In 2020 during the period of lockdown due to COVID the National Wool Museum asked their volunteers to make and donate blocks made from a variety of materials found in their homes, for an ISO quilt. The NWM reached out to the patchwork and quilter community to find a local quilter to sew the donated blocks together. The quilt is sewn together and quilted by Judith Oke, 2020-2021. Judith is a local patchwork and quilter and a member of Geelong Patchwork & Quilters Guild. Through the process she was inspired by the tradition of wagga quilts, where bits and pieces are stitched together, sometimes lined with whatever the sewer found available, such as clothing and sacking, to provide warmth. In construction of the finished quilt the challenge was combining 10 inch blocks made from a variety of materials, with uneven sizing. The aim was to combine these very different blocks into a harmonious whole. To this end a light and dark pattern was planned, with the blocks to be sewn onto a blanket. The choice to layer the blocks over each other, rather than sew an even seam was aimed at emphasizing the make do nature of these ISO blocks. Due to the weight of the blanket a decision was made to sew the blocks onto a base before the whole was stitched onto the blanket. The blanket was sourced from NWM donations. The rich, red of the blanket provides a bright, warm background for the colourful squares. Some of the light weight blocks were backed with iron-on interfacing to strengthen them for sewing. The edges of two of the woven squares were blanket stitched with knitting wool. The 10 inch donated blocks/squares were machine sewn to a cotton sheet base, with liberal use of blanket stitching, as the blanket was too heavy to sew the blocks directly onto the blanket. The base with squares was then machine sewn onto the red blanket backing.Various multi coloured and designed patchwork squares sewn onto a red woollen blanket. isolation, covid, quilt, 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."Playing cards featuring Onkaparinga sales mottos and picturesOnkaparinga Pure Wool Blankets/Australia’s Best/Rugs, Blankets, Piece Goods, Men’s and Boy’s Clothing/Made from Pure Wool In White Pink Blue Green And Primrose/The Home Of The Famous Onkaparinga Pure Wool Products/White And Coloured Blankets Give Individuality And Charm/Made In Australiablanket fever, wool, playing cards, advertisements, onkaparinga

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

Two items of newborn clothing dating to 1944. The first item is a dress and the second is a singlet. Both items are made from wool and are in new, unused condition. The clothing was owned by Mrs L. Brawdrup and was donated to the National Wool Museum in 2022 by Lila Gore.Clothing item one is a cream woven dress. It is finished at the sleeves, neck, and hem with a white lace trim. The trim is formed from a thread that has a metallic gleam, presumably cotton. The dress is styled under the neck with a stitched patterned of frills and flowers in the same white metallic thread. The dress gathers under the armpits, similar in style to a dirndl. At the rear, the dress is loosened and fastened by 3 press stud buttons in an opening at the centre. Clothing item two is a cream woven singlet. It is finished at the sleeves, neck, and hem with a white lace trim. The trim is formed from a thread that has a metallic gleam, presumably cotton. The lace is like the dress; however, it is less intricate. baby clothing, 1940s, 1940s baby clothing

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book was produced by the magazine "Womans World" and contains patterns for baby clothes.BABY'S wardrobe / EVERYTHING THE NEW BABY NEEDS / 6D. / LAYETTE / Approved by / Infant Welfare Dept. / (see page 4) / 33 / KNITTEDS / LAYETTES / SHAWLS / PRAM COVERS / FROCKS, Etc. / PUBLISHED / BY / WOMAN'S WORLDknitting handicrafts - history, victoria; department of public health (infant welfare department) woman's world, knitting, handicrafts - history

This card and a number of other knitting books were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War.THE / Lili / KNITTING & CROCHET CARDS / HAND / BAG / SIZE / A MODERNISED CARD SYSTEM FOR / CONVENIENCE. A BIG IMPROVEMENT ON / THE 'PAGE TORN FROM A BOOK' METHOD / DESIGN NO / 39 / PRICE / 4d. / PUBLISHED BY / DEMARET & CO. / 28-30 DERBY ST / COLLINGWOODknitting handicrafts - history, knitting, handicrafts - history

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book contains patterns for baby clothes and was written by Ella Allan who authored numerous patterns books from c.1917 through to the early 1930s.What to Make for / Baby / Designs in Knitting / and Crochet. / Dedicated to everyone who Loves / a Baby. / PART THREE / By ELLA ALLAN / Wholly set up and Printed in Australia by / E.H. GIBBS & SONS, Printers and Publishers, / 19 Niagara Lane, Melbourne.knitting handicrafts - history crochet, allan, ella, knitting, handicrafts - history, crochet

