This lady’s cotton nightdress is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families A lady's white fine cotton long nightdress with fine lace around neckline and short sleeve cuffs. There are pin-tuck gathers on each side at waistline.cotton, lawn, lace, dressmaking, craftwork, earlysettlers, pioneers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, clothing

Five Indian ink sketches, illustrations and poems on fine cotton. 1. Hilaire Belloc verse with 2 illustrations. 2. 'My Darling Dolly' poem with illustrations. 3. Girl on beach with crab and insects on see-saw. 4. Goose and witch and Birds and Fairies. 5. Fairies and Girl and Stork.By Courtesy of Miss M Bostock (Foundation member of the EGV. )cotton lawn, drawings

This long, white fine lawn cotton pin-tucked baby's christening dress is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin Shire. The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families.A white, fine lawn cotton, pin-tucked, baby's long christening dressclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, dendy henry, market gardeners, craft work

Worn by mother of a Miss Pownall who taught science at MCEGGS. Unsure of connection to Alfred Hospital nursesUncertain.Hand made half petticoat. Cream cotton lawn fabric. 3 hand knitted cotton lace insert panels, machine pin tucking panels between lace. Satin ribbon panel. Tie gathered waistband. Tear in side. Ink inscription 333.01 worn by Mrs Pownall C1900

Cotton lawn tennis tape measure in a circular brown leather case, with metal winding arm. Surface of case has label outining the correct measurements for laying out a lawn tennis court. Materials: Cotton, Metal, Leather, Paper, Inktennis

White lawn cotton day dress circa 1920flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

White fine cotton lawn waist apron. Pentagon shaped bib with spoke stitched hems on four sides. Waistband with ties attached, Skirt has two pleats on each side. Spoke stitched hems on sides and lower edge. Lower edge has spoke stitched detailing of two rectangular shapes, and a centre peak. Old box 160.costume accessories, female, waist apron.

Northern District School of Nursing nurse's base uniform 1950s - 70sTwo veils of nurse uniform in organdie and lawn cotton hemmed on all sides with machine embroidery.nurses uniform, northern district school of nursing, veil

Scalloped edged white maid's apron, bib attached. Checked fine lawn. Cotton backing on edge.

Scalloped edged white maid's apron, bib attached. Checked fine lawn. Cotton backing on edge.

White cotton lawn, three tier waist petticoat. Elastic in casing at waistline. Second tier, also of white lawn fabric is gathered at the seamline. The seam is then covered by white cotton tape, machine stitched over the seam, to neaten the join. Second tier is 32 cm deep, while the third tier is a 14 cm deep band of broiderie anglaise.The seam between tiers 2 & 3 is oversewn with a 3 cm band of broiderie anglaise, with insertion holes but no ribbon is evident.costume, female, white cotton waist petticoat

This lady’s fine lawn cotton half petticoat is an example of the dressmaking and craftwork skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families A lady's hand sewn fine lawn full length half petticoat with elasticised waist and a large band of hand made lace around hem. Ribbon is inserted through the lace.clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, lacework, underwear

This nurse's collar, cap and apron would have been worn by student nurses at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne in the 1960's. Although the style did not change much from earlier years the length of the skirt had shortened. The white semi circular collar has a single row of drawn thread work 1.5 centimeters from the outer edge and is made of starched cotton fabric. The cap is made of a half circle of fine white cotton lawn with a turn back front edge bearing the Alfred Hospital emblem. It has a tape casing about 1.5 centimeters from the edge which contains a thin tape for gathering up the edge of the cap. The white cotton apron has a 5 panel skirt, a waistband with four covered buttons and a bib front which went over the shoulders and buttoned at the back of the waistband.The collar has written in black marker - D.L.Ross E.37; Also written in black marker - E980; A tape printed and machine stitched on - L.A. Holberton The cap has a printed emblem - Alfred Hospital Incorp. Melbourne, Service and Care The apron has written in black maker - M Taylor; E877; J. Williamsalfred hospital, nursing, nurse uniform, student nurse uniform, nurse apron, nurse cap, nurse collar, apron, costume, textiles

