this item was made to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth !! in 1953. In June 1953 , Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and Pakistan, and became the Head of the Commonwealth. Many souvenirs were made to mark this occasion. Some were unique and hand-made. The main sources for crochet and other needlework designs available to women were in journals, magazines and pattern books.This milk jug cover reflects an important pastime for Australian women of the late 19th to mid 20th century. Women's focus was the home and its decoration was important. Embroidery and crochet work was an affordable way to personalise and add aesthetic value, and examples of embroidered and crocheted pieces could be found in most Australian homes, decorating or protecting furniture, floors and walls, and keeping flies and insects away from food. It is also a tangible souvenir of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth 11.A rectangular jug cover hand crocheted in white thread. It has blue and red beads sewn into the edges. the design is "JUNE" above a crown with "E 11 R 1953" below the crown.

A group of widows gathered at Legacy House doing needlework and craft. It is Marion Scammell (see also article in the Answer 1996 at 00889). This photo was published in The Answer in January 1997. Shows one of many activities that the widows were involved in. There were weekly workshops for craft and others for painting. The tapestry instructor was Nancy Crooks. The timetable for activities was published in The Answer each month. These regular meetings and workshops provided important opportunities for widows to meet and be active.A record of the type of activities Legacy provided as a social outlet for widows. Colour photo of widows working on craft projects at Legacy House.Printing on the back "

Tatting is a form of knotted lace making using thread and a small shuttle. Twisted threads are tied around or through small, pointed shuttles that can be made of bone, mother of pearl, tortoise shell, steel or plastic. This produces a stable, strong lace using simple knots of two half hitches to make rings and chains embellished with picots. The origins of tatting are not clear but early versions of decorative knotting were used by the Egyptians on their ceremonial dress. Tatting also has elements of fishermen's net making techniques and the decorative knotting that was practiced by aristocratic women from the 15th century. Tatting, as we know it today, emerged in the first half of the 19th century. The new availability of mercerised thread from 1835 encouraged a burgeoning of lace crafts of all sorts. It was known in Italy as "occhi" and in France as "la frivolite". It looks fragile but is both strong and durable. An article in a column named "Wives and Daughters" published in the Star newspaper in May 1910 describes the durability of tatting lace - "there is edging and insertion still in existence that have outworn two sets of pillow slips." In the 19th century and well into the 20th century, tatting was used like crochet and knitted lace for decorative edgings, collars, doylies, tray cloths etc. At first, different tatting patterns were passed along by word of mouth from person to person, however in time, patterns regularly appeared in newspapers and magazines well into the 1950's. Paragon knitting, crochet and tatting books have been distributed throughout Australia since the 1930's, originally by "Paragon Art Needlework Pty Ltd" of Sydney, N.S.W. From 1946 these books were designed and printed in Australia from patterns provided by British and Australian thread companies. Consequently these patterns may also appear in similar British and American publications. Paragon Book No. 104 is an instruction book designed for the "beginner" whilst Paragon book No. 105 is designed for the more experienced tatter. The layout of these books was typical of the 1940s period when paper was in short supply. Most of the pattern books were approximately 18 cms wide by 24 cms high and some were smaller at about 13cm by 21 cms. The type used was small (about four lines of text per centimetre) which was difficult to read.This item is an excellent example of a needle work pattern book available to women in the 1940's in Australia.A soft covered 16 page instruction book with black and white photographs and detailed instructions explaining how to tat and eight tatting projects including how to make a collar and handkerchief edgings, published by Paragon Art Needlecraft of Sydney.Front cover - "PARAGON BOOK NO. 104" "PRICE 1/3" "Learn to/ TAT' Back Cover - "36/D5 E/A DO2" - handwritten in pencil flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, tatting, tatting pattern book, tatting instructions, handicraft, needlework, shuttle, tatting shuttle, paragon needlecraft, paragon craft book

