Purchased by a Society member and donated.Round wooden block with sample of material to demonstrate how to use the darner and needles. Instructions included - see Supp EnvelopeThe Ebor Darnerdomestic items, sewing

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

This wooden mushroom-shaped darner was commonly used as an aid in darning socks and similar items.Two pieces, "mushroom" and handle.darners, sewing equipment

Wooden mushroom-shaped sock darner with hole in centre of head. Turned and waisted handle with groove around widest section.No visible markingsdomestic items, sewing, sock, darner, wooden, mushroom shaped, domestic.

Use: Domestic: Household trimmingDarned lace edging

Used for darning clothing such as socks. This is a small one, possibly used for children's clothing.Small darning mushroom, turned wood, painted fawndarning mushrooms, darners

Use: Domestic. Household trimmingA darned lace edging. Sample

Embroidered picture of bunch of flowers, darned embroidery on fine linen.handcrafts, embroidery, needlework

The darning mushroom would have been an essential tool in an era when women were constantly repairing worn socks.Before the common use of synthetic materials, socks and other items of clothing were in constant need of repair. Darning would have been considered a necessary skill for girls and young women, part of their education as future wives and mothers. The mushroom was used to make repairs to clothing and bed linen.This darning tool was an essential item in 19th and early 20th century household as self-reliant women often had to make and repair all their clothing.A mushroom-shaped piece of smooth wood used to stretch and support material being darned.darning-mushroom needlework handicraft domestic

Myer advertising fan"Marvel Darner & Fancy Worker" cottons belonged to Ivy Kennedy, who was employed at Myer Melbourne in the 1920s. The referenced "Marvel Darner" could not be located. Three card silken lisle mercerised mending threads produced for Myer Emporium Ltd. Melbourne included. social history, myer business history

Belonging to Florence Gertrude Edwards, Sister Martha, Deaconess of Carlton Methodist Mission. She later married the Rev. George Dyson.White starched lawn ribbons with drawn thread work at one end. R034.2 is darned. R034.1 has a join midway.

Hilda Elizabeth Foster (1890-1982) was commissioned as a Deaconess in 1914 giving a lifetime of service to the church particularly in the social care aspect of the Gospel. She was also a double certified nurse. Deaconess Hilda Foster began her work as a Deaconess in South Melbourne and then served for 13 years with the Presbyterian Sisterhood in North Fitzroy caring for unmarried mothers and their babies. In 1933 she was appointed Matron of the Presbyterian Girls' Home in Elsternwick where she worked for 15 years. She retired in 1948 when it was noted "In complete dedication matron has given herself to this care of souls". Deaconess Foster was awarded the British Empire Medal for her work in the Queen's birthday honours in 1981. Deaconess Foster was one of the first qualified Mother Christmasses in Australia. [Minutes of the Sixth Synod, Oct 1982]Six pairs and four odd assorted cuff studs in a green plastic box with a clear lid which bears an inscription."Where are those darned studs? RIGHT HERE WITH BEST WISHES FROM"deaconess hilda foster, sunday school council of victoria, australian inland mission, deaconess hilda elizabeth foster, mother christmas, presbyterian girls' home elsternwick

Used for darning ladders in nylon stockingsUsed for darning ladders in nylon stockingOval wooden stocking darner, 2cm valley cut down the centre,& 6cm handle for holding while darning ladders in nylon stockings.Pic - Quick - URGM989116domestic items, sewing

A darning mushroom such as this was a common household item in Australia up to the 1950s. Socks were mostly made of wool and when holes appeared, (particularly in the heel) they had to be darned, usually in a criss-cross pattern. The darning mushroom gave the darner a good smooth and stable surface. Many of these darning tools were homemade. The darner could also have been used to mend torn sleeves or other items of clothing. Some people may still use a darning mushroom today but in general socks are not darned but disposed of when holes appear. This darning mushroom has no known local provenance but it is a good example of a household item of times past. This is a light-coloured wooden darning tool. The mushroom-shaped top is attached to a handle which is elongated at the bottom end and has a slight ridge near the base and a small hole at the end. There are some pit marks on the top surface. darning mushroom, social history, history of warrnambool

