Home dressmaking pattern aimed at Newspaper readersC 1957 Newspaper Sun News Pictorial, Women's page Pattern of aprons'Another reliable dress pattern' from the special interest pages of the Sun News Pictorial, Melbournehome dressmaking

Many women in Australia sewed at home and Madame Weigel's patterns spanned nine decades, closing down in 1969. Simplicity and Butterick patterns are still made today. Simplicity was founded in 1927 in New York, Butterick is the oldest pattern company in the world, founded in 1863. One source states that Ebenezer Butterick is credited with creating the first multi-size sewing patterns in 1892. It is now been purchased by another company.15 Assorted dressmaking patterns: 11 from the 1960's and 70's, 3 vintage - Simplicity, Butterick, Style and Madame Weigel. One is a J & L Stretch Fabric Multi-Sized Family Pattern. The patterns are presented in paper packets with coloured pictures on the front depicting the items which can be made. Inside are tissue paper patterns with paper instructions. Pattern No 9196 has a yellow and white checked piece of material pinned to the front as a possible sample of the material used. The three vintage ones are Madame Weigel patterns, two for women and a child's one. All packets are worn through use and damaged.'Simplicity, Butterick, Style, Madame Weigel and J & l Stretch Fabric' patterns are printed at the top of the relevant patterns with appropriate illustrations of what can be made.sewing, sewing patterns, sewing equipment

Front and back covers of "Pauline paper patterns number 5116". This pattern is for a ladies' dress and 'bolero' jacket, drawing on front and instructions on back cover.An example of early 20th century clothing and sewing patternsDigital copy of front and back covers of dressmaking pattern.dressmaking patterns, patterns, dresses, clothing

A small vintage paper booklet with no cover 'Needlework Romance' - modern, exclusive needlework designs which are finding a growing place in the lives of everyone. It is filled with black lined illustrations and full descriptions of the many varieties of pattern ideas which could be ordered from The Sun News Pictorial in Melbourne for the price of 1/3 each. Patterns include Crotchet, Embroidery, Rugs, Doyleys, Toys, baby clothes and more. Pp.17. It is stapled together.non-fictionA small vintage paper booklet describing many varieties of needlework patterns which could be ordered through The Sun News-Pictorial Pattern Service Bureau in Melbourne. Readers were encouraged to 'watch for beautiful & exclusive needlework designs appearing in our paper regularly.' Details of how to order the patterns is given on the back of the booklet, along with the price, 1/3 each.dressmaking patterns, dressmaking equipment, sewing equipment, embroidery equipment, embroidery patterns, sewing patterns

Simplicity Pattern No 5605 - Jiffy Dress -girl Child size 6 - 2 main pattern dresses Loose fit, long or short sleeves Ruffled neck and sleevesSimplicity Dressmaking Pattern No. 5605 size 6 Jiffy dress- girls' dress Loose fitting - short and long sleeves Gathered Ruffled neck and sleevesSimplicity Patterned No 5605 Jiffy Dresschild's dress, dressmaking

Domestic dressmaking pattern for maternity dressC 1950's Long and short sleeved maternity dress patternVariousdressmaking in the home

Domestic dressmaking pattern for child's blazerC 1950's Weigel's Pattern No 1226 for child's blazerVariousdomestic dressmaking

Domestic dressmaking pattern for girl's nightdressC 1950's Weigel's Pattern No. 1289 - Girl's nightdress pattern X 2 styles, short and long sleevesVariousdomestic dressmaking

