Late 1800'sClothing. Squared neckline, long beaded sleeves, finished with a 6 cm ribbon edged frill. Sleeves are beaded in bow motifs, which are repeated on the back and front panels of the bodice. Lower edge has a peak at centre front, and is finished with a 3 cm black velvet band. Bodice is lined with black polished cotton. Front opening is fastened with ten metal hooks and eyes - opening alternately from left to right. A 3 cm wide strong cotton tape is stitched to the centre back of the bodice, passing around the waist, and fastening at centre front with one metal hook and eye. This band is 59 cms long.costume, female, black beaded bodice with long sleeves

Clothing. Beautiful cream, floral, lace - probably linen, 10 cms deep. Each of the four layers of floral lace is overlapping a 3 cm wide, permanently pleated, band of cream silk, which is edged with a narrow 5 mm band of black velvet. The linen lace has a scalloped lower edge alternating five circles .8 cm diameter and four circles 1.2 cm - this edging forms the scalloped effect. Flowing scrolls and leaves fill in between the flowers. Presumably this four frill flounce has been removed from another garment to be recycled.costume, female, four frill layered garment trim

Clothing. Beautiful deep cream silk bodice, fully lined with cream tulle/net. Elbow length sleeves have a semi-circle of embroidered silk, and an embroidered tulle ''flounce'', edged with cream cord - 17 cms long. The bodice has seven pin-tucks, angled from the shoulder to the waistline on each side of the front and back. Between the pin-tucks at centre front panel is an extensive cream silk, floral embroidery. A rounded neckline at front and back, is in-filled with embroidered tulle - small 1 cm diameter flowers, in a 3 cm diameter circle, defined by 12 small (3mm) embroidered circles. The tulle infill extends to a 7 cm high stand-up collar-supported by seven plastic ''bones''. The collar also features the same, circular, floral embroidery, and is also edged at the throat with cream cording. The bodice while in good condition, has been cut at the hemline, and a 10.5 cm strip of fabric has been added but unfinished. 18 metal hooks, and hand-stitched loops fasten the back of the bodice. Sleeves are an extension of the bodice.costume, female, cream silk and tulle bodice

Clothing. High stand-up embroidered net collar-close fitting to the neck, and fastening at the back with now 4 metal hooks and loops (one hook missing) and edged at top and bottom with tiny black beads. Five metal ''curved wires'' 7 cm long, are spaced around the up right ''collar'' (to hold in place). The embroidered net forms a V shaped panel at the centre front, and has 15 silk covered oval buttons .8 cm long, from throat to lower bodice. This panel is bordered by embroidered and beaded braid, 7 cm wide and giving a cross-over effect. Cotton tape inside waist 66 cm long fastens with two metal hooks and eyes.Under this lace cross-over, the bodice is shirred and pleated, to give fullness for movement. Pleats are ''caught-in'' at the waistline. An elbow length over-lay of sheer silk fabric, edged with the beaded braid. The sleeves are silk fabric to the elbow, and then narrow in to a three hook plackett at the wrist. This lower sleeve with a 2.5 cm lace frill, and a spotted tulle fabric, and ''dotted'' at the upper side with a double row of tiny black beads. A false tucked effect at opprox knee level at back of skirt. Back hemline extends to a small ''train''. Hemline is heavily weighted.costume, female, full length long sleeved black dress

Clothing. Curved ''cup-shape'' bodice, unlined, shirred slightly at the centre, and measuring 28 cm deep, from shoulder strap to midriff. A V shaped panel is inserted into the back bodice - 37 cm x 13.5 cm at the top to give a filled effect. Eight covered buttons and loops form the closure at the top of this panel (one button missing). A triangular shape is also sewn into the lower skirt to give flair.costume, female, slim black velvet evening gown

Clothing. Cream silk shawl, with elaborate silk floral embroidery at each end, and finished with a 12 cm deep. silk hand-knotted fringe at each end. Edges are hand-rolled and hand- stitched. Single floral embroideries are spaced across the body of the shawl, in rows of three embroideries.costume, female, silk embroidered shawl