Tatting is a form of knotted lace making using thread and a small shuttle. Twisted threads are tied around or through small, pointed shuttles that can be made of bone, mother of pearl, tortoise shell, steel or plastic. This produces a stable, strong lace using simple knots of two half hitches to make rings and chains embellished with picots. The origins of tatting are not clear but early versions of decorative knotting were used by the Egyptians on their ceremonial dress. Tatting also has elements of fishermen's net making techniques and the decorative knotting that was practiced by aristocratic women from the 15th century. Tatting, as we know it today, emerged in the first half of the 19th century. The new availability of mercerised thread from 1835 encouraged a burgeoning of lace crafts of all sorts. It was known in Italy as "occhi" and in France as "la frivolite". Tatting looks fragile but is both strong and durable. An article in a column named "Wives and Daughters" published in the Star newspaper in May 1910 describes the durability of tatting lace - "there is edging and insertion still in existence that have outworn two sets of pillow slips." In the 19th century and well into the 20th century, tatting was used like crochet and knitted lace for decorative edgings, collars, doilies, tray cloths etc. At first, different tatting patterns were passed along by word of mouth from person to person, however in time, patterns regularly appeared in newspapers and magazines well into the 1950's. This book has photographs and detailed instructions for a wide range of tatted edgings and insertions suitable for household linens such as towels, doilies and tablecloths as well as patterns for whole mats. Stanley E. Mullen (a businessman) developed Semco Pty Ltd which began as a Melbourne based importation company in 1907. The first three letters of Semco's name were his initials. In 1915 it began manufacturing women's apparel, whitework and transfer patterns. In 1924 the company moved to Black Rock, Victoria and continued to produce an extensive range of needlework patterns and handcraft instruction booklets, threads etc. up until the late 1970's. Semco had a staff that included many young women. It was noted by E.J. Trait (editor of the local newspaper "Standard News") that the firm provided them with good working conditions and the correct rate of pay for women in a time of war - the starting rate for 15 year olds, mainly girls at Semco was 25 shillings per week. During World War 2, Manpower Regulations could be used to coerce workers to move into jobs that supported the war effort, but Trait argued that being employed at Semco could make this unlikely as the firm made some goods essential for the war effort. He even suggested that women be encouraged to produce needlework items (and play a part in the war effort) by sending them as presents, to the troops up north. He also heaped praise on the Semco workplace - noting that no Saturday work was the norm, allowing employees to shop and have "hair-do's" before enjoying a relaxing weekend! Semco also had a female cricket side in the women's Saturday association. After the war the firm stayed in production until the early 1990's when it was taken over by Coates-Paton Pty Ltd. Norma Benporath (1900 - 1998) was an expert in tatting techniques and taught and published extensively on the subject. She was born in New Zealand with impaired sight but cataract surgery restored 50% vision to one eye. She was inspired to learn tatting whilst watching her aunt tat and being told that tatting did not require as much sharp vision as embroidery. She quickly learnt to design her own patterns and published over 1000 tatted lace patterns between 1929 and 1952. She became a regular contributor to magazines (such as Home Beautiful) and newspapers across Australia. Her designs were also published in New Zealand, South Africa as well as the U.K. and U.S.A. When Semco, a thread manufacturer, noticed a rise in the sale of fine crochet threads, they realized they had an untapped market to explore. Norma designed a collection of tatting patterns for Semco that were used to help promote their threads. Norma also worked with Semco to produce a line of threads and shuttles specifically suited to tatting. In 1997, Norma was inducted into the "Order of Australia" for "Service to the craft of tatting as a designer and through the international publication of her patterns".This item is an excellent example of the needle work being enjoyed by women in the 1940's in Australia and the skills of the Australian designer, Norma Benporath. It is also an example of the trend that emerged for craft companies such as Semco to publish pattern books in order to advertise their own materials.A 32 page soft cover instruction book with green front and back covers showing two tatted doily designs. The book includes black and white photographs and written patterns by Norma Benporath.Front cover - "TATTING" "For / EXPERTS/ and / BEGINNERS" "By/Semco" "SEMCO INSTRUCTION BOOK" "No. 16" "WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS" "9" Back cover - "FOR INSTRUCTIONS FOR WORKING SEE PAGE 22" "Published by Semco Pty. Ltd." "BLACK ROCK, 29, VIC"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, tatting, tatting instruction book, tatting patterns, tatting shuttle, semco, semco pty ltd, norma benporath, needlework, handcrafts, household linen, craftwork