Gladys Reed was a member of the Ormond Choral Society c 1950. who performed plays and musicals the City of Moorabbin and she used these patterns to make clothes etc.for her family and the Choral Society. Madame Weigel who migrated to Melbourne in1877 with her husband Oscar; began publishing in 1878 and distributed paper patterns of the latest fashions, throughout Australia and New Zealand, She and Oscar became the first commercial manufacturers of paper patterns in Australasia, and to publish Weigel's Journal of Fashion (1880-1915) and Madame Weigel's Journal of Fashion (1915-1950). Madame Weigel had an enormous following of women who used her patterns across the generations, and across the life cycle from babies to 'matrons'. Madame Weigel died in 1940 aged 92 years. Finally, after 91 years of business and millions of patterns sold, Madame Weigel's paper pattern business closed in 1969.Gladys Reed was a member of the Ormond Choral Society c 1950. who performed plays and musicals in the City of Moorabbin and used these patterns for clothes etc for members of her family and the Choral Society. Madame Weigel was one of the most remarkable of early Australasian business women.A black and white booklet of 37 pages with advertisements, sketches, articles, photographs, knitting,crochet and tapestry instructions, dressmaking patterns and recipes. Volume LV111 pages 122 - 159 completeFront Cover ; Registered at the General Post Office Melbourne for transmission by post as a Newspaper / 4d / Published Monthly / MADAME / WEIGEL'S / JOURNAL OF FASHION / Vol LV111 No. 688 / A Delightful Home Journal / JUNE 1, 1937 / 58th YEAR OF PUBLICATION / Illustrated at Right - / Crocheted Cushion of / Unusual Design./popular Bed-Jacket. / ( Daisy Wheel Design) /Illustrated at Left - FREE Pattern ; / Lady's Costume Coat. / 34 Inches Bust Meas. Back Cover : Advertisement for Bushells Blue Label Tea / Printed and Published by Geo. Humphries for Madame Weigel Pty Ltd , Lennox and Rowena Sts., Richmond. Vic.haberdashery, cotton, lace, pillow cases, sheets, clothing, dressmaking, needlework, market gardens, dairy farms, lacework, craftwork, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, moorabbin, cheltenham,reed gladys, clark judy

Domestic dressmaking for Women's fashionFashion Cut Pattern No.5413 Bust 32" 1'11 Pattern in cream paper sleeve. Has picture of two models wearing dresses with flared skirtsAs abovewomen's fashion, dressmaking, paper patterns, 1950's, fashion cut pattern

Fashion Cut Pattern No.6142 2'3 Pattern in cream paper sleeve Has two models with dresses; one with long sleeves and one without.As abovefashion cut patterns, 1950's, dressmaking paper patterns

Domestic dressmaking pattern, illustrating underwear of the day.- C 1940's - Madame Weigel's Paper pattern No. 7108 - Paper pattern for woman's underwear - Instructions includedVariousdressmaking

Domestic dressmaking pattern, illustrating fashion of the day.- Circa 1950's - Women's dress pattern - long and short sleevesVariousdressmaking

Example of dressmaking pattern service offered by NewspaperC 1955 - Paper pattern from Newspaper (The Herold) Pattern service - Child's dress, petticoat & romper suit pattern - Suit ageThe Herald Pattern Service, Melbourne Paper pattern number and size etcdressmaking, paper pattern

Domestic dressmaking pattern illustrating children's fashion of the day.C 1950's - Girls (6-year-old) costume pattern - Paper pattern in paper sleeve - Instructions includedVariousdomestic dressmaking

- Domestic dressmaking pattern, illustrating children's fashion of the day.C 1950's - Girls'(6-year-old) Dress Pattern - Paper pattern in paper sleeve - Instructions includeddomestic dressmaking

Domestic dressmaking pattern, illustrating children's fashion of the day.C 1950s' - Girls (3-year-old) pleated skirt & bodice paper pattern - Instructions includedVariousclothing, home dressmaking

Domestic dressmaking pattern for child's wrap dress and pantiesC 1950's Weigel's paper pattern for a 4-year-old child's wrap dress and pantiesVariousdressmaking in the home

- Example of 1970's fashion - Example of domestic dressmaking patternsC 1970's - Simplicity Sewing Pattern No. 9957 size 12 - Flared skirt pattern - cut on bias - 2 skirt lengths - Patten for contour beltVarious, size, price, fabric requirements domestic dressmaking, dressmaking pattern