Clothing. Waist band 10 cms deep at side seams, dipping to a 16cm peak at centre front, and 15 cm deep at centre back. A plackett on the left hand side fastens with two metal press-studs, and a metal hook (probably a metal or cotton stitched eye, but this area has been damaged, and no eye is visible). Elastic now perished, in casing at lower leg. An 8 cm long dart from the waistband lower edge, on the right hand side seam.costume, female, silk bloomers

Clothing. Full length black silk-satin skirt, with a 4-pleat cummerbund waist sash - 10 cms deep. Two x 10 cm wide ''falls'' of satin, angled at the lower edge fall from the plackett left side, and are 51 cm long and 63 cm long at their peak. Two panels of the skirt fabric, 81 cm long and 23 cm wide are attached from the waistline at the centre front and centre back. Each panel has a beaded floral motif, 13 cmx 9.5 cm beaded with jet beads.costume, female, black silk skirt with beaded trim

Clothing. Black, crushed velvet cape with a slightly peaked turn back collar, featuring a 6 cm wide ruched panel at each side front collar. Two circular diamente buttons 2.50 cm diameter fasten the front of the circular 15 cm deep yoke. Two bound button holes fasten the buttons at the throat.costume, female, 3/4 length black velvet evening cape

Clothing. Extremely fine linen petticoat, rounded neckline with a blue satin ribbon insertion, threaded through a lace insertion. This ribbon is now badly aged and shedding and splitting. A plackett at the centre back conceals six tiny 9mm covered buttons, and machine (?) stitched button holes. The neckline is outlined with three bands of cotton lace - the first band is 4.5 cm wide, and has a 'shamrock' leaf design. The middle band is 1.5 cm wide, and has a 'twisted' design, which holds the blue ribbon insertion. The outer row is 2.5 cm wide and has a scalloped edging.costume, female, lace trimmed fine linen petticoat

Clothing. Silk-satin brocade cape with 7 cm high stand-up collar. Rounded at the hipline, and curved upward toward the centre fronts, where two 6 cm wide cream ribbon bows are attached. The hemline then falls to a steep 16 cm deep peak at the centre fronts. Four metal hooks and stitch covered metal eyelets form the closure from the high collar to the bustline. Two silk fabric loops on the inside of the opening-19 cms long, and 6.5 cm wide allow the arms to be free, and the cape to remain firmly fitted. The cape is padded and stitched internally in a diamond-shaped pattern. The back of the cape is curved and fitted at the waistline and the centre back. A large satin bow is attached 12 cm above the hemline, and sits over two box pleats 12 cm long, from waistline to the hemline.costume, female, silk cream brocade short cape

Clothing. Cream polished cotton, full length half slip petticoat. Plackett at the back, fastens with two metal hooks, and hand-stitched loops. The back features a 'crinolette', where two rows of tapes are gathered in to give volume to the back of the garment. As the crinoline started to subside at the end of the 1860's. The centre front panel features 6 angled bands of lace 4.5 cm wide and angled to form a V shape. (1) A 9.5 cm band of pleated linen gauze-like fabric, edged with a 5 cm band of linen lace. (2) A 15 cm double layered frill-top layer 2 cm wide silk like pleats, lined with linen muslin type fabric, and an under frill of polished cotton, pleated in one cm wide knife pleats. The top frill is of fine cream cotton lace. At the top edge is a 3.5 cm wide band of floral cotton lace, and adjoined at the lower edge with a 9 cm deep pleated trim of exquisite cotton "floral and swirls" lace. The top frill is 42 cm wide, and extends over the centre front panel only. A cotton covered " stiffening- possibly bamboo or whale bone, extends 31.5 cm ;long at the crinolette. An unusual 'pocket like bag' is sewn into the right side seam 14 cm below the waist. This has rounded corners, and is 8 cm wide at the top, 17.5 cm wide at the lower edge, which is then rounded slightly. Overall length of the 'pocket' is 38 cms.costume, female, crinolette full length half slip

