This corset cover 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. This corset cover is an excellent example of an everyday clothing item with the decorative trim favoured by women in the late Victorian era. Eliza Towns has added pintucks, embroidered feather stitch and a highly decorative hand crocheted lace trim to the neckline, sleeves and front of the bodice. Corset covers (sometimes called camisoles) began to appear in women's fashion around 1840 and continued through the late Victorian decades into the Edwardian era. The long chemise was considered too bulky to cover the corset and so the corset cover was developed to be short and light and was worn over the corset and under the bodice of the outer garment. A woman would dress into her chemise and drawers first, followed by her corset and finally her corset cover as a final layer under her dress. Corset covers served several purposes. They provided protection against sweat (and the need to regularly wash the corset), helped smooth the lines of the corset and increased a woman's modesty.This item is an example of the needlework skills of women in the late 19th century - combining machine stitching with hand embroidery and crochet to embellish an item of personal underclothing. It is also significant as an example of a practical solution to the difficulty of hand washing a corset in the Victorian era.A short (waist length) corset cover of fine cotton. Short sleeves fall from a square neckline and are gathered into a wide crocheted lace trim with a band of embroidered feather stitch. The same crocheted lace design and feather stitching are also on the square neckline which is finished with a drawstring ribbon. The bodice has a front opening with five buttons and is bordered on each side with four pintucks. It has a drawstring ribbon at the waist and an extra layer of fine cotton lining has been added to strengthen the corset cover under the arms. The back has two bands of three pintucks running vertically from the neckline to the waist.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, nhill, wimmera, eliza towns, underclothing, corset cover, camisole, machine sewing, hand sewing, crocheted lace, pintucks, feather stitch, embroidery, underwear, victorian era underclothing, victorian era corset cover

This apron 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 - adding her own handmade embroidered or crocheted decorative trim. In March 1915 Eliza travelled to San Francisco to visit her son, James. She went by train to Melbourne ("a pleasant journey on the up express') and the next day caught the express train to Sydney. She noted in her letters home that a " number of young men were going to Sydney to enlist but they had to stop in the corridors most of the way as there was no room for them to sit down". She spent the night on the train and arrived in Sydney the next morning and on the following day she boarded the R.M.S. "Moana" (a steamer which took about twenty-four days to reach San Francisco). She returned from Vancouver about five months later on board the "Manuka". It is very likely Eliza took this "Travelling Apron" with her on her travels. Eliza was travelling by herself and had no one to help her with her dress or her hair. "Travelling Aprons" (also known as Toilet Aprons or Tourist Aprons) were designed with different sized pockets for holding a lady's toiletries - hairbrush, hair pins, comb and sometimes even soap and a powder puff. This allowed the owner, when travelling and getting dressed in small places such as an overnight train compartment or a ship's cabin, to have all her requirements at hand without needing to search for them or have them roll onto the floor. Some of the pockets are finished with buttoned flaps to keep the items in place and when not in use, the apron could be hung up or rolled up and put away. Articles about the "Traveller's Apron" appeared in numerous Women's columns in Australian newspapers in the early 20th century - often with instructions and sometimes a pattern. In the "Age" on Sat 5th October 1907 in a column titled "Feminine Facts and Fancies" the author wrote "No man can appreciate the difficulties of dressing in a "wobbly" train or trying to do one's hair while a ship is weathering a storm". A year earlier (Saturday 24th March 1906) in the same column, the author wrote "... you have to spend nights in a train... forever struggling to dress yourself in a wretched little lavatory. You know how your hairpins and combs jump all over the place ... a train is always at its liveliest when you're trying to do your hair. My travelling apron saved me many a rage."This item is an example of the needlework skills of women in the early 20th century - combining machine stitching with hand embroidery to personalise and embellish a practical domestic object. It is also an excellent (and rare) example of an early 20th century innovation that helped solve the difficulties of privacy and convenience that many women experienced at a time when travel was becoming more accessible to them. A half apron, made of ivory linen with two waist ties and seven pockets. Along the top are two smaller pockets with triangular, buttoned flaps labelled "Hairpins" and "Nailbrush" and one larger unlabelled pocket. Underneath are two larger pockets labelled "Brush & Comb" and "Work" and two unlabelled narrow pockets. The seams are machine stitched and the pockets are outlined with hand embroidered feather stitch. The labels on the pockets are embroidered in stem stitch."Hairpins" / "Nailbrush" / "Brush and Comb" / "Work"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, nhill, eliza towns, apron, travelling apron, tourist apron, textiles, toilet apron, sewing, embroidery, travel, warrnambool, great ocean road, trains, ships, moana, manuka, feather stitch, stem stitch, fashion, handmade, clothing, charles towns, needlework