Example of 'couturier' or 'special' home dressmaking pattern, probably used for 'special occasions, i.e., wedding guest C 1950's - Stylish "designer" dress with 3/4 ruched or plain short sleeves - V neckline with ruching - "Dropped" waistline with ruching - Full gathered skirtVariouscouturier fashion, home dressmaking

Dressmaking Pattern 9536 Boy's overall - 2 years - 21 inch waist Cutting guide - 7 piecesHome Journal Pattern No. 9536 2-year-old boy's Overall - one piece 21-inch waist -7 pieces Shoulder straps Tucked at waist Suitable for ages 1-4 yearsHome Journal Pattern No. 9536 home dressmaking, boy's overall

McCalls Ladies Dressmaking Pattern No. 4295 Ladies short sleeved, belted dress Swing back coat - long sleeves- collarMcCalls Pattern No. 4295 size 12 Bust 32 Ladies short sleeved dress with belted waist Ladies swing backed coat, long sleeves, collar 18 pieceshome dressmaking

Dress patterns for making dresses.Dress pattern in white paper sleeve with picture of model in white dress with hat and model with pink dress. 'Very Easy Vogue Patterns" No. 7684 Size 14. Aust $4.25 N.Z. $3.75. On back is the amount of materials required to make the dress. Inside is pattern pieces.dressmaking, vogue, dress patterns

Dress patterns for making dressesDress pattern in off white paper sleeve with picture of model with red patterned dress and model with silver coloured dress. Vogue Pattern No. 9891 Size 12, Bust 32, Hip 34. Priced 75 cents Australia Price 4/10 with Sales Tax. 'No exchange", 'Easy to make' On back is the amount of materials required to make the dress. Inside is pattern pieces. on back No. 912 860dressmaking, vogur, dress patterns

Enid Beatrice Gilchrist (1917-2007) was a fashion designer best know for her development of self-drafting dressmaking patterns. Her patterns were first printed in "The Argus" in Melbourne in 1946 and were soon collected into books for the home sewer.A small cardboard box containing various two books and various baby wear transfers. The books are: "Clothes for your baby, designing, cutting and making" by Enid Gilchrist and "Baby book for mother, baby and child" Also in the box ten transfers, some in folders, some loose. Aileen and john Ellison Collection."Transfers" on lid of the boxbaby clothes, dressmaking, transfers

A Bi-Centennial Dress Pattern 0001 made by Lindie Ward for Power House Museum . It is a copy of a dress belonging to Isobel Hovell, the wife of the explorer William Hovell. Isobel died 1837. The original dress was made from yellow, satin -striped, cotton voile, printed with sprigs of flowers in lilac and greenThis Dress Pattern was made for the Bi-Centennial Celebrations at Power House Museum, Sydney in 1988c1988 A large paper envelope with printed design of dress c1837. Dressmaking tissue pattern pieces for dress are enclosed and a measurement scale is on the backFront of packet : BICENTENNIAL DRESS PATTERN / POWERHOUSE / 0001dressmaking, craft equipment, dress patterns, craftwork, sewing, hovell isobel, hovell william, ward lindie, bi-centennial celebrations, melbourne, moorabbin, victoria, new south wales, market gardneres, power house museum