A Crown Horse brand Home Needle Kit with 48 needles and a threader in a plastic bag. The needles are presented in gold strips attached to a black piece of cardboard.and are labelled as - Darners, Embroidery, Thick Wool Darner, Sharps, Betweens and a Threader. Two needles are missing, - a Bodkin and Mattress. The card has two black horses underneath a black crown at the top.'Crown Horse Home Needle Kit Japan' The types of needles are as listed above.sewing equipment, sewing, sewing needles

Needle case is part of a collection of sewing tools donated by Betty McPhee.Green mottled leather wallet style case containing sewing needles of various sizes. Includes 5, 4/8, 6 rug, crewel, darners, chenille.handcrafts, equipment

Worn by patients at Sunbury Asylum.Inmate's dress in unbleached canvas with red stripe. Back opening from neck to thigh with four pairs of bias bound eyelets. Tie is unbleached calico with blue stripe, hemmed and sewn in three lines. Bodice and skirt pleat into waistband. Neck has reinforced yoke."K . . . .L" in black ink inside front neck; heavily darned, only end letters legible.costume, sunbury asylum, george evans collection

This type of sewing equipment was widely used in many homes, in an era when hand-made clothes were the “norm.”, and clothes and hosiery were mended, darned or ‘re-made’ into another garment.. These cotton and silk threads are examples of those used for dressmaking, crochet and needlework by the women of the early settler families who made, mended or darned the clothes and hosiery in Moorabbin Shire c1900A tin with lid, containing various packets of sewing threads and needlesPackets ; CLARKE’S Fine Filosheen Grist / 20 yards 3076 Squirrel / No 40 : PRESTIGE ; NEWEY’S Spring ; PARAMOUNT Linen Finish THREAD ; Embassy rustless needles ; sewing, prestige cotton, needles, threads, moorabbin, bentleigh, ormond, craftwork, dressmaking, early settlers, market gardeners

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

Two Cards with thread wound around middle:- 1851.1 Thread 1851.2 Mending lisle. Third Card "Rite Tone for hosiery darning. Box (empty) for Hose Mending1851.1 Barbour's Lisburn N.Ireland Trade Mark Flax Linen Thread 15 Yards|1851.2 Della Darn Mending List Fashion Shades For Hosiery 3. Darning. Rite Tone Made in Australiaa. specially prepared for Hosiery/Darning Etc. 4. Box - The Handbag Silk Hose Mending Outfit 12 Fashionable Shades with needle Made in England.handcrafts, needlework

The domestic sewing box would have been used in the home.A brown varnished rectangular wooden lidded Sewing Box with a lift out top section which has 16 varying sized compartments for storing sewing accessories. There is a has a hollow area underneath the tray. The lid is attached with brass hinges and it has a brass lock and small key. There are several sewing items included - cotton reels and thread, assorted darning thread for hosiery, wool and nylon threads, a box of black pins, assorted sewing needles, thimbles, small decorative sewing scissors, black rolled tape, mixed buttons, hooks and eyes, nickel plated fittings for hats, vintage stocking hooks, a stick of white chalk, two (one green and one ivory) antique cotton thread winders and a medium sized vintage safety pin.a Variety of brands of items include - 'Rite Tone', 'Della Darn' 'C No Darn', 'Clark's Filosheen' hosiery thread, 'Barbour's Linen Wax Thread', 'The Flora MacDonald Best Steel Bodkins' 'National Hat Guard' nickel plated steel and brass fittings, 'Chadwick's Wool and Nylon' reinforcing mending thread, 'The Myrene Snap Studio' size 1 rustless press studs, 'The Pagoda Brand' rolled tape 5 yds, 'Cross Fox Brand' Best quality Steel Stems (long plastic headed pins), 'Toledo' brass thimble and a black box of 'F. Tayler & Co's Solid Headed Mixed Pins'. The brass lock has 'SECURE PATENT' stamped in to it on the inside of the edge of the front of the box. there is also a small VR with a tiny rounded pattern opposite the Patent sign. sewing equipment, sewing box, sewing, embroidery scissors, functional object

