextile production, collins bros mill pty ltd

Sample of fabric produced by Collins Bros Mill for use in Physician brand blankets, c.1930s.TRADE MARK / PHYSICIAN / REG NO 16997 / SPOTLESS FINISH / FREE FROM FILLING / GUARANTEED PURE VIRGIN WOOL "PHYSICIAN" Regd.textile production, collins bros mill pty ltd

Sample of fabric produced by Collins Bros Mill for use in Physician brand blankets, c.1930s.TRADE MARK / PHYSICIAN / REG NO 16997 / SPOTLESS FINISH / FREE FROM FILLING / GUARANTEED PURE VIRGIN WOOL "PHYSICIAN" Regd.textile production, collins bros mill pty ltd

Advertising sign (probably a point of sale / counter top sign) for Collins Bros Mill 'Physician' brand blankets.Advertisign sign for Collins Bros Mill 'Physician' brand blankets.Physician / Chillproof Blankets / IN THE LATEST FASHION SHADES - PLAIN, CHECK, COLORED & RIBBON BOUND / "Rest Assured" / COLLINS BROS. PTY. LTD. / GEELONG - AUSTRALIA MASON, FIRTH & McCUTCHEON, / PTY. LTD., MELBOURNE.textile production, collins bros mill pty ltd

Advertising sign (probably a point of sale / counter top sign) for Collins Bros Mill 'Physician' brand blankets.Advertising sign for Collins Bros Mill 'Physician' brand blankets.Heavenly ... / cloud-soft luxurious warmth / PHYSICIAN / Chillproof / BLANKETS / Pure Lambswool blended in colours of fashion / guaranteed 20 years and mothproofed / COLLINS BROS. PPTY. LTD. GEELONG, VICTORIAtextile production, collins bros mill pty ltd

Blanket label from the RSS Mill, Geelong.Rug label from an RSS Mill rug.THE / Lamonttextile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill, label, 1918: australians in france - exhibition (19/02/2000 - 30/04/2000)

Blanket label from the RSS Mill, Geelong.Rug label from an RSS mill rug.THE / Douglastextile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill, label, 1918: australians in france - exhibition (19/02/2000 - 30/04/2000)

Blanket label from the RSS Mill, Geelong.Rug label from an RSS Mill rug.THE / Cunninghamtextile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill, label, 1918: australians in france - exhibition (19/02/2000 - 30/04/2000)

Blanket label from the RSS Mill, Geelong.Rug label from an RSS Mill rug.THE / Colquhountextile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill, label, 1918: australians in france - exhibition (19/02/2000 - 30/04/2000)

Rug label produced by the RSS Mill in Geelong for the Blamey rug.Rug label from the RSS Mill's Blamey rug.THE GEELONG R.S.&S. WOOLLEN MILLS / PURE / WOOL / THE / T.A. Blamey / RUGworld war i textile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill, 1918: australians in france - exhibition (19/02/2000 - 30/04/2000) logo merino: sheep in australian art and design - exhibition (29/07/2000 - 04/02/2001), blamey, lt gen. sir thomas albert gbe, kcb, cmg, dso, world war i, textile mills

Blanket label from the RSS Mill, Geelong for a Retsol rug.Retsol rug label from the RSS mill.THE GEELONG R.S.&S. WOOLLEN MILLS / PURE / WOOL / RETSOL RUGStextile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill, retsol rugs, label, 1918: australians in france - exhibition (19/02/2000 - 30/04/2000) logo merino: sheep in australian art and design - exhibition (29/07/2000 - 04/02/2001)

Blanket label from the RSS Mill, Geelong for a Retsol rug.Retsol rug label from the RSS mill.THE GEELONG R.S.&S. WOOLLEN MILLS / PURE / WOOL / RETSOL RUGStextile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill, retsol rugs, label, 1918: australians in france - exhibition (19/02/2000 - 30/04/2000) logo merino: sheep in australian art and design - exhibition (29/07/2000 - 04/02/2001)

