Combing removes the short or broken fibres and draws out the long fibres into even strands suitable for spinning. The process is necessary to produce long and soft strands needed for worsted yarn. These machines remove the short fibres and blend the remaining long fibres together to form the top. The short fibres that are removed, known as the noil, are used in the woollen system. The long fibres are drawn together, ready for spinning. To retain as many of the valuable long fibres as possible, a skilled operator always needed to be on duty in the factory to precisely set the machine. Machine has been completely rebuilt and set up by Nick Sokolov of Comb Research and Development with the help of Bruce Hill and others. NSC Schlumberger Comb PB25L machine No 3953, year of manufacture 1964. A rectilinear version of the Noble Comb, this machine separated long and short fibres. Donated to the National Wool Museum by Port Phillip Wool Processing Pty Ltd in 1993.French comb machine. 1962 Shlumberger and Co, France Model PB 251 NO. 3953.french comb, wool processing, textile industry, factory, machine, comb, restoration, fibres

This cap spinner squeezes the thread under the stationary cap and winds them onto the bobbin. Spinning transforms tops into yarns. The tops are pulled out into fine strands known as rovings. They are then twisted to bind the thread together to give the yarn greater strength. The yarns are wound into differently shaped tools. They are then sent off for weaving and knitting.Cap spinning machine.weaving, knitting, cap spinning, cap spinner, machine, textile industry, factory

This machine uses a series of combs attached to bars that move with increasing speed away from a starting point. This draws-out and aligns the wool fibres to produce a gilled top. The gilling process is also used in other positions along the worsted production line. A gill box draws and combs the fibres prior to spinning. Gold plaque on display with machine until 2018 read: G.H. Mitchell & Son, Adelaide have celebrated 125 Years of involvement with the Australian Wool Processing Industry by contributing the funds necessary to restore The Carding Machine, Noble Comb & The Gill Box.Gill box. Green painted steel.Deutscher / Spinnereimaschinenbau / Ingolstadt / 1963deutscher spinnereimaschinenbau ingolstadt, gilling, gill box, textile industry, wool processing, factory, machine, mills, spinning, fibre, comb

Combing removes the short or broken fibres and draws out the long fibres into even strands suitable for spinning. The process is necessary to produce long and soft strands needed for worsted yarn. These machines remove the short fibres and blend the remaining long fibres together to form the top. The short fibres that are removed, known as the noil, are used in the woollen system. The long fibres are drawn together, ready for spinning. To retain as many of the valuable long fibres as possible, a skilled operator always needed to be on duty in the factory to precisely set the machine. A Nobel Comb separates short (Noils) fibres while also blending long (Tops) fibres together. The long fibres are used for worsted materials while the short fibres are used for woollen fabrics. Woollen materials are soft, bulky and fuzzy, such as a picnic blanket; whereas worsted materials are fine, smooth and crisp, such as a suit jacket. The Valley Worsted Mills in Geelong, now the Little Creatures Brewery, ran 12 noble combs up until 1981. Gold plaque on display with machine until 2018 read: G.H. Mitchell & Son, Adelaide have celebrated 125 Years of involvement with the Australian Wool Processing Industry by contributing the funds necessary to restore The Carding Machine, Noble Comb & The Gill Box.Noble Comb with plates - 'Prince Smith & Sons, Burlington Shed, Keishley' (One plate located on each gear box). 'Prince Smith & Sons, Burlington Shed, Keishley' (One plate located on each gear box).wool manufacturing, noble comb, textile industry, geelong, little creatures brewery, valley worsted mills, fibres, wool, factory

Any faults in the final product can be repaired by mending. Prior to more advanced machinery, fabric was draped over a mending table and carefully inspected for faults. Quick eyes and nimble fingers were needed. Repairing faults was a highly skilled manual operation. Any knot or thickness had to be removed without affecting the quality of the fabric and mending had to be invisible. In the 1930s to make the day pass faster, popular records were played to the factory workers in the mending room. The top of the table is propped up to make it a well-lit surface over which bolts of fabric were unrolled to check for faults. Menders repaired them with invisible hand stitching. Each weaver stitched a coloured thread in the selvage to show the start of their shift, therefore if mistakes were found the company could easily find who was responsible. This table was used by Gail Morris in teh 1960s. Large wooden table with tilted top. mending table, wool processing, fabric, textile industry