Card menu with paper insert. Front has image of a chef and a waiter surrounded by birds. Has a blue string around the middle.Front: "MERRY XMAS" Inside: "We wish you a very merry Xmas/ m.v Halifax Star/ 25th December 1965./ At Sydney/ XMAS DINNER/ Grapefruit Maraschine/ Chilled Orange Juice/ Consomme Royale/ Cream of Tomato/ Seafood Cocktail Darn of Salmon Holondaise/ Chicken Vol au Vente/ Roast Norfolk Turkey Chipolata/ Cranberry Sauce/ POTATOES/ Straw Roast Parsley/ Green Peas Brussel Sprouts Mixed Vegetables/ COLD BUFFET/ Pale Ham Roast Beef Corned Beef/ SALADS/ Asparagus Vinnaigrette Fresh Beetroot & Onion/ SWEETS/ Christmas Pudding and Rum Sauce/ Strawberries & Ice Cream Bartlett Pears and Cream/ Assorted Nuts/ Fresh Fruits/ Assorted Cheeses/ Coffee Biscuits"

A novelty postcard with pull-out strip of 9 miniature photographs that was produced by the Valentine Publishing Co as a souvenir of Marysville.A novelty postcard with pull-out strip of 9 miniature photographs that was produced by the Valentine Publishing Co as a souvenir of Marysville.Just a Line from MARYSVILLE 1355 PRINTED PAPER/ MAILING NOVELTY TO OPEN RAISE FLAP VALENTINE'S "MAIL NOVELTY" POST CARD/ COPYRIGHT From Printed in Great Britain To Marysville Chalet/ Marysville/ Phone 12 Dear Nev. We had a good/ trip up, left Ballarat/ 1/4 to 2 & Ivy & Kev were waiting 1/2 hr for us &/ Kev took the lead through Melbourne & by cripes/ was I glad to get through it, our darn engine/ kept cutting out, at the stop signs, by cripes I felt/ like crawling under the seat. Its beautiful weather/ here, we done a couple of good walks, going fishing/ this afternoon, Merle & Valerie have mixed up with/ some of the young mob & seem to be doing alright./ Well hope every-thing is going OK down there./ Merle & Val are thinking of going horse riding./ The trees and ferns are gorgeous here, tall I have never/ seen so tall a trees. Well Nev must close now. Love from Mum. Xmarysville, victoria, postcard, souvenie, valentine publishing co, crossways cabaret (image 1), taggerty river (image 2), acheron way (image 3), black spur (image 4), nicholl's lookout (image 5), main street marysville (image 6), sugarloaf bay eildon (image 7), steavenson falls (image 8), cumberland falls (image 9)