Cushion Cover Very Fine Lawn White. Cotton Lace Trim. Silk (Embroidered Machine) Trefoils. Mrs Trickey Familystawell clothing material

This fine lawn handkerchief has machine made lace trim. Although lace was being machine made from the 1600’s the design of the lace on this handkerchief is circa 1900’s. This handkerchief is a representation of fine needlework and women's fashion accessories in the late 19th and early 20th century.White fine lawn cotton handkerchief, square with machine made lace handstitched to lawn. Features two separate types of lace which are carefully cut on the edges. The design of the lace is circa 1900s.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, handkerchief, lace handkerchief, woman's handkerchief, women's accessory, fine fabric craftwork

This pair of lady’s cotton underwear drawers is an example of the dressmaking and lacework skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families A lady's hand sewn lawn long cotton drawers with button waist and long ties. Hand made lacework with ribbon around hem of legs.Waist : D BAYLEYdressmaking, craftwork, lacework, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, ormond

Margaret Law (nee Bartholomew) was born on 3 December 1837 in Stirling, Scotland. She emigrated to Australia with her family aboard the Ticonderoga, arriving in Melbourne on 22 December 1852. Around one hundred passengers died of typhus during the journey, and around seventy more after arrival. Two of Margaret's siblings were among the casualties. The Bartholomew family settled in Ballarat. Around 1861, Margaret married James Nicol Law in Ballarat. They had several children, the youngest of which was James Lindsay Gordon "Lin" Law, (1881-1963). James Nicol Law was killed in a train accident in Fingal Tasmania in July 1886. Lin Law married Elsie Russell on 12 January 1915 (BHS also holds a bridge jacket given to Elsie by Lin; see T0047). They settled in Brighton, moving into 'Blairgowrie', 306 St Kilda Street, in 1920. The eldest their four children, Pauline Margaret Law (born 15 December 1915) ultimately purchased the house with her husband Hugh McLean in 1956 and lived there until 1965 when the house was demolished. In 1906, Lin and his business partner James Kerr Pearson (also a Brighton local, who lived at 12 Moule Avenue) established the shirt manufacturing company Pelaco. In 1922 the company established its factory at 23 Goodwood Street on the top of Richmond Hill; the 4.3 metre high neon 'Pelaco' sign, erected in 1939, is today heritage listed. The company was known for its innovative approach to efficiency and labour relations, discontinuing Saturday morning work in 1908 and appointing an industrial relations officer in 1928.An orange pink (salmon) with cream spot, very fine silk organza dress from circa 1840. The dress features a wide scooped neckline, almost to the shoulder. The sleeves are set low with a gathered head to the sleeve and finished with a flounce, dropping to just above the elbow. The bodice is shaped and fitted to the body and features a centre front detail of the bodice fabric that is gathered, ruched and tapers in a v to the waist. The waistline of the dress sits on the true waist at the sides and tapers to a v at the centre front and centre back. The full skirt is gathered to the piped waistline and falls to the floor. The skirt features three horizontal pleats in the skirt fabric in between four bands of cream floral self embroidered detail. The dress is open at the back where it is boned and features lacing holes. The lacing is missing from the item. The bodice of the dress is lined with a very fine cotton lawn and boned.james nicol law, brighton, pauline margaret law, elsie russell, james lindsay gordon law, margaret bartholomew, pelaco

Clothing. Fine white cotton lawn nightgown. Round neck, with back opening. 12 cm deep yoke, and tiny cap sleeves of embroidered cotton. A V shaped panel of embroidered cotton at the centre front of the yoke. A drawstring in a casing fastens at the back neckline. A tiny .75 cm button, fastens the back yoke. Nightgown is machine stitched, with some hand stitched decorative stitching. The long skirt has two bands of narrow tucks-one tuck of 1.04 cm and six bands of .04 cm. This is edged with a band of hand stitched embroidery. This band of tucking is repeated, and edged with a 6 cm wide band of eyelet embroidery. This panel is repeated with the lower edge of embroidered cotton finished with a scalloped shaped edge. A scalloped braid edges the neckline. Skirt is two-tiered-top tier very finely gathered to yoke is 15 cm deep. Lower tier is 71 cm deep.costume, children's, toddlers nightgown.