Part of a selection of garments knitted by ‘Tina Knitwear’. Tina Knitwear was a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010, run by Assunta and Franco Liburti. Daughter Melissa Persi writes: Our parents Assunta (Mum) and Franco (Dad) Liburti ran a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010. Assunta was affectionately known to her family as Assuntina, therefore the business was named "Tina Knitwear" after her. Assunta and Franco were born in the beautiful seaside town of Terracina in Italy in 1933 and 1930 respectively. As was so common in Italy in the 1950s, Assunta who was in her late teens and early twenties learnt the intricate skills of machine knitting, dressmaking and pattern making. Franco on the other hand, learnt the building trade with his 2 brothers and specialised in bricklaying and tiling. As was so common after the war, Assunta and Franco yearned for a better life so they decided that they would get engaged and then migrate to Australia to be married and raise their family in Australia, a land of much opportunity which they no longer felt their beloved Italy held for them. Assunta migrated to Australia first in 1957 and later Franco joined her in 1958 where they were married. For the first few years, Franco (also known as Frank) worked as bricklayer /tiler on buildings such as the Robert Menzies building at Monash University in Clayton and various buildings in the Melbourne CBD. Assunta on the other hand put her machine knitting skills to use working in factories doing piece machine knitting for various knitwear companies. The hours were long, the conditions were difficult, and travel was onerous without a car. After their 2 older children were born, it was decided that dad would leave the building trade and they would start their own made to order knitwear business. That way they could work from home and raise their family together. Mum taught dad everything he needed to know so he could operate the knitwear machinery. They purchased COPPO knitting machines from Italy and a Linking machine from Germany. Initially they had a knitwear shopfront in Bay Street Brighton where a store assistant would take the orders and client’s measurements and Assunta would then make the garments from a small workshop in their home. Unfortunately, the assistants were not skilled dressmakers and often measurements and orders were incorrectly taken. Assunta being the perfectionist and highly skilled machinist that she was, decided that she needed to oversee the entire process from meeting the client, to taking their order, right thru to the fittings and completion of the garment. It therefore made sense that they should close the shop front and run their business from their own home in Brighton and hence “Tina Knitwear” was born. Together, for more than 40 years they ran their very respected and successful business and were well known in the Bayside area. They specialised in made to order knitwear for both men and women using mainly pure wool (from Patons, Wangaratta Mills, Japan and Italy) but also lurex and estacel. Over those years, many of their clients became their close friends. It wasn't unusual for clients to come to order garments and then end up in the kitchen chatting over a cup of Italian espresso coffee and homemade biscuits. Some of their clients were especially memorable and became lifelong friends. Mrs Connell was a dear friend of mum’s, each year she would buy tickets for the “Gown of the Year” fashion show. She would insist on taking Assunta and her 2 daughters so that we could see the latest fashions. Then there was their dear friend Ms Griffiths. She had been a Matron nurse at the Queen Victoria Hospital when she met my parents in the 1970s. She returned to live in New Zealand in the 1980s but came back to Melbourne every year to stay for 2 weeks with the sole purpose of visiting my parents (she adored them) and order garments. For those 2 solid weeks, mum and dad would only knit for Ms Griffiths and she would go back to New Zealand with at least 5 or 6 new outfits. I actually think she enjoyed mum’s homemade pasta almost as much as her new clothes! Over the years, my parents learnt to speak English very well given that majority of their clients were not Italian speaking. Their oldest child John born in 1960 learnt to speak English with the help of those clients who were such a big part of our childhood. Mum and dad always went above and beyond to ensure their clients were satisfied. Mum was an absolute perfectionist and it showed in her attention to detail and the quality of their beautiful work. You only need to look at the garments that have stood the test of time or speak to their clients to know that this is true. Their clients would always comment on how well their clothes would last and much of their clients came via word of mouth and recommendations. Occasionally there would be disagreements because mum had found an error in dad's knitting (either a wrong stitch or a sizing mistake mainly) and would ask him to redo a piece, he would argue back saying that it was fine, but we always knew who would win the argument and that the piece would get remade! Similarly, we recall discussions where mum would ask dad to find a particular colour of wool in the garage where the stock was kept. He would try to convince her that they were out of stock of that colour and that the client should choose a different colour. She would insist they had it and then after hours of searching, he would return into the house sheepishly holding the wool! Our childhood is full of beautiful memories of mum and dad always being present, clients coming and going, mum humming her favourite songs as she worked often late into the night and sometimes, we even fell asleep to the hum of the machinery. They put their heart and soul into "Tina Knitwear" and took pride in providing only the best quality garments for their clients. In Italian there is a saying “lei ha le mani d’oro” which literally translated means “she has hands of gold”. Franco enjoyed his work but for Assunta, it was more than just work and there is no better way to describe her skills, passion and dedication to her machine knitting… she truly did have “hands of gold”. We will forever be grateful that our parents’ life journey gave us the opportunity to live in a home filled with creativity, dedication and passion, amazing work ethic and mutual respect, lifelong friendships and a lifetime of love. Red ribbed skirt with elastic waistband.knitwear, clothing, italy, migrants, brighton, knitting machine, linking machine, garments, business, family, community