Pincushions or pin pillows date back to the Middle Ages in Europe. The tomato shaped pincushion grew from a Victorian Era superstition that tomatoes were good luck and so they were often given to newly weds as charms and placed on the mantle. When there were no actual tomatoes a fabric token was made and later used for pins. Some pincushions were stuffed with abrasive materials designed to sharpen the pins. This one would have a needlework accessory for an Orbost local.This item is a common sewing accessory reflecting the needlework skills of women in the first half of the 20th century.A soft padded fabric pin cushion. Material is a black background decorated with colourful flowers. It is divided into eight sections by red stitched lines and holds 3 needles and a bent pin.

Taken in Beechworth c1910, this postcard depicts Victoria Road lined with trees and residential houses. A horse and buggy is also pictured driving towards the camera. This postcard was manufacture by SEMCO or SEMCO Art Needlework Company, which was a "music, post-card and fine art importers, indentors and publishers" established by Stanley Edward Mullen in c1910, Melbourne. One of the identifying features of the Semco postcards is the text printed on the reverse of the cards which read: “Semco Series, P.O. Box 545, G.P.O. Melbourne.” Black and white postcard within oval frame, grey decorative edge. Obverse: VICTORIA ROAD, BEECHWORTH Reverse: 1997.2839 (crossed-out) A02839 84-137-1 POST CARD Near our state school. BEECHWORTH about 1910 beechworth, victoria road, postcard, 1910, semco

These samples are thought to have been made by students of Dressmaking at the Ballarat Technical Art School.Two samples of garment construction using calico .1) sample collar with looped buttonholes, bodice includes gathering and smocking. .2) sample Peter Pan collar garment construction, needlework, costume, dressmaking, textiles, ballarat technical art school

Cream linen oblong folded in half to form a pouch to contain a powder compact. The flap has a needle lace motif and the edges have a narrow band of needle lace in a linen thread.costume accessories, female, handcrafts, lacemaking, handcrafts, needlework

Large cream quilt with red edging, decorated on front with hexagonal pieces of various materials. Backed with cream materialNo visible markingsmanchester, needlework, quilt, hexagonal, bed linen, handicrafts

This girl's white long sleeved blouse made from lace,voile and net and was probably made for a special occasion c1900. The delicate needlework flowers on the net insert on front of blouse and the over sleeves exhibit a high standard of skill. The fine pintucks on the front, collar and cuffs are finished by small white beads sewn around the edges. The eyes for the hooks on back opening seam are hand-sewn The women of the early settler families were skilled dressmakers and made the clothes for their families as they established market gardens and farms in Moorabbin Shire This girl's blouse made from lace,voile and net is an example of the high needle work skill of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 A girl's white,long sleeved, tulle blouse,with a high collar stiffened by 4 metal wires. The tulle has pintucks front and back with inserted decorated net panels and sleeves . The long lace outer sleeves have lace edging at the cuffs. The whole blouse is lined with tulle. .The high collar has horizontal pintucks and has small white beading along top and base. The lining tulle has horizontal pintucks and beading and lace edging on the cuffs of the inner sleeves. Hooks and eyes fasten the back of the blouse and ribbon is inserted at waist to produce a flared effect over hips clothing, brighton, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, pioneers, dressmaking,lacework, craftwork, tulle, net, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, moorabbin shire , dairy farms, fruit orchards