Unused invoice / receipt from the Alva Woollen Manufacturing Company of Footscray, from the 1930s.Document (unused invoice/receipt) from the Alva Woollen Manufacturing Company, Footscray, 1930s.2 BARKLY PLACE, FOOTSCRAY / Footscray, W.11 _____193 / M ________ / ALVA WOOLLEN MANUFACTURING CO. / Makers of Fancy Woollens, Shawls, Scarves and Blanketswoollen mills, alva woollen manufacturing company

Postcards produced by Collins Bros Pty Ltd weaving and finishing mills, Geelong, advertising "Physician" brand blankets, flannels, ladies dress materials.Postcard advertising Collins Bros Mill products and showing the weaving and finishing mills.COLLINS BROS PTY LTD / WOOLLEN MANUFACTURERS, GEELONG. / Views of the Weaving & Finishing Mills / MAKERS OF THE FAMOUS 'PHYSICIAN' BRAND / BLANKETS FLANNELS / LADIES DRESS MATERIALS / SPOTLESS FINISH / FREE FROM FILLING / GUARANTEED PURE VIRGIN WOOL / TR POST CARD / CORRESPONDENCE / ADDRESS ONLY / KODAK / AUSTRAL / KODAK / AUSTRALtextile mills, collins bros mill pty ltd

Quilt entitled "Growth" by Lois Densham, Melbourne, 1987. Depicts the growth of the woollen industry in Victoria. Quilt used in the exhibition "Wool in the Australian Imagination" (Historic Houses Trust of NSW, 1994) where it was stated that the artist likes to tell people about themselves and their world through her work by the use of familiar fabrics such as blankets.Quilt entitled "Growth" by Lois Densham, Melbourne, 1987.handicrafts, quilting, woollen mills history, running stitch group, running stitch collection, label, highlights of the national wool museum: from waggas to the wool quilt prize - exhibition (22/09/2001 - 02/12/2001), densham, ms lois, woollen mills - history

Mr Perkins joined the police force in his early twenties and apart from an 18-month posting in Melbourne, spent the rest of his career serving communities in country Victoria. He was a keen fisherman and hunter- his first love was sitting on the banks of the Murray River with a fishing rod in his hand. Family camping trips were spent by the river where everyone slept on stretchers with several army blankets underneath and a wheat bag wagga on top. This wagga is made from two standard sized jute wheat bags split and hand bound along the seams. It is typical of a basic wagga made by shearers, farmers and swagmen. The paint stains on this wagga display signs of later use as a painting drop sheet by descendants who inherited the quilt. Quilt made of two standard size jute wheat bags (a bushel = 150lbs) split and hand bound along seams. It is an example of the basic type of wagga made by shearers, farmers or swagmen. Another use for the wagga was as a 'drop sheet' when doing house painting- possibly explaining the paint stains on the wagga.quilting history, running stitch group, running stitch collection, highlights of the national wool museum: from waggas to the wool quilt prize - exhibition (22/09/2001 - 02/12/2001), perkins, mr percy, quilting - history

Donated to the Running Stitch collection by Mrs Faulkner of Bendigo after she saw the exhibition curated by Murray Walker at the Museum of Victoria in 1985 of memorabilia. Mrs Faulkner sent the wagga down on the train and Lois Densham picked it up from 'Travellers Aid' at Spencer Sreet station. Mrs Faulkner made this wagga for her father in his later years when a hot water bottle was considered too dangerous and a blanket was not warm enough.Printed cretonne cover of yellow and orange flowers, covering a wagga style quilt made of two standard size wheat bags opened out and stitched together. An opening in the cover has been tacked down to reveal the jute lining.quilting - history, running stitch group, running stitch collection, highlights of the national wool museum: from waggas to the wool quilt prize - exhibition (22/09/2001 - 02/12/2001), faulkner