Part of a selection of garments knitted by ‘Tina Knitwear’. Tina Knitwear was a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010, run by Assunta and Franco Liburti. Daughter Melissa Persi writes: Our parents Assunta (Mum) and Franco (Dad) Liburti ran a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010. Assunta was affectionately known to her family as Assuntina, therefore the business was named "Tina Knitwear" after her. Assunta and Franco were born in the beautiful seaside town of Terracina in Italy in 1933 and 1930 respectively. As was so common in Italy in the 1950s, Assunta who was in her late teens and early twenties learnt the intricate skills of machine knitting, dressmaking and pattern making. Franco on the other hand, learnt the building trade with his 2 brothers and specialised in bricklaying and tiling. As was so common after the war, Assunta and Franco yearned for a better life so they decided that they would get engaged and then migrate to Australia to be married and raise their family in Australia, a land of much opportunity which they no longer felt their beloved Italy held for them. Assunta migrated to Australia first in 1957 and later Franco joined her in 1958 where they were married. For the first few years, Franco (also known as Frank) worked as bricklayer /tiler on buildings such as the Robert Menzies building at Monash University in Clayton and various buildings in the Melbourne CBD. Assunta on the other hand put her machine knitting skills to use working in factories doing piece machine knitting for various knitwear companies. The hours were long, the conditions were difficult, and travel was onerous without a car. After their 2 older children were born, it was decided that dad would leave the building trade and they would start their own made to order knitwear business. That way they could work from home and raise their family together. Mum taught dad everything he needed to know so he could operate the knitwear machinery. They purchased COPPO knitting machines from Italy and a Linking machine from Germany. Initially they had a knitwear shopfront in Bay Street Brighton where a store assistant would take the orders and client’s measurements and Assunta would then make the garments from a small workshop in their home. Unfortunately, the assistants were not skilled dressmakers and often measurements and orders were incorrectly taken. Assunta being the perfectionist and highly skilled machinist that she was, decided that she needed to oversee the entire process from meeting the client, to taking their order, right thru to the fittings and completion of the garment. It therefore made sense that they should close the shop front and run their business from their own home in Brighton and hence “Tina Knitwear” was born. Together, for more than 40 years they ran their very respected and successful business and were well known in the Bayside area. They specialised in made to order knitwear for both men and women using mainly pure wool (from Patons, Wangaratta Mills, Japan and Italy) but also lurex and estacel. Over those years, many of their clients became their close friends. It wasn't unusual for clients to come to order garments and then end up in the kitchen chatting over a cup of Italian espresso coffee and homemade biscuits. Some of their clients were especially memorable and became lifelong friends. Mrs Connell was a dear friend of mum’s, each year she would buy tickets for the “Gown of the Year” fashion show. She would insist on taking Assunta and her 2 daughters so that we could see the latest fashions. Then there was their dear friend Ms Griffiths. She had been a Matron nurse at the Queen Victoria Hospital when she met my parents in the 1970s. She returned to live in New Zealand in the 1980s but came back to Melbourne every year to stay for 2 weeks with the sole purpose of visiting my parents (she adored them) and order garments. For those 2 solid weeks, mum and dad would only knit for Ms Griffiths and she would go back to New Zealand with at least 5 or 6 new outfits. I actually think she enjoyed mum’s homemade pasta almost as much as her new clothes! Over the years, my parents learnt to speak English very well given that majority of their clients were not Italian speaking. Their oldest child John born in 1960 learnt to speak English with the help of those clients who were such a big part of our childhood. Mum and dad always went above and beyond to ensure their clients were satisfied. Mum was an absolute perfectionist and it showed in her attention to detail and the quality of their beautiful work. You only need to look at the garments that have stood the test of time or speak to their clients to know that this is true. Their clients would always comment on how well their clothes would last and much of their clients came via word of mouth and recommendations. Occasionally there would be disagreements because mum had found an error in dad's knitting (either a wrong stitch or a sizing mistake mainly) and would ask him to redo a piece, he would argue back saying that it was fine, but we always knew who would win the argument and that the piece would get remade! Similarly, we recall discussions where mum would ask dad to find a particular colour of wool in the garage where the stock was kept. He would try to convince her that they were out of stock of that colour and that the client should choose a different colour. She would insist they had it and then after hours of searching, he would return into the house sheepishly holding the wool! Our childhood is full of beautiful memories of mum and dad always being present, clients coming and going, mum humming her favourite songs as she worked often late into the night and sometimes, we even fell asleep to the hum of the machinery. They put their heart and soul into "Tina Knitwear" and took pride in providing only the best quality garments for their clients. In Italian there is a saying “lei ha le mani d’oro” which literally translated means “she has hands of gold”. Franco enjoyed his work but for Assunta, it was more than just work and there is no better way to describe her skills, passion and dedication to her machine knitting… she truly did have “hands of gold”. We will forever be grateful that our parents’ life journey gave us the opportunity to live in a home filled with creativity, dedication and passion, amazing work ethic and mutual respect, lifelong friendships and a lifetime of love. Red wide ribbed pleated skirt with a plain yoke, navy blue band at bottom edge and elasticated waistband. A purple x is located inside to mark centre back of skirt.knitwear, clothing, italy, migrants, brighton, knitting machine, linking machine, garments, business, family, community