This photographic postcard of the SS Edina was taken after the 1890’s due to the style and configuration of the vessel. There is a black and white photograph of the same image also in our Collection (RN 3192). It is most likely that both of the photographs were donated by the same person because the people mentioned in the inscription on the black and white photograph’s reverse side connect with two of the people mentioned in the letter on the reverse of the coloured photograph. * RN 3192; Black & White photograph - inscription: "Donated by Mrs. Nancy Mason, Bay View. Owned by Mac Fordham, Chief Engineer, 'Edina', then given to Mrs. Mason's father-in-law Arnold Mason (both Engineers W.W. I)" The “Arnie” to whom the letter was addressed is likely to be Arnold Mason, Engineer. The author of the letter, “Mac”, is likely to be Mac Fordham, Chief Engineer of SS Edina. The transcribed letter tells of two men who know each other well and have an interest in the Edina. “Mac” mentions that he may be “too old” to be at sea again; this would also support the idea that the older writer would give his photographs to the perhaps younger “Arnie”. * RN 3193 (this photograph) - Transcription of pen and ink script handwriting = = = = = = = = = = = = 19-12-37 No. 1 Flat, “Goodwood Lodge” 196 Lennox Street, Richmond [Victoria] Dear Arnie , Been meaning to write for long time but you know, it’s just the usual routine of the seamen within Bay trades. Had a good trip back from Sydney. Took our time, spent almost a week coming back, rather monotonous in parts in the hill country, too many darn curves, still was a good trip. How are you all keeping? Suppose you’ve moved back to Drummoyne [erettris?], expect you can let the house in Manly easily enough. Noticed they had a strike at Cockatoo [Cockatoo Island NSW]. don’t suppose they pulled the boys out. How is Jack doing? Has [Willie?] commenced training yet, or no! too young, isn’t she? Been a lot of “paper” talk about the “Edina” finishing but nothing official that I’m aware of, but it’s always on the cards I suppose, then I suppose it will be to sea again if I’m not too old. Easy Winter only 3 trips per week, running every day from today until further notice. Trust [Mary?] Is well & all’s well with you too. Best wishes from us both for Xmas & New Year. Cheerio Mac = = = = = = = = = = = = ABOUT THE S S EDINA The three masted iron screw steamer SS Edina was built in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1854 by Barclay and Curle. She was adorned with the figurehead of ‘fair maid of Judea’. The many years of service made SS Edina famous world-wide as the longest serving screw steamer. (The term screw steamer comes from being driven by a single propeller, sometimes called a screw, driven by a steam engine.) SS Edina’s interesting history includes English Chanel runs, serving in the Crimean Ware carrying ammunition, horses and stores to the Black Sea, and further service in the American Civil War and later, serving in the western district of Victoria as well as in Queensland and carried gold, currency and gold prospectors Australia to New Zealand. SS Edina had the privilege of being an escort vessel to H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh during his visit to Australia in 1867. In March 1863 SS Edina arrived in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne and was bought by Stephen Henty, of Portland fame, to work the cargo and passenger run from Melbourne – Warrnambool – Port Fairy - Portland. After a short time of working the run from Australia to New Zealand, with passengers and cargo that included gold and currency, she returned to her Melbourne - Warrnambool – Port Fairy run, with cargo including bales of wool produced in the western district of Victoria. The Warrnambool Steam Packet Company purchased SS Edina in 1867; she was now commanded by Captain John Thompson and Chief Engineer John Davies. She survived several mishaps at sea, had a complete service and overhaul and several changes of commanders. In 1870 SS Edina was in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, when a gale sprung up and caused a collision with the iron screw steamer SS Dandenong. SS Edina’s figurehead was broken into pieces and it was not ever replaced. SS Edina was re-fitted in 1870 then was used as a coastal trader in Queensland for a period. She was then brought to Melbourne to carry cargo and passengers between Melbourne and Geelong and performed this service 1880-1938. During this time (1917) she was again refitted with a new mast, funnel, bridge and promenade deck, altering her appearance. In 1938, after more collisions, SS Edina was taken out of service. However she was later renamed Dinah and used as a ‘lighter’ (a vessel without engine or superstructure) to be towed and carry wool and general cargo between Melbourne and Geelong. In 1957, after 104 years, the SS Edina was broken up at Footscray, Melbourne. Remains of SS Edina’s