A "Plain Sewing Sampler" or "Darning Sampler" was intended to showcase the wide range of sewing techniques and skills a girl or woman had. These skills might include hand sewing techniques such as darning, patching, hemming, mending, structural sewing (making pleats, inserting gussets, joining fabric with seams) making buttonholes and embroidery. Samplers could also be intended for practicing a particular technique. There were several articles printed in Australian newspapers around 1889 referring to the "Plain Sewing Movement". In 1889 a Melbourne branch of the "London Institute for the Advancement of Plain Needlework" was formed by a group of ladies led by Lady Loch and Lady Clarke with the purpose of teaching "plain needlework' to women and girls. "Plain Sewing" included fundamental stitches and techniques that were essential for practical clothing construction and maintenance. Several years later in 1891, another meeting was held at Clivedon (the residence of Lady Clarke) to look into the possibility of improving the teaching of sewing in the state schools. This meeting was attended by several school inspectors and the committee of "the Melbourne Institute for the Advancement of Plain Needlework". This "Plain Sewing Sampler" was donated from the estate of Susan Henry nee Vedmore (1944 - 2021). Susan's family (Harold and Gladys Vedmore) immigrated to Australia from Wales in 1955 and settled in Warrnambool. Susan was well known in the Warrnambool community for her work supporting children and families across the district - particular those with disabilities, or those who were homeless, unemployed or isolated. Susan was the founding trustee of the "Vedmore Foundation" - a Warrnambool philanthropic trust set up to support a range of charitable and not-for-profit causes by providing grant assistance. In 2021, she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the community. It has not been possible to identify the lady (with the initials L. L.) who made this item in 1897 but it was thought to possibly be a female relation in her maternal (or possibly, paternal) grandmother's family. It has many of the same elements and techniques that were taught by the "Plain Sewing Movement" that originated in England at the end of the nineteenth century.This item is a rare example of the handcraft skills needed by women and girls in the late 1890's to construct and maintain practical clothing for their families.A cream flannel sampler made from three smaller rectangular shapes, displaying a wide variety of plain sewing techniques including hand stitched seams (french, bound and herringboned), darned patches, inserted patches, pleats, buttonholes, buttons, a gusset, pintucks, a placket, cross stitch initials and date (L L and 1897) and decorative embroidery.L.L. / ?? Yr 1897flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, warrnambool, sewing, plain sewing, sewing sampler, plain sewing sampler, darning sampler, hand sewing, textiles, susan henry oam, vedmore foundation, sewing techniques

Crochet covers for milk jugs, teacups and bowls were produced to repel the dreaded Australian blow fly. They were typically decorated with Australian flora and fauna and commemorative motifs and sometimes edged with beads, shells and other three dimensional forms, not only for appearance, but also to weigh down the crochet so it would stay safely in place on the jug. The three dimensional parts were stiffened with sugar syrup, or sometimes starch, paraffin or gelatine. The main sources for crochet cover and other needlework designs available to women were in journals, magazines and pattern books. In the first half of the 20th century women's focus was the home and its decoration was important. Embroidery and crochet work was an affordable way to personalise and add aesthetic value, and examples of embroidered and crocheted pieces could be found in most Australian homes, decorating or protecting furniture, floors and walls, and keeping off flies and insects from food. Small square milk jug cover that has been hand crocheted with crown, flag and date patterned into centre. It has a red, white and blue beaded fringe.cover milk-jug-cover handcraft tableware

Susan Zull was the daughter of Florence Ada and Robert Henry Zull of Brunswick when she attended Coburg School, no 484 in the early 1960s. This undated progress report, cites numerical scores for June and December for Grade three for the subjects: speech, reading, composition, english, spellling, writing, arithmetic, social studies, nature study, health knowledge, art, and needlework. It also provides a short report on Susan's progress. The report is signed by W. E. Thomas Head teacher and Robert H. Zull The family would move to Eltham in 1963. susan zull, susan bennett, coburg school, report card, grade 3, education, primary, elementary, subjects, robert zull, w. e. thomas