This white, cotton child’s pinafore is an example of the dressmaking skills and craftsmanship of the women of the pioneer settlers families in Moorabbin Shire c1900Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the dressmaking skills and craftsmanship of the women of these familiesA white, cotton ,small child's pinafore with pin-tucking, feather stitch, lace and embroiderybrighton, moorabbin, pioneers, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, clothing dressmaking

Maker unknown. Given by a Daylesford community member to the Running Stitch Group.Quilt with feather stitching around green squares. Pattern of cricketers, lions and kangaroos on backing.quilting, quilting history, running stitch group, running stitch collection, quilting - history

Contemporary Ahir style embroidery purchased by the donor from the embroiderer, Mrs Sofia Natemitha Mutna of Dhordo Village near Bhuj in Gujarat, India in January 2012.Contemporary Ahir style embroidery. A circular design in silk thread in red, blue, green, orange, yellow, pink and white on a black synthetic ground. Stitches are chain, running stitch, feather stitch and shisha work. Feather stitch is in a variegated thread.india, embroidery, india, shisha

Hand knitted cream wool shawl. Garter stitch centre. Deep fan and feather stitch border.costume, infants'

Gift of the late Mrs Lily Louch, Murrumbeena in 16/8/1979.Crazy patchwork is an improvisational quilting technique that uses irregularly shaped fabric scraps, often luxury materials like velvet and silk, sewn onto a foundation block. Popularized in the 1880s, it features asymmetrical designs, and intense, decorative embroidery along seams.Crazy patchwork with large irregular patches of coloured brocade and velvet joined with feather stitching in suitable colours.embroidery, tea cosies, patchwork, late 19th century

From the Betty Jones collection. Doily would have been used during the 1900's as a decorative itemSmall round white hand-crocheted doily with white damask centre. Crochet is attached to centre with feather stitchdomestic items, ornaments / decorative

Made and embroidered by Phoebe Lewell as a school project when she was 16years old. It was acquired through the Webster family of Vermont, when Bruce Reynolds was selling some items for them. It was subsequently donated to the Society by Bruce Reynolds.White cotton baby frock smocked in blue at yoke and sleeves, with blue feather stitch around yoke and neck.costume, children's

Square bag made of silk patches with the joins covered in feather stitch. Drawer strings through plastic rings.patchwork, bags, 1920-40

Photograph which accompanies this garment shows the apron being worn by Christina Thomson Ball - nee Somerville.Fine white lawn with decorative lace and gathered centre panel. Lace round armholes. Decorated with fine feather stitching.embroidery, whitework, 1900-20, aprons

Found by Donor in her grandmother's work box. Thought to be made by Edith Maud Strachan, donor's grandmother.Triangle of yellow silk ribbon cigar bands joined together with rows of feather stitching, backed with fine yellow cotton.patchwork, fragment, late 19th century, australia

Patchwork quilt consisting of small hexagons, printed and woven cottons with red cotton border. Embroidered with feather stitch. Backed with cottonhandcrafts, needlework, manchester, bedding

This cotton baby's nightgown 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 Maggs family were early settlers in 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 long white cotton infant's Christening or 'walking-out' dress. The neckline and short sleeves have broderie anglais trim. Bodice has extensive cut-work and hand embroidered feather-stitching. There is further hand-embroidered feather-stitching around the waist band. The skirt of the garment has pin-tucking and lower borders of further cut-work The garment is in good condition.clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dendy henry, market gardeners, baptism, dressmakers, craft work, maggs nance

Deep band of machine made broderie anglais in a feather pattern, with some tucks, Yoke has bands of machine embroidered insertion sewn with Feather stitch.embroidery, whitework, garments, 1900-20, england, broderie anglais

This underskirt was very likely made from a cut-down christening gown bodice removed and waistband added.White cotton with panels of insertions in a design of acorns and oak leaves, joined by feather stitching. Skirt also has much pin tucking. Wings at the sides.embroidery, whitework, garments, late 19th century

