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

White linen pillow shams with delicate white cutwork embroidery. They are edged with a wide band of bobbin lace.pillow slips, pillow shams, cutwork, surface stitchery

This nightgown belonged to Toula Mavrokefalos Black, nee Raftopoulos (1892-1976). Born in Ithaca, Toula's family migrated to Romania when she was only a baby. She learned to sew as a child while growing up in the Romanian village of Brila. She developed her skills making lace and embroidering items for her trousseau. Some of the linen she embroidered had been woven from flax on Ithaca by her own grandmother, Efstathia. In 1914, Toula emigrated to Australia with her husband Constantine Mavrokefalos. During the Depression, when money was scarce, Toula embroidered at home, doing work for a factory in Flinders Lane. Using a cotton reel, a threepence and a sixpence she created and embroidered designs on hundreds of blouses. Her daughter Olga Black spent her preschool days sitting at the table where her mother worked. Toula would involve Olga by allowing her to help choose the colour combinations. Toula lived with Olga in Brighton until her death in 1976. Olga inherited her mother's sewing skills. She re-invented some of Toula’s trousseau nightdresses and skilfully altered other clothing, making dresses which she wore around Brighton for many years. BHS holds a collection of garments and textiles made by the women of Olga's family, spanning four generations.Women's cream cotton sleeveless nightgown. Cutwork embroidery on bodice. Blue stain under one arm.nightgown, toula black, toula mavrokefalos, 1900s

Set of two cotton doilies, possibly hand made in the 1950s for domestic use. Doilies like this were used to protect furniture from scratches and for ornamental use. These doilies are embroidered using the cutwork method.2 cotton doilies (small ornamental mats), cream cotton fabric cut into the shape of a leaf with a small embroidered bunch of grapes.doilies, cutwork embroidery, soft furnishings, table linens

Set of three cotton doilies, possibly hand made in the 1950s for domestic use. Doilies like this were used to protect furniture from scratches and for ornamental use. These doilies are embroidered using the cutwork method.3 cotton doilies (small ornamental mats), cream cotton fabric cut into the shape of a leaf with a several embroidered bunches of grapes.doilies, cutwork embroidery

Two white linen pillow shams with cutwork embroidery and a heavy fancy buttonhole edge. 1377 (also listed as Thelma Crawford Tea Cloth)pillow slips, pillow shams, cutwork, surface stitchery

The doiley was worked by Betty Harrison, wife of Don Harrison. It is a sample of cutwork embroidery. The doiley was worked and when finished the pattern was cut out, leaving the centre uncutThe doiley is a part of a handcraft kit sold by Fautleys fancy work shops, and Needlework shops. Needle work such as embroidery was a very popular social activity during that era. T & A Fautley & Sons operated from Brunswick around 1920's - 1950's.Unfinished piece of cutwork in shape of oblong doiley. Brown cotton thread has been worked to shape star-shaped flowers at each end as well as the bordersFautley's Linen-Weft 5 x 11 No. 1863handcrafts, embroidery

White linen and white cutwork and surface embroidery tea cosy cover. Design of grape leaves and fruit and circles buttonholed, scalloped edging. Four pale blue satin ribbon tied sides. No inner pad which was usually part this style of cosy. Front and back the same. Trapezoid shape.embroidery, cutwork, renaissance, tea cosy, 1920-40, australia

White linen lined in white satin. Front centre has a rectangle of cutwork embroidery, surrounded by a line of drawn thread. Edge is scalloped in fine buttonhole stitch. Tied with white satin ribbon.embroidery, sachet, whitework, 1920-40, australia

White linen fabric with cutwork embroidery in an art deco style with two designs in opposite corners. A stylistic flower in an oval and a Greek lady with her flute in similar setting which is classical of the period. The edge has decorative padded buttonhole stitchery.embroidery, 1900-20, australia, cutwork, cloths

This doily is typical of items of household linen in popular use in the 19th and early-to-mid 20th centuries. It was a tradition for brides to have a 'glory box' containing linen and embroidered and crocheted articles to take to their new home. In the Words of donor, Betty Stone, … “These crocheted and embroidered articles cover a period of three generations- ie. Sarah (nee Chamberlain) Lees, Ann (nee Lees) Dale, and Daisy Elvena (nee Dale) Welsh. All three were accomplished needlewomen; also, both Sarah Lees (born 1844) and her daughter, Ann (b 1865) crocheted a wide variety of articles for use in their homes. A few examples of these items have survived the years.” (NOTE: For additional information please refer to my book Pioneer and Places- A History of Three Warrnambool Pioneering Families ie. Chamberlain, Dale and Lees families) This item is associated with the Warrnambool pioneer families of Chamberlain, Dale and Lees. These families are listed in the Pioneers' Register for Warrnambool Township and Shire, 1835-1900, published by A.I.G.S. Warrnambool Branch. The item is a fine example of early 20th-century needlework.Doily, square white cotton with floral cutwork pattern, embroidery and scalloped edges. From the Chamberlain Dale Lees Collection, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, chamberlain family, dale family, lees family, betty stone, warrnambool pioneer, warrnambool genealogy, wangoom, chamberlain dale lees collection, glory box, doily, embroidery, needlework, handmade, craft, manchester, linen, haberdashery, cutwork

Unusual cream linen, oval doyley with a wide border of cutwork with flowers and scrolls in orange and brown. The edge is finished with a fine, looped buttonhole stitch.embroidery, cutwork, mats, australia, 1920-40

Thelma Crawford designed pale apricot cotton cloth with pale apricot embroidery in stylised pattern including cut work and hand hem stitching.embroidery, cutwork

