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

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

Darning 'mushrooms' were used to repair any woollen garment, such as socks, jumpers and ladies cotton or Lyle stockings. This darning tool was an essential item in pioneer household as the early settlers had to make and repair all their clothing.A timber 'mushroom' shaped darning tool sewing, dressmaking, craftwork, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin, brighton

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

Made by internee at Compound A Camp 3 Tatura VictoriaDarning mushroom made from turned wood and polished. Comes with a sewing box. (see C0219).

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

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

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 implement for use when darning socks, turned wood with printed name and address on top.Reg Franz Kaaden March 3rd 1893 137 Victoria Street East Brunswickhandcrafts, needlework equipment, darning

Belonged to donor's mother-in-law, the late Mrs Doris Keene.Wooden instrument with rounded end and wooden handle used for darning.domestic items, sewing

Wooden mushroom used for darning socks, stockings, etc, timber turned in shape of a mushroom with removable top.handcrafts, needlework equipment, darning

Date made approx early 1800'sTravelling Sewing Machine. G clamp. Spanner/Screwdriver. Darning Mushroom. Darning Needle [knitting needle converted to sewing tool. Tension Spring. Darning foot. Sewing foot. Embroidery Sample. NeedlebookW B Moore 51 Grafton St Dublin Patent 1870. VR and crown on plate screw. Underneath base Miss L Kenny.sewing machine, travel, sewing accesories

Timber mushroom shape darning tooldarners, sewing equipment

The handmade basket has a variety of pieces of vintage sewing items as listed in the detailed Description. These would have been used in the home for repairs as well as pieces sewn. Mrs Pratt owned the sewing basket and it's contents - she lived in Beenak Road, Wandin, Victoria.An open rectangular shaped cane woven sewing basket with three bands of green and tan raffia woven around the sides. It had a lid which is missing but there is one twisted wire loop where the lid would have been attached. Inside are various pieces of vintage sewing items including; large and small cotton reels with cotton thread, very small cotton cardboard reels with thread, plastic container of pins, a handmade wooden darning mushroom, a brightly coloured tin of pins and needles, two short zips, a piece of embroidery material stamped with a pansy pattern to sew, a Birch brand packet of sewing needles, a Delyta brand "Nu-Bras" Brassiere Repair Set, two "Mendex" Cuff Savers for Men's Trousers, a Happy Home Needle Book with a few needles, and a paper pattern for Cross Stitch. See above for the brands and details of the sewing items included in the basket.containers, sewing, baskets, sewing equipment

Wooden mushroom used for darning may be gloves from Patrice Jennings' grandmother's collection.Small wooden mushroom used for darning small items such as gloves.darning, wood, jennings patrice, elsie doris whitten

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.