Clothing. White fine linen fabric, trimmed at lower leg with a 2 cms wide cotton , brooierie insertion and a 12 cm wide frill of textured (?) fine linen or cotton lawn broiderie. The front waistband dips to a central 8 cm deep peak. Waistband at side seams, is 4.5 cm deep and back waistband is 10 cm deep at side seams, and the 11 cm deep at centre back. Two 1.4 cm covered buttons close the back waistband. The knickers have a gathered opening panel, called at the time a ''drop-seat'' or ''access hatch'' at the centre back. This panel has a 5 cm deep waistband, fastened at either side by a covered button, and a third button at the centre. These buttons are sewn to the back waistband, and the button holes are sewn, correspondingly on the gathered back. A drawstring tape is also threaded through the back waistband. A 6 cm wide gussett sewn from the crotch extends 23 cms long.Printed in fine black ink on back opening; D.S.R.F. No 11.costume, female underwear, victorian era knickers

This christening gown belonged to Frances Nobelius (1920-2015) and is believed to have been given to her by her mother Nina Ayers (nee Casement, 1891-1872). It was likely passed to Nina by her own mother, Mary Frances Balharry (1869-1898), and reused by the family over multiple generations of christenings. At the time it was made - before Nina's christening in 1891 - christening gowns usually featured a very long skirt decorated with extensive embroidery - often modelled on contemporary women's fashion. They were long-lasting family heirlooms, typically passed from mother to daughter.This gown was passed through several generations living in the local area, including members of the Nobelius family. It is an example of an element of late 19th century christening practices, and shows the reuse of christening gowns through decades and generations.This white lawn cotton christening dress is a long line gown with a simple bodice. It is almost sleeveless with a lace trim. It has a lace trimmed neckline, and a back opening with ribbon ties at the neckline and waistline. The skirt is gathered with a broderie anglais panel of lace on the front, extending from the neckline to the hemline.clothing, nobelius family

Baby clothes worn by Una Reynolds, member of the Society. Born 1927, died 2003.White, lawn cotton baby's underdress/petticoat. Sleeveless, with drawstring at waist. Hand sewn white chain stitching and lace trimming at high neckline and armholes. Drawstring at back neck opening and one button and buttonhole halfway to lace. Skirt edged with double row of white chain stitching and crochet lace.costume, infants'

This item was sent home to Arthur Tranters daughter Brenda. Refer to Cat No. 7944. Item in the collection of "Arthur E. Tranter". V50166 - VX52843 - 2/29th Bn P.O.W.Top or small dress for a young girl. Orange colour cotton, muslin or lawn fabric, gathered onto a yoke with hand stitched smocking. Above hemline - decorated with handstitched embroidery. Thread colours - white, cream, blue and pink. Left shoulder opening has three metal press studs to close garment. This garment was sent home to A.E. Tranter's daughter.clothing, ww2, arthur e tranter