From collection of Betty McPheeWhite doyley. Linen centre, 5 cm square, decorated with white feather stitch. Crochet of square design to make up diamond shaped doyleyhandcrafts, crocheting or crochet work, manchester, table linen

This white, cotton, baby's pinafore with hand crochet work is and 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 cotton infant's pinafore, with hand crochet work around armholes, and lower edge of garment. Feather stitch embroidery, and pin-tucking on bodice. Waist ties.clothing, crochet work, moorabbin, bentleigh, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, dendy special survey, brighton pioneers

White linen tea cosy with a row of feather stitch on the hem. The curve of cosy is joined with a crochet medallions to create an open decorative edge, attached to linen with buttonhole stitch.crochet, embroidery, tea cosy

Ecru coloured crochet doyley with 11 medallions joined with hand crochet lace. 11cm diameter linen centre. One row of feather stitch around edge of linen.handcrafts, crocheting or crochet work, manchester, table linen

Lawn, with a long shaped front panel of machine embroidered insertion, edging and lace and tucking, all joined with feather stitching. Wings go over the sleeves to form a collar at the back.embroidery, whitework, christening gown, late 19th century, ireland

This white fine lawn girls pinafore is an example of the dressmaking skills of the wives of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin Shire 1900. 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 girl's sleeveless pinafore. Guipure lace frill around armholes, neck and hem. Guipure lace insert to bodice and feather-stitch embroidery to skirt. Waist ties.moorabbin, brighton, pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, home, dressmaker, garments, craftwork

The quilt, alternatively known as a wagga due to its improvised nature of creation, was made by Harry Walter Hewitt Wilton (great grandfather of donor), b.1872, d.1950. Harry joined the Essex Regiment and served in the British Military in India, as well as seeing action in the Boer War. Married wife Mary Elizabeth in India in 1895, she was a seamstress. Harry was injured during a battle and made this quilt as part of his rehabilitation. Quilt was made using woollen army singlets. Harry and Mary moved to Victoria, near Orbost, in 1914. Patchwork style quilt with coloured pieces of dyed woolen singlets stitched together over a backing. Features feather stitching between pieces and around border edges. Size of a double bed.harry walter hewitt wilton, wagga, essex regiment, british military, india, boer war, mary elizabeth, sewing, quilting, quilt, rehabilitation, army, orbost

White muslin camisole with diagonal bands of drawn thread work. The muslin between bands is decorated with fine feather stitching. Neck and armhole are decorated with fine bobbin lace. Back is plain.embroidery, drawn thread, whitework, garments, 1900-20

1950'sAlternating squares of red and navy linen. Each square is embroidered with an identical motif in red, white and blue machine chain stitches. Squares are joined with rows of double feather stitch, by hand.embroidery, patchwork, cushions

The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire were very committed to their religious observances. The meetings and celebrations of religious rites gave them companionship and support during the difficult times of establishing their market gardens. The craftsmanship and skills of the families is shown in the clothing they made. The skill and craftsmanship shown in this christening - baptism - gown is and example of the clothing made by the pioneer settlers and market gardeners in Moorabbin Shire. The Maggs family were early settlers of this areaBaby's long, white cotton christening gown, with hand-embroidered feather stitch and very fancy extensive cut-work to the bodice and skirt. Short sleeves with scalloped edges. c1900. Good condition.clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, bentleigh, dressmaking, dendy henry, market gardeners, maggs geoff, craftwork, christening gown

Donated by Joan Stewart who made it for her children in 1950sCream viyella smocked baby's coat. Cream silk smocking on sleeve, also on two front panels and across back. Feather stitching on edge of collar and sleeves. Four pearl buttons down front.costume, infants'

Cream winter cotton fabric with 8 cm deep bands of smocking on front and back. The collar is edged with feather stitching and lace. The sleeves have a narrow band of smocking and a buttonholed edge. A band of shamrocks decorates the hem.embroidery, garments, childrens, late 19th century, smocking, ireland

Sampler worked by Rose Alice Taylor and finished in 1902. This sampler consists of 14 panels demonstrating embroidery and dress making techniques, joined with strips of knitted lace and backed with pale green satin attached with feather stitch.Rose Taylor Aged 11 St. Thomas' G. School, Portman Square, June 1902embroidery, samplers, knitted lace