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This booklet dates from the Second World War and was produced by G.J. Coles Ltd. It contains patterns for garments that can be knitted for the armed forces.Knitting Book (front cover) - "Coles present Knitting for the Forces", WWII.COLES / PRESENT / "Knitting / for the Forces" / Containing Complete Knitting / Instructions for ... / 3 PULLOVERS, 1 CARDIGAN, / BALACLAVA, MITTENS, / SOCKS, SCARF, SKULL CAPknitting handicrafts - history world war ii, g.j. coles and co. ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history, world war ii

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This books contains patterns for items that could be knitted for the armed forces. It was produced by the Alexandria Mills in Sydney who made Sun-glo and Sunbeam knitting wools.Knitting Book (front cover) - "Sun-glo Knitting Book series 46", WWII.Sun-glo / Knitting Book / SERIES 46 / 7d. / DESIGN No. / 2421 / PAGE 2knitting handicrafts - history world war ii, alexandria spinning mills pty ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history, world war ii

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book was produced by Paragon and contains patterns for baby clothes.Paragon / KNITTING BOOK / Number 70 / 4 LAYETTES / A SHAWL AND A / REVERSIBLE PRAM COVER / 1'3knitting handicrafts - history, paragon art needlecraft, knitting, handicrafts - history

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book was produced by Paragon and contains patterns for crocheted gloves.Paragon / Crochet / Gloves / BOOK NO 5 / NEEDLEWORK SPECIALISTS / PRICE 1/.crochet handicrafts - history, paragon art needlecraft, crochet, handicrafts - history

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains patterns for women's clothes made in angora wool.Patons / KNITTING BOOK NO. R7 / Specially Requested Designs in / PATONS FUZZY WUZZY and / BERYL ANGORAS / P&B / WOOLS / 1'4d.knitting handicrafts - history, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitted patterns for garments for young boys.Patons KNITTING BOOK NO. 366 / P&B / WOOLS / 1'6d.knitting handicrafts - history, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains patterns in larger sizes for women.Patons / KNITTING BOOK / NO. 443 / LARGE FITTINGS / No. 443 / P&B / WOOLS / PATONS / TOTEM / BEEHIVE 4-PLY / AZALEA / 1'6knitting handicrafts - history, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains patterns for baby clothes.Style / Vol. 8 / A Patons & Baldwins' Publication - 1'4knitting handicrafts - history, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains instructions on how to knit and crochet, as well as patterns.WOOLCRAFT / A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO / KNITTING & CROCHET / PATONS & BALDWINS LTD. / (Incorporated in Great Britain) / MELBOURNE and SYDNEY / 1/- / PUBLISHED WITH ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDknitting handicrafts - history crochet, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history, crochet

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book is English and is number 117 in Leach's Sixpenny Knitting and Handcraft Series. It contains patterns for baby clothes.LEACH'S / MATINEE COATS / AND / BONNETS / IN KNITTING / & CROCHET / 6D. / DAINTY DESIGNS FOR THE MODERN BABY / LEACH'S SIXPENNY KNITTING & HANDCRAFT SERIES No. 117knitting handicrafts - history crochet, leach's publications ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history, crochet

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book is part of a series and is called "The Lux Book 1937". It contains numerous knitting patterns.The / LUX / BOOK / KNITTING / FOR 1937knitting handicrafts - history crochet, lux, knitting, handicrafts - history, crochet

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book is part of a series and is called "The Lux Book 1941". It contains numerous knitting patterns.The / LUX BOOK / 1941knitting handicrafts - history, lux, knitting, handicrafts - history

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book was produced by Madame Weigel Pty Ltd contains patterns for tea cosies and egg cosies and other small knitted and crocheted novelties.SERIES No. 1. / COSIES / AFGHANS / Cushions / Wool / Novelties / Price / 6 1/2d. / MADAME WEIGEL / Pty. / Ltd. / FASHION DESIGNERS AND PUBLISHERSS / PAPER PATTERN MANUFACTURERS / 229-233 LENNOX ST. RICHMOND, VICknitting handicrafts - history crochet, madame weigel pty ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history, crochet