Cream silk, woven in a jacquard style, featuring a floral design. Fully lined with cream silk satin. A 4cm deep, stand-up mandarin style collar. Eight metal hook and eyes fasten the front in a concealed way. Heavy cording, finished with pearl trimmed tassels,a double inverted pleat, 22cm long at the centre back hemline. Three darts at shoulders giving a 'sleeve-like' shape. Lower edges of which are elaborately corded. A 12cm'slit' at the lower edge seam with the front panel gives more flexibilty to the wearer. Tassel head and decorative 1.5cm ''ball'' are woven in a ''turks head'' style. A 2.5cm wide silk ribbon, attached at centre back, and possibly tied around the waist.A card with the cape is hand written - ''For Historical Soc.if wanted, From M.Bush's Collection. Could have been from Mrs. Mueller's. Gift from Mrs. E.G.JARRETT''costume, female, cream silk evening cape

Peach coloured nylon nightgown made by HANRO Bendigo. Bodice gathered at front onto a plaited band under the bust. On each side of the band three ties (102cm) extend from the ends of the plaited band. Shoulder straps made up of three pieces of nylon tubing attached back and front and plaited over each shoulder. Back of bodice in two pieces. Ankle length A line skirt. Colour at bodice is pale peach colour that darkens as it descends to the hem where it becomes a deep orange colour. Nightie given to donor by her grandmother who received the nightie as a prize at a Hanro meeting. Donor's uncle John Preston, father George Preston and mother Gwen Washington (machinist) all worked at Hanro.HANRO 100% Nylon SW on tag on lower side seamcostume, female, peach coloured nightgown

Black one piece ladies bathers with bra inserts and skirt front. Square neckline. White embroidered chain pattern around neckline and on straps over shoulders.Tag on Inside seam, ''Made in England'' '' All Bri Nylon'' Palmers Swimwear''.costume, female, black one piece bathers

White cotton girl's nightdress with kimono cut short sleeves. Sleeves have 1.2cm casing at hemline with 2.5cm lace trim on edge. U shaped neckline with 2.4cm casing with 2.5cm stand up gathered lace frills. Back section of nightie gathered at centre back where attached to casing on front of night dress is a centre tab of lace (6cm X 10cm) with six vertical pintucks on either side. No openings. Heavyweight cotton fabric.costume, female, white cotton girl's nightdress

Fine white cotton girl's night dress. Yoke at front and back. Full length back opening fastened with tie at neckline. Back yoke has three vertical pintucks on each side of opening. Front yoke has vertical pattern of pintucks and embroidered fabric with horizontal section at waist. Sleeveless nightdress overlays of embroidered fabric attached to sides of yoke to form cap sleeves over shoulders. U shaped neckline has casing with cotton tape tie. Gathered skirt attached below yokes. Finished with French seams. Lower edge of night dress trimmed with embroidered fabric with scalloped edge. Note in box with garment ''The child's nightgown is about 60 years old and was made by Mrs. Antoinette Catling for her eldest daughter''. Undated. Not attached. This is the most probable garment.costume, female, white cotton girl's nightdress

High waisted bodice, with centre front seam, back opening fastened with metal press-studs, and finished on the right side, with ball-shaped pearl buttons sewn in pairs - six groups of two. A placket extends into the skirt at back, and is fastened with metal press-studs. Bodice is gathered onto skirt at waistline, and defined with a 1.5cm wide tape. An 8.5cm wide cotton lace frill is gathered around the high neckline. The wrist-length sleeves are an extension of the bodice and have a 4cm band, and 4cm wide gathered frill at the wrist. The sleeves are shaped from the high waistline, and also at the cuff edge. The skirt has an overlay of fine lace, made up of six X 17cm wide bands of lace, with a scalloped edge. No shoulder seams. Back opening and centre front seam indicate the cutting out layout of fabric. A one cm wide ribbon finishes the neckline, and the lace frill is hand stitched to the ribbon. Some seams are hand neatened. A 2.5cm wide flat bow finishes the back neckline.costume, female, cream satin and lace wedding dress