Franco Liburti was wearing this coat when he farewelled his wife Assunta in Naples, Italy in 1957, the day she departed for Australia. Tina Knitwear was a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010, run by Assunta and Franco Liburti. Daughter Melissa Persi writes: Our parents Assunta (Mum) and Franco (Dad) Liburti ran a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010. Assunta was affectionately known to her family as Assuntina, therefore the business was named "Tina Knitwear" after her. Assunta and Franco were born in the beautiful seaside town of Terracina in Italy in 1933 and 1930 respectively. As was so common in Italy in the 1950s, Assunta who was in her late teens and early twenties learnt the intricate skills of machine knitting, dressmaking and pattern making. Franco on the other hand, learnt the building trade with his 2 brothers and specialised in bricklaying and tiling. As was so common after the war, Assunta and Franco yearned for a better life so they decided that they would get engaged and then migrate to Australia to be married and raise their family in Australia, a land of much opportunity which they no longer felt their beloved Italy held for them. Assunta migrated to Australia first in 1957 and later Franco joined her in 1958 where they were married. For the first few years, Franco (also known as Frank) worked as bricklayer /tiler on buildings such as the Robert Menzies building at Monash University in Clayton and various buildings in the Melbourne CBD. Assunta on the other hand put her machine knitting skills to use working in factories doing piece machine knitting for various knitwear companies. The hours were long, the conditions were difficult, and travel was onerous without a car. After their 2 older children were born, it was decided that dad would leave the building trade and they would start their own made to order knitwear business. That way they could work from home and raise their family together. Mum taught dad everything he needed to know so he could operate the knitwear machinery. They purchased COPPO knitting machines from Italy and a Linking machine from Germany. Initially they had a knitwear shopfront in Bay Street Brighton where a store assistant would take the orders and client’s measurements and Assunta would then make the garments from a small workshop in their home. Unfortunately, the assistants were not skilled dressmakers and often measurements and orders were incorrectly taken. Assunta being the perfectionist and highly skilled machinist that she was, decided that she needed to oversee the entire process from meeting the client, to taking their order, right thru to the fittings and completion of the garment. It therefore made sense that they should close the shop front and run their business from their own home in Brighton and hence “Tina Knitwear” was born. Together, for more than 40 years they ran their very respected and successful business and were well known in the Bayside area. They specialised in made to order knitwear for both men and women using mainly pure wool (from Patons, Wangaratta Mills, Japan and Italy) but also lurex and estacel. Over those years, many of their clients became their close friends. It wasn't unusual for clients to come to order garments and then end up in the kitchen chatting over a cup of Italian espresso coffee and homemade biscuits. Some of their