Sign used at Foster Valley Mill.Metal enamel toilet sign with black lettering on a white background.NOTICE. / "CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO / GODLINESS." LEAVE / THIS LAVATORY / AS YOU WOULD WISH TO FIND IT / VIC. ENL. WORKS GEELONG.valley worsted mill, foster valley mill pty ltd, sign, toilets, notice, manufacturing, factories, textile industry, workplace

Taken from Collins Mill around 1984.Painted rectangular sheet metal sign reads "SHORT Mule Weft Bobbins ONLY". The sign is painted on one side and has a white background with a green strip around border.SHORT(red paint) Mule Weft Bobbins (black paint) ONLY (red paint)collins mill, signs, textile industry, wool, bobbins, weft

Knitted fabric is made with a single yarn or sets of yarns moving in only one direction. Whether done by hand or by machine, the process is the same. The knitting needle loops the yarn through itself to make a chain of stitches. These chains, or rows, are connected to produce the knitted cloth. There are two types of commercial knitting machine. A flat-bed has its needles, one for each loop, arranged in a straight line to produce a flat fabric. A circular machine has its needles arranged on a rotating circle. The cloth forms as a tube which can be made into seamless clothing. Griswold bench-type sock knitting machine hand operated by turning the handle.sock knitting machine, textile industry, wool, fashion, clothing

Blades were used for cutting cloth, and weights were used on a weaving loom.Seven metal blades, each having one end square shaped, tapering to narrower end which has metal handle attached. Five metal weights, cylindrical. One has hooked metal pieces attached to its top.Wording: DA 203;Method: Cast;Location: Bottom of one weight Wording: 573;Method: Cast;Location: Bottom of one weightweaving, textile, machinery, textile industry, blades, weights

Used for wool handling.Four cylindrical cane baskets, frayed around top and base. Traces of paint on all baskets.wool processing, basket, textile industry

"From Galleons Reach 1850-1936". Printed in England by Charley & Pickersgill Ltd of Leeds, and describes in words and drawings the machines built by Tomlinsons (Rochdale) Ltd., Soho Works, Rochdale, England. These include raising machines for woollen fabrics.textile industry, tomlinsons (rochdale) ltd

"Textile Advisory Panel's report no. 2 - wool" - Commonwealth of Australia, 1944. This report was produced by the Textile Advisory Panel under the aegis of the Ministry for Post-War Reconstruction and examines the future of wool in Australia in terms of threats and opportunities and makes recommendations re: future research, expenditure etc. Includes the Prime Minister's statement on Wool Research 1944, and a photograph of what is believed to be, a gown in the NWM Collection [w5385]Photograph from C of A: Ministry of Post War Construction Report c1945 "Wool"post-war reconstruction, wool growing, textile industry, wool research, world war ii, sheep diseases, sheep blowfly strike, textile advisory panel csiro, wool - research, sheep - diseases, sheep - blowfly strike

Scouring is the process that removes wool wax and other unwanted products from wool. Wool is washed in a hot detergent solution. It moves through a series of scouring bowls and is then rinsed and dried. Careful handling and washing preserves the strength and softness of wool. If the wool contains lots of seeds and other vegetable matter, it must be cabonized. This means it is treated with a solution of sulpheric acid and then baked at high temperature to remove impurities. The disused scouring water left-over from this process was often let drain into rivers and watercourses causing pollution. Many of Geelong's wool scours along the Barwon River were closed due to environmental damage. The race system on this bowl is not the original it has been modified with a variation of the harrow system. Used at E.P. Robinson South Geelong from c.1890-1970.Scouring bowl.J. Dyson & Sons Pty Ltd, Geelongsouring bowl, j dyson & sons, geelong, wool processing, e. p. robinson, textile industry, factory, mill