From Betty McPhee Collection of Sewing Equipment.Packet of gold Sewing Needles sharps. Size 2Queen Royal Gold Eyed sharpshandcrafts, equipment, dressmaking, embroidery, needlework, domestic items, sewing

From Betty McPhee Collection of Sewing Equipment.Packet of 5/10 Lincraft sharps Sewing Needles. SizeLincrafthandcrafts, equipment, dressmaking, embroidery, needlework, domestic items, sewing

From Betty McPhee Collection of Sewing Equipment.Cylinder of Sewing Needles. Size assorted. Best English Egg EyedAbel & Morall - Cross Fox Needle Casehandcrafts, equipment, dressmaking, embroidery, needlework, domestic items, sewing

A cloth bag with envelope flap and button. Cream coloured material with red and pink embroidery on one side. Lace with red trim around edges.Schlate wohl' embroidered on top flap.handcrafts, embroidery, pillow, case, lace, needlework, german

Darning is a sewing technique for repairing holes or worn areas in fabric or knitting using needle and thread alone. It is often done by hand, but it is also possible to darn with a sewing machine. Hand darning employs the darning stitch, a simple running stitch in which the thread is "woven" in rows along the grain of the fabric, with the stitcher reversing direction at the end of each row, and then filling in the framework thus created, as if weaving. Darning is a traditional method for repairing fabric damage or holes that do not run along a seam, and where patching is impractical or would create discomfort for the wearer, such as on the heel of a sock. Darning also refers to any of several needlework techniques that are worked using darning stitches:A very common domestic vintage item used in homes, traditionally by women to repair socks or stocking the subject item dates from the first quarter of the 20th century. It along with many items of the period gives us today a snapshot into domestic life at the end of the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries.Mushroom shaped stocking and sock darner, wooden with nickel plated spring for holding stocking or other fabric in place.Nonewarrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Possibly worn by Mrs Myrtle Uebergang. Part of the Uebergang Collection.White cotton camisole with crocheted front and back yoke. The yoke has a floral design with crocheted lace border edging and capped sleeves. The square neckline is decorated with picot crochet lace.textiles, uebergang, allansford, tooram park, camisole, female costume accessories, handcrafts, needlework

Ruth Woodward was the daughter of Alan Richardson a sawmiller at Tabbara. Richardson Helped build and held ticket for paddle steamer "Curlip". Crochet covers for milk jugs, teacups and bowls were produced to repel the dreaded Australian blow fly. They were typically decorated with Australian flora and fauna and commemorative motifs and sometimes edged with beads, shells and other three dimensional forms, not only for appearance, but also to weigh down the crochet so it would stay safely in place on the jug. The three dimensional parts were stiffened with sugar syrup, or sometimes starch, paraffin or gelatine. The main sources for crochet cover and other needlework designs available to women were in journals, magazines and pattern books. This item is an example of a handcrafted item and reflects the needlework skills of women in the families of the early settlers.Small handmade star-shaped milk cover with a white tulle centre and beading coming down to points off the centre. Beads are clear and black.milk-cover handcrafts needlework beading richardson

The First Australian Exhibition of Women's Work was held at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, from 23 October to 30 November 1907. It was opened by Lady Northcote (the wife of Australia’s Governor General) and Pattie Deakin (wife of the Prime Minister), who also ran a model creche during the exhibition. The five week exhibition showcased the work of women musicians, artists and craftswomen with over 16,000 exhibits in all fields of artistic endeavour. It was attended by approximately 250,000 people. Exhibits were divided into Classes, including Fine Arts; Applied Arts; Photography; Plain Needlework; Cookery, Preserves and Laundry Work; Horticulture; and Medical and Nursing. This item was owned by Mrs. Mary Burrowes, aunt of Mrs. Jean Raper.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A small ruby glass and crystal jug which was produced as a souvenir of the Australian Exhibition of Women's Work held at the Exhibition Building in Melbourne in 1907. It has been inscribed in gold coloured paint. "Mary Women's Exhibition 1907"vase, glassware, decorative items