clients were especially memorable and became lifelong friends. Mrs Connell was a dear friend of mum’s, each year she would buy tickets for the “Gown of the Year” fashion show. She would insist on taking Assunta and her 2 daughters so that we could see the latest fashions. Then there was their dear friend Ms Griffiths. She had been a Matron nurse at the Queen Victoria Hospital when she met my parents in the 1970s. She returned to live in New Zealand in the 1980s but came back to Melbourne every year to stay for 2 weeks with the sole purpose of visiting my parents (she adored them) and order garments. For those 2 solid weeks, mum and dad would only knit for Ms Griffiths and she would go back to New Zealand with at least 5 or 6 new outfits. I actually think she enjoyed mum’s homemade pasta almost as much as her new clothes! Over the years, my parents learnt to speak English very well given that majority of their clients were not Italian speaking. Their oldest child John born in 1960 learnt to speak English with the help of those clients who were such a big part of our childhood. Mum and dad always went above and beyond to ensure their clients were satisfied. Mum was an absolute perfectionist and it showed in her attention to detail and the quality of their beautiful work. You only need to look at the garments that have stood the test of time or speak to their clients to know that this is true. Their clients would always comment on how well their clothes would last and much of their clients came via word of mouth and recommendations. Occasionally there would be disagreements because mum had found an error in dad's knitting (either a wrong stitch or a sizing mistake mainly) and would ask him to redo a piece, he would argue back saying that it was fine, but we always knew who would win the argument and that the piece would get remade! Similarly, we recall discussions where mum would ask dad to find a particular colour of wool in the garage where the stock was kept. He would try to convince her that they were out of stock of that colour and that the client should choose a different colour. She would insist they had it and then after hours of searching, he would return into the house sheepishly holding the wool! Our childhood is full of beautiful memories of mum and dad always being present, clients coming and going, mum humming her favourite songs as she worked often late into the night and sometimes, we even fell asleep to the hum of the machinery. They put their heart and soul into "Tina Knitwear" and took pride in providing only the best quality garments for their clients. In Italian there is a saying “lei ha le mani d’oro” which literally translated means “she has hands of gold”. Franco enjoyed his work but for Assunta, it was more than just work and there is no better way to describe her skills, passion and dedication to her machine knitting… she truly did have “hands of gold”. We will forever be grateful that our parents’ life journey gave us the opportunity to live in a home filled with creativity, dedication and passion, amazing work ethic and mutual respect, lifelong friendships and a lifetime of love. Men's coat featuring a charcoal herringbone weave, with three buttons down the front and on each sleeve cuff.knitwear, clothing, italy, migrants, brighton, knitting machine, linking machine, garments, business, family, community, naples