This child's dress is one of several linen and clothing items that were made and belonged to Mrs. Eliza Towns and donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village. Eliza was born Eliza Gould in 1857 in South Melbourne (Emerald Hill) and in 1879 married Charles Towns. In the early 1880's they moved to Nhill in western Victoria and remained there for the rest of their married life. Charles was a jeweller and later became an accountant and for many years was involved with the Shire Council, the local show committee (A & P Society), the Hospital Committee and the Board of the local newspaper (the Nhill Free Press). They had three children and lived a life that would be regarded as comfortably "middle class". Eliza probably had a treadle sewing machine and would have made many of her own clothes as well as clothes for her children - adding her own handmade embroidered or crocheted decorative trim. A photograph of their youngest child, Alice, taken in circa 1903 depicts her wearing the dress. The dress would have been only worn on special occasions (such as a formal family photographic portrait) as most young girls in that era would have smocks or pinafores for everyday wear. The age of the dress is in question as it may have been made by Eliza for her eldest daughter, Dorcus, who was born in 1884. This dress has some machine sewing at the neck, waistband and pintucks but much of the dress is handsewn and richly embroidered with Broderie anglaise. Broderie anglaise (also known as eyelet lace) is a form of cutwork embroidery. The foundation fabric is cut to make decorative holes which are sewn with overcast or buttonhole stitches to create a lace like effect. Designs often involve floral motives that are enhanced with simple embroidery stitches such as stem stitch and satin stitch and scalloped edges finished with buttonhole stitches. It was commonly used to trim baby clothes, dresses, nightclothes, underclothes and household linens - particularly in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. This item is an example of the needlework skills of women in the late 19th century - combining machine stitching with hand embroidery to personalise and embellish a child's special dress.Child's white dress made of cotton and lawn, with a skirt of hand embroidered circular cutwork (broderie anglaise), a scalloped hem edged in buttonhole stitch and a gathered waist. The lined bodice has three panels of hand embroidered broderie anglaise (eyelet lace) inserted in a V shape with pintucks and bordered with a broderie anglaise lace frill. The short sleeves also have an inserted broderie anglaise lace strip, three pintucks and a broderie anglaise lace frill. The skirt is semi lined with fine lawn. The dress has a back opening with one button and two ties. The neckline is decorated with two rows of hand embroidered broderie anglaise lace.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, warrnambool, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, nhill, wimmera, eliza towns, dorcus towns, child's dress, machine sewing, hand sewing, broderie anglaise, cutwork, embroidery, eyelet lace, clothing, handmade, charles towns, alice towns