Used at Foster Valley Mills.Kidney-shaped plastic textile container with lacing on joins.foster valley mills, textile industry, loom, weaving, container, wool

This image shows members of the International Wool Secretariat, including Stuart Ascough, at the Chernihiv Worsted and Cloth Mill in the Ukraine. Part of a collection of books, manuals, photographs, letters and clothing relating to the working life of Stuart Ascough. Stuart's career in the wool industry spanned over 43 years from 1960 to 2003 in various roles including Topmaking Plant Manager at Courtaulds Ltd. in Spennymore, U.K., Operations Manager at Port Phillip Mills in Williamstown Victoria, Marketing Executive, Early Stage Wool Processing at the International Wool Secretariat Melbourne, Australia and General Manager of Victoria Wool Processors Pty. Ltd. in Laverton North, Victoria. Throughout his career Stuart travelled extensively, and in the 1990s worked at many topmaking mills in China on quality improvement projects. He also provided technical advice and training at mills in India, Ukraine, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Latvia, Byelorussia and other parts of Europe and Asia.Image depicting five men holding guitars in an indoor setting.stuart ascough, international wool secretariat, topmaking, career, wool industry, training, technical advice, mills, ukraine, textile industry, chernihov, guitars

This image shows the team from the topmaking section at the Chernihiv Worsted and Cloth Mill in the Ukraine. Part of a collection of books, manuals, photographs, letters and clothing relating to the working life of Stuart Ascough. Stuart's career in the wool industry spanned over 43 years from 1960 to 2003 in various roles including Topmaking Plant Manager at Courtaulds Ltd. in Spennymore, U.K., Operations Manager at Port Phillip Mills in Williamstown Victoria, Marketing Executive, Early Stage Wool Processing at the International Wool Secretariat Melbourne, Australia and General Manager of Victoria Wool Processors Pty. Ltd. in Laverton North, Victoria. Throughout his career Stuart travelled extensively, and in the 1990s worked at many topmaking mills in China on quality improvement projects. He also provided technical advice and training at mills in India, Ukraine, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Latvia, Byelorussia and other parts of Europe and Asia.Image depicting four men and two women seated and standing around a table with coffee cups.stuart ascough, international wool secretariat, topmaking, career, wool industry, training, technical advice, mills, ukraine, textile industry, chernihov

This image shows members of the International Wool Secretariat team, including Stuart Ascough, with Ukrainian soldiers in Kyiv, Ukraine. Part of a collection of books, manuals, photographs, letters and clothing relating to the working life of Stuart Ascough. Stuart's career in the wool industry spanned over 43 years from 1960 to 2003 in various roles including Topmaking Plant Manager at Courtaulds Ltd. in Spennymore, U.K., Operations Manager at Port Phillip Mills in Williamstown Victoria, Marketing Executive, Early Stage Wool Processing at the International Wool Secretariat Melbourne, Australia and General Manager of Victoria Wool Processors Pty. Ltd. in Laverton North, Victoria. Throughout his career Stuart travelled extensively, and in the 1990s worked at many topmaking mills in China on quality improvement projects. He also provided technical advice and training at mills in India, Ukraine, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Latvia, Byelorussia and other parts of Europe and Asia.Image depicting a group of men, most in military uniform, standing in front of a white building with green lattice.stuart ascough, international wool secretariat, topmaking, career, wool industry, training, technical advice, mills, ukraine, textile industry, kyiv, soldiers

This image shows members of the International Wool Secretariat team, including Stuart Ascough, with Ukrainian soldiers in Kyiv, Ukraine. Part of a collection of books, manuals, photographs, letters and clothing relating to the working life of Stuart Ascough. Stuart's career in the wool industry spanned over 43 years from 1960 to 2003 in various roles including Topmaking Plant Manager at Courtaulds Ltd. in Spennymore, U.K., Operations Manager at Port Phillip Mills in Williamstown Victoria, Marketing Executive, Early Stage Wool Processing at the International Wool Secretariat Melbourne, Australia and General Manager of Victoria Wool Processors Pty. Ltd. in Laverton North, Victoria. Throughout his career Stuart travelled extensively, and in the 1990s worked at many topmaking mills in China on quality improvement projects. He also provided technical advice and training at mills in India, Ukraine, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Latvia, Byelorussia and other parts of Europe and Asia.Image depicting a group of men, most in military uniform, standing in front of a white building with green lattice.stuart ascough, international wool secretariat, topmaking, career, wool industry, training, technical advice, mills, ukraine, textile industry, kyiv, soldiers