Part of a selection of garments knitted by ‘Tina Knitwear’. Tina Knitwear was a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010, run by Assunta and Franco Liburti. Daughter Melissa Persi writes: Our parents Assunta (Mum) and Franco (Dad) Liburti ran a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010. Assunta was affectionately known to her family as Assuntina, therefore the business was named "Tina Knitwear" after her. Assunta and Franco were born in the beautiful seaside town of Terracina in Italy in 1933 and 1930 respectively. As was so common in Italy in the 1950s, Assunta who was in her late teens and early twenties learnt the intricate skills of machine knitting, dressmaking and pattern making. Franco on the other hand, learnt the building trade with his 2 brothers and specialised in bricklaying and tiling. As was so common after the war, Assunta and Franco yearned for a better life so they decided that they would get engaged and then migrate to Australia to be married and raise their family in Australia, a land of much opportunity which they no longer felt their beloved Italy held for them. Assunta migrated to Australia first in 1957 and later Franco joined her in 1958 where they were married. For the first few years, Franco (also known as Frank) worked as bricklayer /tiler on buildings such as the Robert Menzies building at Monash University in Clayton and various buildings in the Melbourne CBD. Assunta on the other hand put her machine knitting skills to use working in factories doing piece machine knitting for various knitwear companies. The hours were long, the conditions were difficult, and travel was onerous without a car. After their 2 older children were born, it was decided that dad would leave the building trade and they would start their own made to order knitwear business. That way they could work from home and raise their family together. Mum taught dad everything he needed to know so he could operate the knitwear machinery. They purchased COPPO knitting machines from Italy and a Linking machine from Germany. Initially they had a knitwear shopfront in Bay Street Brighton where a store assistant would take the orders and client’s measurements and Assunta would then make the garments from a small workshop in their home. Unfortunately, the assistants were not skilled dressmakers and often measurements and orders were incorrectly taken. Assunta being the perfectionist and highly skilled machinist that she was, decided that she needed to oversee the entire process from meeting the client, to taking their order, right thru to the fittings and completion of the garment. It therefore made sense that they should close the shop front and run their business from their own home in Brighton and hence “Tina Knitwear” was born. Together, for more than 40 years they ran their very respected and successful business and were well known in the Bayside area. They specialised in made to order knitwear for both men and women using mainly pure wool (from Patons, Wangaratta Mills, Japan and Italy) but also lurex and estacel. Over those years, many of their clients became their close friends. It wasn't unusual for clients to come to order garments and then end up in the kitchen chatting over a cup of Italian espresso coffee and homemade biscuits. Some of their clients were especially memorable and became lifelong friends. Mrs Connell was a dear friend of mum’s, each year she would buy tickets for the “Gown of the Year” fashion show. She would insist on taking Assunta and her 2 daughters so that we could see the latest fashions. Then there was their dear friend Ms Griffiths. She had been a Matron nurse at the Queen Victoria Hospital when she met my parents in the 1970s. She returned to live in New Zealand in the 1980s but came back to Melbourne every year to stay for 2 weeks with the sole purpose of visiting my parents (she adored them) and order garments. For those 2 solid weeks, mum and dad would only knit for Ms Griffiths and she would go back to New Zealand with at least 5 or 6 new outfits. I actually think she enjoyed mum’s homemade pasta almost as much as her new clothes! Over the years, my parents learnt to speak English very well given that majority of their clients were not Italian speaking. Their oldest child John born in 1960 learnt to speak English with the help of those clients who were such a big part of our childhood. Mum and dad always went above and beyond to ensure their clients were satisfied. Mum was an absolute perfectionist and it showed in her attention to detail and the quality of their beautiful work. You only need to look at the garments that have stood the test of time or speak to their clients to know that this is true. Their clients would always comment on how well their clothes would last and much of their clients came via word of mouth and recommendations. Occasionally there would be disagreements because mum had found an error in dad's knitting (either a wrong stitch or a sizing mistake mainly) and would ask him to redo a piece, he would argue back saying that it was fine, but we always knew who would win the argument and that the piece would get remade! Similarly, we recall discussions where mum would ask dad to find a particular colour of wool in the garage where the stock was kept. He would try to convince her that they were out of stock of that colour and that the client should choose a different colour. She would insist they had it and then after hours of searching, he would return into the house sheepishly holding the wool! Our childhood is full of beautiful memories of mum and dad always being present, clients coming and going, mum humming her favourite songs as she worked often late into the night and sometimes, we even fell asleep to the hum of the machinery. They put their heart and soul into "Tina Knitwear" and took pride in providing only the best quality garments for their clients. In Italian there is a saying “lei ha le mani d’oro” which literally translated means “she has hands of gold”. Franco enjoyed his work but for Assunta, it was more than just work and there is no better way to describe her skills, passion and dedication to her machine knitting… she truly did have “hands of gold”. We will forever be grateful that our parents’ life journey gave us the opportunity to live in a home filled with creativity, dedication and passion, amazing work ethic and mutual respect, lifelong friendships and a lifetime of love. Red and green plaid children's pinafore with green hem binding and in-built petticoat with lace edging.knitwear, clothing, italy, migrants, brighton, knitting machine, linking machine, garments, business, family, community