Long lily-pointed sleeves, fastened at the wrist with six X 0ne cm covered buttons and loops. A firm padded roll 19cm long, and eleven cm circumference sits at the shoulder at top of sleeve. A gathered panel on either side of the neckline forms a sweetheart neckline. Gathering under the bust, and a A shaped centre front panel - with V shape at lower edge-panel 33cm long. Two semi-circular panels 28 X 19cm from side seam to the centre front, and defining the shape of the peaked centre panel. A small inverted pleat comes from th ebottom peak of the centre panel. Skirt is circular and extends into a sweeping train.29 covered buttons with loops extend from the back neckline to the curved join at the hipline of bodice and skirt. A one cm band of fabric has been machine stitched around the hemline, and hand rolled and hand stitched to give weight and finish at the hemline. Two X 2.5cm loops, hand stitched are at the left and right sides, to slip over the fingers to hold the train above the ground.costume, female, cream wedding dress with extended train

Burgundy and cream fine striped cotton, with a woven floral motif one cm in diameter. High 4.5cm stand-up burgundy collar, with a lace overlay. A pleated, and padded cap extends from the underarm seam at the front, over the shoulders, and partway over the back panel. Sleeves tight fitting at wrist, fasten with five buttons and button holes.(Four present on one sleeve, three on other sleeve).A fine burgundy pleated band finishes the sleeve at the wrist. Waistline is V pointed at front and back. At front pleats are stitched down 11-13cm long, then open up to form shaped, folded effect at the bust line. A burgundy yoke sits behind this effect, and extends over the shoulders, and high neckline. Back waistline also extends to a deep V shape at centre back. 18 button holes and 15 buttons fasten the centre back - (three buttons missing).costume, female, burgandy and cream bodice

Very fine black and cream check silk lined in the bodice and sleeves with fine grey silk. Long sleeves are finished with a 4cm deep cuff, trimmed with a double row of cording, and a 1.5cm wide pleated frill. Two black shiny buttons trim the cuff(possibly plastic), which fastens with three press-studs. Waist is defined with one band of corded fabric. Two bands of cording outline the V neckline, which is also finished with a pleat frill. Cording, and three rows of hand - gathering outline a shaped frill at the hemline-alternately 31cm and 46cm deep. Seven black buttons fasten the front of the bodice. A placket extends into the skirt, fastened by four press-studs. Skirt has four knife pleats each side of the centre placket. Four knife pleats at each hemline, and six at centre back. These are all over-stitched with three double rows of stitching in a V shaped design. Hand stitched button holes.costume, female, black and cream silk dress

Full length skirt, with a three-quarter length over-skirt, edged in braided embroidery. Over-skirt is attached at the waistline, with a band of tape, and separates on the left hand side waistline. Stitched to the underskirt at the front, and edged with a .5cm dark olive coloured braid. The braid extends around the hemline of the overskirt in a looped pattern. Fabric has a woven stripe-a narrow stripe of lighter colour, and a .75cm stripe of dark grey edged with tan. Skirt fully lined with brown cotton fabric. Centre back plackett fastens with one large metal hook and eye, and six smaller hooks, and hand made cotton loops. Skirt has matching bodice 11400.744. This two piece outfit - skirt and bodice, was made by Laura's Mother in 1908, and mostly by hand. She wore it also to Mass in 1913. It is made of material called "Resilda''.costume, female, brown striped long skirt

Long sleeved bodice of ''resilda'' fabric. Long sleeves gather into a 9cm deep cuff. Cuff has a 4cm wide band, which is embroidered with a silk braid and floral embroidery in dark olive and a deep cream. A 5cmdeep band of floral cotton lace, in deep cream, trimmed at the edge with the braiding, completes the cuff. The same lace forms a 6cm deep stand-up collar, which is edged in a narrow velvet band of brown velvet. The back and front yoke is edged on the sides, with the same embroidered net as the sleeves. Braiding in a loop design underlines the bib shape, and also decorates the shoulders and upper sleeves. Sleeves are joined at the elbows, and decorated with braid. Bodice is pleated at the lower centre front to from a V shaped fitted waist. Back has a double plackett opening-the inner having ten hook and eye fasteners, the outer having three hooks and three hand made loops (as well as nine hooks and hand made loops on the back lace yoke). This two piece outfit-bodice and skirt, was made by Laura's Mother iv 1908, and mostly by hand. She wore it to Mass in 1913. It was made of material called ''resilda''.costume, female, brown striped bodice with lace trim