This item is one of a collection of clothing items that belonged to the Stephenson family who lived at 22 McCracken Street, Kensington, Melbourne. Matthew Stephenson (1861 – 1943) who had grown up on the Bendigo goldfields and shifted to Melbourne in the early 1900’s was a train driver and later, a fireman with the railways. His wife Elizabeth Jane (Betsy) Wigley (1865 – 1953) also grew up on the goldfields around Majorca and Bendigo. They married in 1885 in Bendigo. They had two daughters – Ethel Evelyn Stephenson (1886 – 1956) and Lillian or Lila (1891 – 1977) who were milliners and dressmakers and who continued to live in the family home after the death of their parents. The family are recorded as living at 22 McCracken Street, Kensington, as early as 1914. It is not known who made or owned the clothing that makes up this collection but as it appears to be from the late Victorian and early Edwardian era, the different pieces were probably made and worn by any of the three ladies of the house – Betsy, Ethel and/or Lila. During W.W.2, a local Warrnambool couple (Meryl and Tony Everard) boarded with them – Tony was in the airforce training paratroopers to jump into (and survive) enemy territory and his wife Meryl worked in the Methodist baby Home. The Everards developed a close friendship with the Stephensons and were responsible for clearing out the house (and finding this clothing collection) after Lila died in 1977. A petticoat is a lady's undergarment - worn under a skirt or dress. They provided warmth, modesty and shape to the dress. In the middle of the 19th century, petticoats were worn over hoops, bustles or in layers. Petticoats varied according to the style of the outside skirt or dress. Plain petticoats tended to be worn with everyday wear whilst better dresses (party dresses or silk gowns) were worn with petticoats that often had more trim and embellishments. Edwardian petticoats had less volume than Victorian era petticoats and they had a "dust ruffle" or lining under a lace flounce. The "dust ruffle" protected the lace flounce and gave the petticoat more flare at the bottom, greater freedom when walking as well as saving the flounce (which was often made of finer material) from everyday wear and tear. Tucks are another feature of Edwardian petticoats - when the lace at the bottom became worn, it could be cut off and the tucks released. This extended the life of the petticoat. This petticoat features an intricate trim of broderie anglaise. Although broderie anglaise was a lace that could be made by hand, it was very time consuming to make. St Gallen was a city in Switzerland that had become known for producing quality textiles. At the beginning of the 19th century, the first embroidery machines were developed in St Gallen. Factories used embroidery machines but people also had them in their homes. They were able to produce broderie anglaise for export. By the early 20th century, machine made lace, fabric, ribbons etc. were being sold in drapers shops all over England and Wales to women who were making clothes and furnishings for their families. It is highly likely that the lady who made this petticoat brought the lengths of broderie anglaise already made to embellish and personalise her petticoat.This item is an example of the needlework skills of women in the late 19th century - creating pintucks and adding lace to personalise and embellish a practical item of clothing.A lady's ankle length petticoat made in three sections. The top section is made from three rectangles of fine cotton (batiste) joined into a round with narrow french seams and inserted into a simple drawstring waistband with a small opening. The second section is made with rows of alternating strips of fine pin tucked lawn, white cotton cut work embroidery and a wider cotton lace design all joined in a diagonal pattern and lined with fine lawn. The bottom section of the petticoat has a horizontal strip of eyelet lace followed by a wider strip of fine pin tucked lawn and is finished with a deep hem of white cotton crocheted lace fabric and has the same lawn lining as the section above.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, warrnambool, petticoat, lady's petticoat, needlework, sewing, broderie anglaise, stephenson family, drawstring waistband