Four page fold out booklet containing coloured fabric samples and printed text. front: [printed] Fashion Shades / Autumn 1933. / SANDOZfabric samples, textile industry, fashion, sandoz, switzerland, autumn

One of fifty one photographs originally in a photo album found in the National Wool Museum’s office. The album was water damaged and the images were removed for conservation. The images follow the process of wool. Beginning in a sheep paddock and finishing as a folded fabric. It includes all the steps in between in this process, including shearing, transporting, selling, washing and the many different steps in the process of turning a single thread of wool into fabric.Black and white image showing a man standing in front of a truck loaded with wool bales. The bales are being transported from Boorowa to Sydney.AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL PUBLICITY / ASSOCIATION / FLINDERS STREET RAILWAY BUILDING, / MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA / W40. Seventy bales of Wool going by motor vehicle from Boorowa to / Sydney.wool industry, working life, women, boonoke station, farming, sheep farming, agriculture, sheep stations, transport, wool processing, shearing, textile industry, wool

One of fifty one photographs originally in a photo album found in the National Wool Museum’s office. The album was water damaged and the images were removed for conservation. The images follow the process of wool. Beginning in a sheep paddock and finishing as a folded fabric. It includes all the steps in between in this process, including shearing, transporting, selling, washing and the many different steps in the process of turning a single thread of wool into fabric.Black and white image showing two men loading wool bales onto a motor transport vehicle.AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL PUBLICITY / ASSOCIATION / FLINDERS STREET RAILWAY BUILDING, / MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA / W68 / W68. Loading wool bales on to / a motor transport.wool industry, working life, women, boonoke station, farming, sheep farming, agriculture, sheep stations, transport, wool processing, shearing, textile industry, wool

One of fifty one photographs originally in a photo album found in the National Wool Museum’s office. The album was water damaged and the images were removed for conservation. The images follow the process of wool. Beginning in a sheep paddock and finishing as a folded fabric. It includes all the steps in between in this process, including shearing, transporting, selling, washing and the many different steps in the process of turning a single thread of wool into fabric.Black and white image showing a man with a wool bale on a trolley.AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL PUBLICITY / ASSOCIATION / FLINDERS STREET RAILWAY BUILDING, / MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA / W8 / W8. Wheeling away for despatch.wool industry, working life, women, boonoke station, farming, sheep farming, agriculture, sheep stations, transport, wool processing, shearing, textile industry, wool

One of fifty one photographs originally in a photo album found in the National Wool Museum’s office. The album was water damaged and the images were removed for conservation. The images follow the process of wool. Beginning in a sheep paddock and finishing as a folded fabric. It includes all the steps in between in this process, including shearing, transporting, selling, washing and the many different steps in the process of turning a single thread of wool into fabric.Black and white image showing interior view of wool bales on display.AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL PUBLICITY / ASSOCIATION / FLINDERS STREET RAILWAY BUILDING, / MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA / W1 / W1. Wool displayed.wool industry, working life, women, boonoke station, farming, sheep farming, agriculture, sheep stations, transport, wool processing, shearing, textile industry, wool

One of fifty one photographs originally in a photo album found in the National Wool Museum’s office. The album was water damaged and the images were removed for conservation. The images follow the process of wool. Beginning in a sheep paddock and finishing as a folded fabric. It includes all the steps in between in this process, including shearing, transporting, selling, washing and the many different steps in the process of turning a single thread of wool into fabric.Black and white image showing two men weighing a bale of wool.AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL PUBLICITY / ASSOCIATION / FLINDERS STREET RAILWAY BUILDING, / MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA / W5 / W5. Weighing bales.wool industry, working life, women, boonoke station, farming, sheep farming, agriculture, sheep stations, transport, wool processing, shearing, textile industry, wool