hull can be found in the Maribyrnong River, Port Phillip Bay. [Reference: A Brief Review of Steam Navigation in Victoria; C Dickson Gregory; Centenary Maritime Exhibition catalogue, 1934; published by Shiplovers' Society of Victoria Dandenong, Passengers in History, http://passengersinhistory.sa.gov.au/node/924034 Edina, Victorian Heritage Database VHR S199 http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/shipwrecks/heritage/199 SS Edina, Coastal Trader and Passenger Ship 1853-1938, Museum Victoria Collections, https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/articles/6227 SS ‘Edina’ – the Longest Serving Screw Steamer in the World, POI Australia, https://poi-australia.com.au/ss-edina-the-longest-serving-steamer-in-the-world/ ]This photographic postcard with the letter on the revers tell about the SS Edina and are significant for its association with the screw steamer SS Edina. The SS Edina is heritage listed on the Victorian Heritage Database VHR S199. She had endeared herself to the people of Port Phillip Bay as a passenger ferry, part of their history and culture. She played a significant role in the Crimean War, the American Civil War and the gold rush in New Zealand. She also served western Victoria for many years in her cargo and passenger runs. The SS Edina is famous for being the longest serving screw steamer in the world. After spending her first nine years overseas she arrived in Melbourne and her work included running the essential service of transporting cargo and passengers between Melbourne and the western Victoria ports of Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland. The SS Edina was purchased in the late 1860’s by local Warrnambool business, the Warrnambool Steam Packet Co. and continued trading from there as part of the local business community. The SS Edina’s original ‘fair maid of Judea’ figurehead was broken to pieces in a collision with another vessel (the SS Dandenong) in a gale off Warrnambool, Victoria, in 1870.Coloured (hand coloured) photographic postcard of SS Edina. Letter on reverse, hand written in pen and ink, from Mac to Arnie, dated 19-12-37 [1937]. The photograph shows the SS Edina moving under steam power, many people on both the bow and stern and a few people in the centre of the vessel. There are buildings on the shore in the background. The ship's configuration is dated post 1890.Hand written in pen on base of front “1854-1957” Hand written on back in blue pen and crossed out “REC 409” Hand written on back in pen ‘EDINA,’ “3173,” “086.2” Hand written letter dated 19-12-37, from Mac to Arnie. Script writing in pen and ink letter on reverse of photograph – see “Context” section for transcription. warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwrecked artefact, barclay & curle, figurehead 'fair maid of judea', centenary maritime exhibition 1934, a brief review of steam navigation in victoria, pleasure steamer edina, trade and travel late 19th and early 20th century, trade melbourne to geelong, screw steamer edina, coastal trader edina, lighter dinah, cargo carrying for cremean war, cargo carrying for american civil war, passenger and trade in western district of victoria, export gold and currency and gold diggers to new zealand, export vessel to h r h the duke of edinburgh, melbourne - warrnambool - port fairy - portland cargo run, warrnambool steam packet company, stephen henty, captain john thompson, chief engineer john davies, lady bay warrnambool, lighter edina, shipping victoria, port phillip bay steamers, steamship great britain, edina, vhr s199 victorian heritage database, photographic postcard of ss edina 1854-1957, letter by mac fordham chief engineer ss edina, letter to arnold mason, engineer

The Speedweve is a tiny darning loom advertised as ‘Lancashire’s smallest loom’. It was manufactured by E & A Chesstok Ltd of Rusholme, Manchester in 1947/48. It is basically a little loom for mending socks and holes in clothing. - This item was a common household item used a time when people still felt it worth the effort to darn socks.A metal Speedweve - a small darning tool.The slide at the top pushes back and forth making the 10 copper hooks rotate one way then the other. There would have been a wooden disc for keeping the fabric flat. top - SPEEDWEVEdomestic weaving loom

Wooden mushroom shaped object for fixing holes in socks. Handle is natural wood coloured with top is red with stamp on top. Handle screws off from top and contains storage space for needles.Hose Darning Stock, Registered Franz Kaaden, March 8BP 1893.domestic items, sewing, franz kaaden, sock repairer, wooden object, needle holder, personal effects.

Timber mushroom shape darning tooldarners, sewing equipment

3 wooden darning mushrooms used for darning socks, by placing under the hold of garment. Two brown wood, one painted green.darners, sewing equipment

Two darning mushrooms. One dark brown. One light brown.darners, sewing equipment