Clothing. A concealed full length back opening reveals five tiny covered buttons, 7 mm in diameter and five hand-stitched button holes. This opening is bordered by two groups of five very fine pin tucks with a 3 cm spacing between the two groups. The blouse is made from very fine Swiss lawn cotton fabric, and is very soft to the feel. The front has a broad panel thirty cm wide of exquisite pintucks, crochet, lace and embroidery. The embroidery is white on white, and features flowers and leaves in a curved pattern. A crochet panel below the high neckline is 4 cm x 10 cms and is peaked at the lower edge. This is bordered by 1.5 cm wide cotton lace, and horizontal pintucks. Two panels, one on either side of three pintucks, 1.5 cm panel of lace, and then the central panel of embroidery, pintucks, lace, and crochet. Five pintucks, 1.5 cm panel of lace and five more pintucks run the length of the short sleeves. Sleeves are puffed, and gathered at the shoulder, and at the 1.5 cm deep cuff, which is also pintucked. A 1.5 cm deep 'stand-up' collar, spoke-stitched to the garment, as are the sleeves and shoulder seams. Front hemline is curved. Back hemline is straight.costume, female, a full length back opening blouse

These items were made as samplers either at school or most likely college. They are samples of embroidery stitches, seam types and sewing and knitting techniques.Nos 1-16 are group of samplers made from cotton lawn, cotton with sateen weave and flannel and made by Ruth McGannon. No 17 is a pair of gloves made by Margaret Russell. .1) A small square of yellow lawn with three horizontal rows in blue thread and three vertical rows in red thread of running stitch each 3.5 centimeters apart. The edges are frayed to 1.2 centimeters. .2) A larger rectangle of yellow lawn with three horizontal rows 7.8 centimeters apart and three vertical rows 10 centimeters apart of long stitch, stitched in blue thread. The edges are frayed to 2 centimeters. .3) A small square of yellow lawn with three horizontal rows and three vertical rows of blue thread of running stitch, each 1.9 centimeters apart. The edges are frayed to 1.5 centimeters. .4) A larger rectangle of yellow lawn with three horizontal rows 9 centimeters apart and three vertical rows 11.2 centimeters apart of running stitch, stitched in red thread. The edges are hemmed with two rows of long stitch .5 centimeter apart with a loose blue thread of laced running stitch weaving in and out of the red long stitch. .5) A rectangle of hemmed yellow lawn with a pocket formed at each end. Two rows of long stitch in red thread hem the edges with a blue thread stitched between each red stitch. The pockets are formed by turning back the edges and stitching them down in brown thread. R.M. is embroidered in brown chain stitch on the right side. .6) A rectangle of hemmed blue lawn the same as the previous piece but with five rows of back stitch in yellow and orange thread creating a pattern. .7) A rectangle of blue lawn with the top and bottom edges hemmed with two rows of long stitch close together in yellow and orange. The other two edge are frayed to 2.5 centimeters and has four rows of long stitch .7 centimeter apart in yellow and orange thread. .8) A blue lawn bag with two packets was made by hemming a rectangle of fabric on three sides in long stitch with orange thread, then yellow thread between the stitches. The fourth side is hemmed in hemming stitch in yellow thread with blanket stitch in yellow thread along the edge. This edge is folded up by one third to create a pocket. The edges on either side are stitched together. A row of chain stitch in orange thread is stitched down the middle to create two pockets. A tape is stitched to either side at the top and this is folded over the pocket. .9) A cream cotton with sateen weave rectangle is hemmed with a double row of orange thread in long stitch. On both sides is embroidery in orange and yellow thread. .10) A yellow cotton with sateen weave baby's bib is made from a rectangle of fabric with a semi circle cut out of the top. The edges are turned and hemmed with a narrower turning on the neck. A tape is stitched at either side of the neck. On the front is embroidered a train in blue and yellow threads. .11) A yellow lawn embroidery sampler using blue and brown thread shows long stitch, stem stitch, herringbone stitch, chain stitch, fly stitch, lazy daisy stitch, cross stitch and satin stitch. It is hemmed using drawn thread work and the bottom is scalloped and finished in blanket stitch. .12) A pink lawn embroidery sampler with green thread shows herringbone stitch, stem stitch, running stitch, chain stitch, cross stitch, lazy daisy stitch, fly stitch, feather stitch, satin stitch and back stitch. The bottom is scalloped and finished in buttonhole stitched. The other three edges are hemmed using drawn thread work. .13) A small cream flannel square with two smaller squares are stitched together down the middle in decreasing sizes using chain stitch. The largest piece is hemmed using both herringbone and a decorative blanket stitch. It also has a run and fell seam on the opposite side using both running and herringbone stitches. A row of feather stitch is on either side of the seam. The two smaller squares are frayed on the edges. .14) A cream rectangular flannel sampler has two seams along the length. One is a run and fell seam using running and herringbone stitches and the other is an open seam using running stitch and both edges are stitched down with herringbone stitch. The two shorter edges are bound and the longer edges have a tape which is stitched down to neaten the edges. On the right side are two rows of feather stitch. .15) This blue lawn apron has a rectangular gathered skirt which is attached to a waistband and in turn attached to a bib front which goes over the head. The bib and skirt sides are hemmed using decorative blanket stitch in pink and dark blue thread. The skirt hem and both sides of the waistband are stitched in two rows of herringbone in pink and dark blue thread. .16) This pale pink lawn child's shirt has french seam side seams, a waist band to which the shirt is attached using slight gathering. The sleeves have cuffs. There is a front facing and a collar and there is a small pocket in the left hand breast. .17) These yellow knitted gloves are made using plain stitch for the hand and rib for the wrist.Written on paper and stitched on to a couple of items - Ruth McGannon V.3 - 312 Written on paper and stitched to the gloves - Margaret Russell x No2embroidery, sampler, gloves, stitches, sewing, knitting, apron, costume, needlework, dressmaking, textiles