Cream coloured taffeta wedding dress. Square yoke at front with spiral bead pattern and tassels of bead across lower edge of yoke. V shaped neckline at back with yoke and tassels. Short sleeves of double layer of net embroidered with flowers. Front and back of bodice of embroidered net. Neckline lined with 10cm cotton lace. Bodice fully lined with cotton fabric. Two vertical side panels of 5cm silk lace from shoulder to waist with triangular shaped tabs (12cm) extending to side seams. 5cm silk lace with 12cm triangular tabs across the waist at back of bodice. Taffeta floor length skirt 5cm lace with 12 cm triangular tabs extends from waist on LHS down to 3cm above hemline and extends across the front in a U shape to side on RHS and then across the back of the skirt in a U shape to the LHS. Triangular insert of embroidered net (45cm at hem) on LHS, from hem to 42 cm above hem. Centre back opening from neckline(25cm) fastened with seven metal hooks and eyes. Satin fabric belt with horizontal pin rtucks fastened with two metal hooks and eyes. Fabric circular buckle (5cm diameter). Lower edge of skirt lined with cotton fabric (14 cm wide). Semi-circular cotton padding stitched under arms.costume, female, cream coloured wedding dress

Clothing. Long pointed sleeves, fastened with one press-stud at the wrist. Full circular skirt, lined with cream, synthetic lace type fabric. Fabric of the gown is a small floral type design,in a corded style, on a fine net backing. Sleeves are not lined. Back upper bodice has a lining in a double thread net. The sweetheart neckline is edged with a fine tulle frill. Bustline panels gathered top and bottom, and joins a peaked midriff panel, 15.5 cm deep at the centre bustline. Skirt is highly gathered to this panel, at the waistline, is a full circle and extends into a small train at the back. A small 23 cm zip on the left side seam.A KEAM Creation, Regd. Melbourne.costume, female ceremonial, ivory corded lace wedding gown

Clothing. Curved headpiece in net, on a wire frame, with an elastic cord to pass round the back of the head, to hold in place. Frame has two scallops, giving the effect of a heart shape. Frame covered in net, and decorated with waxed orange blossoms and buds, and small waxed leaves.costume, female ceremonial, wedding headpiece

Clothing. Tulle veil, with a scalloped edge, outlined with chain stitch silk embroidery. The four corners have elaborate silk, chain-stitch embroidery in a floral design. Petals of two large flowers in each corner are appliquéd silk, also outlined with the chain-stitch embroidery. From a photo supplied by the donor, it would appear that this veil was worn around the shoulders, and extending to the hipline. A very long veil was then worn over the top, and seems to be a similar length as the wedding gown train. (This veil is not in the donation to BHS).costume, female ceremonial, wedding veil

Clothing. All-over beading, means that this is quite a heavy little bag.Rectangular in shape, with rounded corners on the bottom, and diagonally cut at the top corners. The bag has a zipper closure, a small 5 cm long beaded loop, attaches to the zipper for ease of opening and closing. Lined with cream satin, there is an 11 cm long pocket in one side, containing a small mirror (7.5 cm x 5 cms). A small piece of confetti inside may, indicate that this bag was used at Aileen and John's marriage. Beads cover the entire bag - on the front, they are sewn in a swirling looped and floral design.costume, female, pearl beaded clutch bag

Clothing. A length-364 cms long of beautiful cream coloured silk satin ribbon, 4.5 cms wide, and finished with a picot hem stitched edge on each side. Possibly used as a vehicle decoration on the wedding vehicle of Aileen and John.costume, female, length of silk ribbon

Clothing. A cardboard horseshoe shape, covered in 1.3 cm wide cream textured ribbon. Ribbon is wound round the shape and stitched into position at the open ends of the horseshoe. A small sprig of waxed orange blossom, four buds, and two leaves decorate the horseshoe at the top. A 34.5 cms long loop is attached under the orange blossom, to hang from the bride's arm. this loop is fastened with a bow, just above the horse-shoe.costume, female, wedding horse shoe