Maker unknown. This blanket was part of the standard army issue kit and belonged to Lois Denshams father, who served at Gallipoli during the first world war. Before donating the blanket to the Running stitch collection, it was kept by Lois' Aunty Nita. Lois remembers that it was kept in her fathers original kit bag and kept at her aunts place because of sad memories about the war which her mother found difficult. The humble army blanket had many uses during war times. Issued with two blankets, it was all a soldier had as a bed to keep warm or without a tent, all they had to provide shelter from the sun, rain or wind. (They were supplemented with a woollen army 'great coat', but soldiers still had to huddle together as keeping warm and dry was a desperate game.) The Lighthorsemen used them under their standard leather saddles for extra padding and in the hospitals they were sometimes the only bedding for the wounded. This blanket belonged to Lois Denshams' father who served in the Australian Army in the First World War, landing at Gallipoli. Since the war, army blankets have come to be regarded as the basic type of blanket -no frills. This blanket was used in the Densham family since that time for camping trips.Grey woollen army blanket with stripes near either ends.world war i, running stitch group, running stitch collection

Child's coverlet made from old blankets and clothing pieces with curtain and blanket backing. Part of the "Wagga" collection. Maker unknown, from the Ballarat area.Child's coverlet made from old blankets and clothing pieces with curtain and blanket backing.quilting history, patchwork history, running stitch group, running stitch collection, quilting - history, patchwork - history

Mr Perkins joined the police force in his early twenties and apart from an 18-month posting in Melbourne, spent the rest of his career serving communities in country Victoria. He was a keen fisherman and hunter- his first love was sitting on the banks of the Murray River with a fishing rod in his hand. Family camping trips were spent by the river where everyone slept on stretchers with several army blankets underneath and a wheat bag wagga on top. The green colour of this wagga is from "Dekkol" a preservative which Mr Perkins used to protect his cotton fishing nets from rotting.Quilt made of two standard size jute wheat bags (a bushel = 150lbs) split and hand bound along seams.It is an example of the basic type of wagga made by shearers, farmers or swagmen. The green colour results from the application of "Dekkol" a preservative used for cotton fishing nets.quilting history, running stitch group, running stitch collection, highlights of the national wool museum: from waggas to the wool quilt prize - exhibition (22/09/2001 - 02/12/2001), perkins, mr percy, quilting - history

The apparently haphazard arrangement of fabric pieces in a quilt made of scraps doesn't always preclude a conscious sense of design. The pieces in this quilt have been carefully arranged according to size and colour, possibly indicating that it was intended to go on a bed as a spread without a cover. Placed in a room that may not have been adorned with many other decorative items, this quilt would have been a colourful and inexpensive home furnishing solution.Patchwork quilt made from large pieces of wool suitings, colourful clothing off cuts and woollen blankets. The quilt has been hand stitched together with stitches that hold the front and back sides together. Either a large single bed size or small double bed size.quilting history, patchwork history, running stitch group, running stitch collection, quilting - history, patchwork - history

'Retsol' brand travel rug produced by the Returned Soldiers and Sailors Mill, Geelong. Retsol rugs were one of the specialities of the RSS Mill. This one was owned by Mrs A.T. Lucas who gave it to Running Stitch.RETSOLtextile production, textile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill running stitch group, retsol rugs, running stitch collection, blankets, lucas, mrs a. t., geelong

Part of the Wagga collection. Maker unknown, c. early 1940s. Possibly from South Australia. This 'travelling rug' was found in an opportunity shop in Campbell's Creek near Castlemaine in Victoria. Unfortunately, nothing is known about the maker but it could be surmised that the quilt had many uses. It is heavy and designed for warmth, lined with a woollen blanket and hessian. Its size suggests usage in an open buggy or car when travelling or as a picnic rug along the way. The sturdy canvas backing is of the type commonly used for awnings, chair coverings or tent cloth. The quality of the green velvet made it ideal for further use as a quilt after the original use as an overcoat or smoking jacket for either a man or a woman. Apart from the original machine stitched seams in the garment, it is sewn together by hand using herringbone stitch. It is not known if this quilt was designed to be used with a cover. However, the arrangement of pieces in the garment to create a shape with straight edges may suggest that this may have been a consideration.Travelling rug made of wool, cotton and green velvet.No. 27 "Travelling rug" Maker Unknown Running Stitch Collection...quilting history, handicrafts, running stitch group, blankets, running stitch collection, highlights of the national wool museum: from waggas to the wool quilt prize - exhibition (22/09/2001 - 02/12/2001), quilting - history