Patsy Coverdale wrote on about the artwork which is found with the bedspread "This trousseau bedspread commemorates a century of our daily living, of four generations, a bedcover where many loves and lives have begun and ended. Once immaculate, its years of service, of blood, sweat and tears, have seen so many building washes that today's embroideries would shrink from. I rescued it, patched its tears and wears with needlework from ancestors and aunties to celebrate the International year of Women in 1975. It symbols include the IYW to the left, women's work and its rhythms and cycles, a pearl button for our pleasure centre. The male phallic symbol illustrates the organ's early development and its natural power with the energy of relativity behind it all."A quilt made for the centenary of the Hospital made for the International year of women 1975. Re-purposed from a quilt used at the hospital. Given to QVWC in 1997 for the grand opening. textile art, centenaries, hospitals

The First Australian Exhibition of Women's Work was held at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, from 23 October to 30 November 1907. It was opened by Lady Northcote (the wife of Australia’s Governor General) and Pattie Deakin (wife of the Prime Minister), who also ran a model creche during the exhibition. The five week exhibition showcased the work of women musicians, artists and craftswomen with over 16,000 exhibits in all fields of artistic endeavour. It was attended by approximately 250,000 people. Exhibits were divided into Classes, including Fine Arts; Applied Arts; Photography; Plain Needlework; Cookery, Preserves and Laundry Work; Horticulture; and Medical and Nursing. This item was owned by Mrs. Alice Yardy nee Dinsmore, grandmother of Mrs. Jean Raper.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A small green glass vase with gilt edge which was produced as a souvenir of the Australian Exhibition of Women's Work held at the Exhibition Building in Melbourne in 1907. It has been inscribed in gold lettering. "Alice Women's Exhibition 1907"vase, glassware, decorative items

The Hamilton-Smith collection was donated by the children of Grace Mary Hamilton-Smith nee Ellwood (1911-2004) and John Hamilton-Smith (1909-1984) who settled in Wodonga in the 1940s. The Ellwood family had lived in north-east Victoria since the late 1800s. Grace’s mother, Rosina Ellwood nee Smale, was the first teacher at Baranduda in 1888, and a foundation member of the C.W.A. Rosina and her husband Mark retired to Wodonga in 1934. Grace and John married at St. David’s Church, Albury in 1941. John was a grazier, and actively involved in Agricultural Societies. The collection contains significant items which reflect the local history of Wodonga, including handmade needlework, books, photographs, a wedding dress, maps, and material relating to the world wars. This item has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of social and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history.Grey paper photograph album, front covered embossed with a floral motif. photo, photograph, family photograph, albumm, photograph album, hamilton-smith, wodonga, ellwood

The Hamilton-Smith collection was donated by the children of Grace Mary Hamilton-Smith nee Ellwood (1911-2004) and John Hamilton-Smith (1909-1984) who settled in Wodonga in the 1940s. The Ellwood family had lived in north-east Victoria since the late 1800s. Grace’s mother, Rosina Ellwood nee Smale, was the first teacher at Baranduda in 1888, and a foundation member of the C.W.A. Rosina and her husband Mark retired to Wodonga in 1934. Grace and John married at St. David’s Church, Albury in 1941. John was a grazier, and actively involved in Agricultural Societies. The collection contains significant items which reflect the local history of Wodonga, including handmade needlework, books, photographs, a wedding dress, maps, and material relating to the world wars. This item has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of social and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history. Two small round badges. The NSW CWA badge has a light and dark blue design with orange. The Victorian badge has a yellow, green and gold design.On Victorian badge: "VICTORIA/CWA". On NSW Badge: "COUNTRY WOMENS ASSOCIATION N.S.W./CWA".hamilton-smith collection, hamilton-smith, ellwood, charity, volunteer, voluntering, cwa, country women's association, rural, women, women's history, domestic, cooking, food, community