Thelma Crawford designed pale apricot cotton serviettes with pale apricot embroidery in stylised pattern including cut work and hand hem stitching.embroidery, cutwork

Biography and photo in Archives. Piece embroidered by the Donor's mother Miss Ethel Webb in the 1910's-1930's.A long runner, probably meant for a sideboard in white renaissance cutworkin a floral design and a crocheted edge.embroidery, cutwork, runner, renaissance, whitework

Square supper cloth, with cutwork bands, one of which is quite elaborate with flowers and scrolls. Of main interest is one edge with an unusual version of buttonhole stitch (raised edge buttonhole stitch as per Jacqueline Einthoven book).embroidery, cutwork, tablecloths, australian(?), late 19th century

White cotton cutwork child's dress, hand stitched. Back opening with drawstring neck and waist.children's clothing, embroidery, cutwork, 19th century, lace

Probably embroidered by Mrs McHenryBrian McHenry Design Table Mat -rectangular linen mat, ecru brown and green. Cutwork floral edge.embroidery, cutwork, mats, 1920-40, australia

Cream linen with coloured cut work design of tulips in reds, purple and yellows. Location: C7 F11 936embroidery, cutwork, australia, 1940-60

Thelma Crawford designed pale apricot cotton cloth and serviettes with pale apricot embroidery in stylized pattern including cut work and hand hemstitching.embroidery, cutwork, tea cloth and four serviettes

One large (854 A) and 2 small (854B & 854C) semi-circular mats embroidered in brown, orange, red, yellow, cream and green silks. Motifs of pansies and leaves. Technique of Roman cut work and surface stitchery of long and short stitch. Brown needle lace edging.embroidery, cutwork, mats, surface stitchery, 1900-20, australia

One large semi-circular mat, embroidered in brown, orange, red, yellow, cream and green silks. Motifs of pansies and leaves. Techniques of Roman cutwork and surface stitchery (long and short stitch). Brown needle lace edging.embroidery, cutwork, surface stitchery, mats, australia, 1900-20

Piece won second prize at Royal Melbourne Show in 1955Circular beige mat with natural Roman cutwork or Richelieu design of flowers. embroidery, cutwork, 1940-60, australia

2 small Semi-circular mats embroidered in brown, orange, red, yellow, cream and green silks. Motifs of pansies and leaves. Technique of Roman cut work and surface stitchery of long and short stitch. Brown needle lace edging.embroidery, cutwork, mats, surface stitchery, 1900-20, australia

2 pairs of slippers in white and beige embroidery (most buttonhole) on natural linen, they were kits for slippers which were never made up. One is cut, the other partially cut.embroidery, cutwork, 1900-20

Marghab Linens Ltd. was a company specialising in table linens founded on Madeira in 1933 by British Cypriot Emile Marghab and his South Dakotan wife Vera (née Way); and disestablished in 1980.The company was also known as Emile Marghab Inc. Since 1850, when Madeiran natives were introduced to hand embroidery as a means of industry, the islands had been renowned for their needlework. The Marghabs took advantage of this reputation, producing textiles that were skilfully hand-embroidered on the highest quality Irish linen and a form of organdie called Margandie, made in Switzerland, and harder wearing than usual organdie. The linens were designed by Vera, and hand-embroidered as a home industry by the women on Madeira, who Vera insisted received payment per stitch - which for a single place mat could amount to seventy thousand stitches.Pale grey linen hand towel with white embroidery, cutwork and applique. The design is of a tree with blossoms.madeira work, surface stitchery, hand towel

From the estate of the late Jean Ord, mother of the donor.A oval white dressing table doyley edged in lace with cutwork and embroidery in white, large flower design with needle lace centre at each end and a smaller design at each side centrally.manchester, table linen, handcrafts, embroidery

Seven white cotton Richelieu cutwork serviettes with the embroidery worked on the bottom left hand corner. They have a filet lace border.tableware, serviettes, table napkins, table linen

EMBROIDERED HOLDER FOR D'OYLEYS. 2 ROUND DISCS COVERED IN BEIGE FABRIC AND HAND EMBROIDERED WITH FLOWERS AND THE WORD D'OYLEYS. BEIGE CORD AROUND THE EDGE AND SIGNS OF A PURPLE RIBBON TO TIE IT CLOSED. CONTAINS 4 HAND EMBROIDERED ITEMS. .1 OVAL SHAPED LINEN D'OYLEY WITH FLOWERS EMPROIDERED IN COLOURED THREAD. WHITE THREAD USED FOR CROCHETED EDGING. .2 SQUARE SHAPED LINEN D'OYLEY WITH A BIRD EMPROIDERED IN COLOURED THREAD IN ONE CORNER. WHITE THREAD USED FOR CROCHETED EDGING. .3 SQUARE SHAPED LINEN D'OYLEY WITH FLOWERS EMPROIDERED IN COLOURED THREAD IN ONE CORNER. WHITE THREAD USED FOR CROCHETED EDGING. .4 OVAL SHAPED LINEN D'OYLEY. CUTWORK EMBROIDERY WITH FLOWERS AND WHITE THREAT USED FOR CROCHETED EDGING.domestic objects, d'oyleys, embroidery, fawcett family

Lightweight curtains like this were used in homes in the 1900's to filter the light and decorate the home.White cotton broderie anglaise curtain with feature embroidery, cutwork and needle lace. Has one small strip of small four dot pattern above wide pattern. Finished with a scalloped edge. Has 5cm casing at top for a curtain rod.curtains, window accessories, textiles, furnishings, soft furnishings