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book is one of five issues of "Madame Weigel's Journal of Fashion" owned by Mrs Boyle's family.Fashion and craft magazine, paper cover printed in green and black with four drawings of jumpers/jackets and gloves being modelled. Contents include patterns for sewn, knitted and crocheted clothes, articles re: cooking, gardening, fashion and general interest, and a loose pattern in four pieces made from tissue paper.Registered at the General Post Office Melbourne, for transmission by post as a Newspaper. / 4D / Published / Monthly. / MADAME / WEIGEL'S / JOURNAL OF FASHION / A Delightful Home Journal / Vol. LVII, No. 681. / NOV. 2, 1936. / TINY JACKET, IN KNITTING. /knitting handicrafts - history crochet fashion, madame weigel pty ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history, crochet, fashion

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book is a monthly journal of fashion, craft and general interest published by Madame Weigel's Pty Ltd.Registered at the General Post Office Melbourne, for transmission by post as a Newspaper. / 4D / Published / Monthly. / MADAME / WEIGEL'S / JOURNAL OF FASHION / A Delightful Home Journal / Vol. LVII., No. 682. / DEC. 1, 1936. / 57th. Year of Publication.knitting handicrafts - history crochet fashion, madame weigel pty ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history, crochet, fashion

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book is a monthly journal of fashion and patterns produced by Madame Weigel's Pty Ltd in Melbourne.Registered at the General Post Office Melbourne, for transmission by post as a Newspaper. / 4D / Published / Monthly. / MADAME / WEIGEL'S / JOURNAL OF FASHION / A Delightful Home Journal / Vol. LVII., No. 683. / JAN. 1, 1937. / 57th Year of Publication. /knitting handicrafts - history crochet fashion, madame weigel pty ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history, crochet, fashion

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book is a journal of fashion and general interest that was produced monthly by Madame Weigel's Pty Ltd.Registered at the General Post Office Melbourne, for transmission by post as a Newspaper. / 4D / Published / Monthly. / MADAME / WEIGEL'S / JOURNAL OF FASHION / A Delightful Home Journal / Vol. LVII., No. 684. / FEB. 1, 1937. / Free / Pattern / GIRL'S / Mknitting handicrafts - history crochet fashion, madame weigel pty ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history, crochet, fashion

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book is a monthly journal of fashion published by Madame Weigel's Pty Ltd.Registered at the General Post Office Melbourne, for transmission by post as a Newspaper. / 4D / Published / Monthly. / MADAME / WEIGEL'S / JOURNAL OF FASHION / A Delightful Home Journal / Vol. LVIII., No. 686. / APRIL 1, 1937. / Illustrated at Right:- /knitting handicrafts - history fashion crochet, madame weigel pty ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history, fashion, crochet

Suit pants, cream, natural, wool. Part of the three piece suit which set the "Sheep to suit" record by Melbourne College of Textiles in 1982Part of the 'Sheep to Suit' event outfit.A product of the Clothing School, MELBOURNE COLLEGE OF TEXTILES/ PURE WOOLtextile production fashion shearing weaving sewing, melbourne college of textiles australian wool corporation sunbeam corporation limited, spinning, highlights of the national wool museum: from sheep to suit - exhibition (22/09/2001 - 02/12/2001), textile production, fashion, shearing, weaving, sewing

Suit jacket, cream, natural, wool and cream silk lining. Part of the three piece suit which set the "Sheep to suit" record by Melbourne College of Textiles in 1982Part of the 'Sheep to Suit' event outfit.A product of the Clothing School, MELBOURNE COLLEGE OF TEXTILES/ PURE WOOLtextile production fashion shearing weaving sewing, melbourne college of textiles australian wool corporation sunbeam corporation limited, spinning, highlights of the national wool museum: from sheep to suit - exhibition (22/09/2001 - 02/12/2001), textile production, fashion, shearing, weaving, sewing

Poster promoting clothing made from Australian woolnaturally warm/ you can trust the wool/ that wears the WOOLMARKwool marketing

Made by Sylvia Maidment 1947-48.Cream knitted bed jacket. Ends of sleeves, bottom edges and horizontal areas in front and back, patterned. Seven cream buttons down the front. Part of baby set.knitting, maidment, mr ian maidment, ms sylvia, clothing, baby

Envelope produced by the Stamina Clothing Company, manufacturers of work clothes, who used Crusader brand cloth produced by the Australian Woollen Mills complex at Marrickville, NSW. It was made to house a set of 16 information cards on the manufacturing processes in a woollen mill. They were issued as give aways and could be found in the pockets of Stamina brand clothing.Envelope for 16 information cards (4350-4365) which were promotional give aways from Crusader Mills, c.1945-1955.Crusader / With the good wishes of the / makers of Crusader Clothaustralian woollen mills pty ltd stamina clothing company