This item of underclothing, called a "combination" is one of several linen and clothing items belonging to the deceased estate of Susan Henry OAM (nee Vedmore 1944 - 2021) that was donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village. 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 in 2010 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. Combination undergarments combined the chemise and drawers into one garment. The combination is divided, or bifurcated, from the waist to the crotch for easier urinating. This one-piece type of underwear was worn by females from the 1860s and into the early 1900s. The 19th Century garments had front button closures like this one, and those made in the 1900s more often had back closures. Combination underwear was popular because the all-in-one design had far fewer gathers and bulk, making the other clothing look much smoother. Their primary use was to protect clothing from perspiration and because they were made with cotton or linen, were easy to wash. This particular item is made with lawn (a very lightweight fabric) and is sleeveless, making it suitable for hot weather. Although they were worn under the corset next to the skin (and therefore not meant to be seen), they were often decorated with lace or embroidery. This item is an example of the needlework skills of women in the late 19th century - using machine stitching and lace to personalise and embellish a practical item of clothing. It is also significant as an example of a practical solution to the difficulties that women of this era faced with regard to the washing of clothes and household linens.Lady’s white lawn and lace all-In-one combination undergarment. The handmade underwear is a combined chemise and bloomers. It has four buttons in the front and is trimmed with lace on the neckline, armholes, bodice (in a diagonal design) and legs. The left and right sides are divided from the waist to the crutch. The back of the garment is plain with a gathered section at the lower back.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, combinations, lady's combinations, undergarment, lingerie, handsewn, underwear, clothing, victorian era undergarments, lady's garment, susan henry oam, vedmore foundation

This petticoat was one of several items donated from the estate of Susan Henry OAM nee Vedmore (1944 - 2021). It is in very good condition and appears to be from the Edwardian era - early 20th century. A petticoat is a lady's undergarment - worn under a skirt or dress. They provided warmth, modesty and shape to the dress. In the middle of the 19th century, petticoats were worn over hoops, bustles or in layers. Petticoats varied according to the style of the outside skirt or dress. Plain petticoats tended to be worn with everyday wear whilst better dresses (party dresses or silk gowns) were worn with petticoats that often had more trim and embellishments. Edwardian petticoats had less volume than Victorian era petticoats and they had a "dust ruffle" or lining under a lace flounce. The "dust ruffle" protected the lace flounce and gave the petticoat more flare at the bottom, greater freedom when walking as well as saving the flounce (which was often made of finer material) from everyday wear and tear. Tucks are another feature of Edwardian petticoats - when the lace at the bottom became worn, it could be cut off and the tucks released. This extended the life of the petticoat. This petticoat features an intricate trim of broderie anglaise. Although broderie anglaise was a lace that could be made by hand, it was very time consuming to make. St Gallen was a city in Switzerland that had become known for producing quality textiles. At the beginning of the 19th century, the first embroidery machines were developed in St Gallen. Factories used embroidery machines but people also had them in their homes. They were able to produce broderie anglaise for export. By the early 20th century, machine made lace, fabric, ribbons etc. were being sold in drapers shops all over England and Wales to women who were making clothes and furnishings for their families. It is highly likely that the lady who made this petticoat brought the lengths of broderie anglaise already made to embellish and personalise her petticoat. 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 in 2010 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.This item is an example of the needlework skills of women in the late 19th century - creating pintucks and adding lace to personalise and embellish a practical item of clothing. It is also significant as an example of a practical solution to the difficulties that women of this era faced with regard to the washing of clothes and household linens.A white lawn petticoat with a 22.5 cm opening that fastens with 2 small buttons and a drawstring tie. It is decorated with two wide pintucks followed by two gathered frills (or flounces) - one decorated with three rows of narrow pintucks and a single row of broderie anglaise and the bottom frilled hem finished with 3 rows of broderie anglaise in a flower design. The two bottom frills are lined with plain white cotton fabric.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, petticoat, lady's petticoat, undergarment, lady's undergarment, lingerie, edwardian petticoat, broderie anglaise, lace, machine made lace, hand sewn, machine sewn, draper's shop, susan henry oam, vedmore foundation