One of fifty one photographs originally in a photo album found in the National Wool Museum’s office. The album was water damaged and the images were removed for conservation. The images follow the process of wool. Beginning in a sheep paddock and finishing as a folded fabric. It includes all the steps in between in this process, including shearing, transporting, selling, washing and the many different steps in the process of turning a single thread of wool into fabric.Black and white image showing bales of wool stored in the hold of a ship. Three men are standing amongst the bales.AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL PUBLICITY / ASSOCIATION / FLINDERS STREET RAILWAY BUILDING, / MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA / W42. Looking down into the hold of a / ship where the bales are stored / for transport overseas.wool industry, working life, women, boonoke station, farming, sheep farming, agriculture, sheep stations, transport, wool processing, shearing, textile industry, wool

One of fifty one photographs originally in a photo album found in the National Wool Museum’s office. The album was water damaged and the images were removed for conservation. The images follow the process of wool. Beginning in a sheep paddock and finishing as a folded fabric. It includes all the steps in between in this process, including shearing, transporting, selling, washing and the many different steps in the process of turning a single thread of wool into fabric.Black and white image showing bales of wool being loaded onto a ship.AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL PUBLICITY / ASSOCIATION / FLINDERS STREET RAILWAY BUILDING, / MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA / W41 Loading bales of wool on to / a ship for transport overseas.wool industry, working life, women, boonoke station, farming, sheep farming, agriculture, sheep stations, transport, wool processing, shearing, textile industry, wool

One of fifty one photographs originally in a photo album found in the National Wool Museum’s office. The album was water damaged and the images were removed for conservation. The images follow the process of wool. Beginning in a sheep paddock and finishing as a folded fabric. It includes all the steps in between in this process, including shearing, transporting, selling, washing and the many different steps in the process of turning a single thread of wool into fabric.Black and white image showing detail view of a carding machine.AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL PUBLICITY / ASSOCIATION / FLINDERS STREET RAILWAY BUILDING, / MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA / W13 / W13. Close-up of Carding.wool industry, working life, women, boonoke station, farming, sheep farming, agriculture, sheep stations, transport, wool processing, shearing, textile industry, wool

One of fifty one photographs originally in a photo album found in the National Wool Museum’s office. The album was water damaged and the images were removed for conservation. The images follow the process of wool. Beginning in a sheep paddock and finishing as a folded fabric. It includes all the steps in between in this process, including shearing, transporting, selling, washing and the many different steps in the process of turning a single thread of wool into fabric.Black and white image showing bales of wool in storage.AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL PUBLICITY / ASSOCIATION / FLINDERS STREET RAILWAY BUILDING, / MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA / W6 / W6. Bulk storage.wool industry, working life, women, boonoke station, farming, sheep farming, agriculture, sheep stations, transport, wool processing, shearing, textile industry, wool

One of fifty one photographs originally in a photo album found in the National Wool Museum’s office. The album was water damaged and the images were removed for conservation. The images follow the process of wool. Beginning in a sheep paddock and finishing as a folded fabric. It includes all the steps in between in this process, including shearing, transporting, selling, washing and the many different steps in the process of turning a single thread of wool into fabric.Black and white image showing a carding machine.AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL PUBLICITY / ASSOCIATION / FLINDERS STREET RAILWAY BUILDING, / MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA / W14 / W14, Carding Machine.wool industry, working life, women, boonoke station, farming, sheep farming, agriculture, sheep stations, transport, wool processing, shearing, textile industry, wool

One of fifty one photographs originally in a photo album found in the National Wool Museum’s office. The album was water damaged and the images were removed for conservation. The images follow the process of wool. Beginning in a sheep paddock and finishing as a folded fabric. It includes all the steps in between in this process, including shearing, transporting, selling, washing and the many different steps in the process of turning a single thread of wool into fabric.Black and white image showing a carding machine.W38 / Woollen Cardingwool industry, working life, women, boonoke station, farming, sheep farming, agriculture, sheep stations, transport, wool processing, shearing, textile industry, wool