Kathryn Knitwear, founded by Robert Blake, manufactured high quality children’s knitwear in Melbourne from the 1940s – 1980s. Robert Blake began manufacturing children’s knitwear in his bedroom in Strathmore using a hand powered machine in the late 1940s. The operation moved to Ascot Vale and Essendon, before eventually establishing a factory in Moonee Ponds in the early 1950s. The business continued to expand, necessitating a move to a new factory in Broadmeadows. By 1962, the Broadmeadows factory was producing an average of 20,000 garments per month, which increased to 24,000 by 1964. Robert Blake’s Son, Brendan recalls that “The Kathryn brand was famous around Australia, anywhere children needed to keep warm and dress smartly. It also won a number of wool fashion awards”, including the 1969 Wool Awards, which was held by the Australian Wool Bureau and published in Women’s Weekly. The Kathryn range was designed for durability, comfort and care, without sacrificing style. They used patterning techniques that increase stretchiness, comfort and fit, as well as integrating decorative elements into the fabric to prevent them from being bulky, uncomfortable or tight. Making longevity of style a priority, Brendan Blake remembers that “there was one particular garment that was in the range for at least thirty years”. He also recalls “In the past, when women have found out that I was associated with Kathryn Knitwear, they would often relate to me the story of a garment they had purchased or received as a gift and, when their child had grown out of it, they would hand it on to another child. Several ladies have told me of purchasing garments for their daughters’ glory box, or saving a particular garment after their daughter had grown out of it. Brendan Blake: “At the peak of their operation they employed approximately two hundred people, mainly women and girls. A family would often seek to send their daughter to work in this company because they knew they would be looked after and safe. One lady wrote to me telling me that working at the Moonee Ponds Factory prior to getting married was the happiest time of her life.” In 1963, workers at the Kathryn factory earned £13 per week, which was 8 shillings and 8 pence higher than the minimum weekly wage for female workers in the textile manufacturing industry (£12 11s 4d). By 1970, the Kathryn Knitwear brand expanded from children’s knitwear into womenswear under the brand name ‘Lady Kathryn’, and for boys and men under ‘Robert Blake’. Continuing to diversify their distribution, they also began exporting ‘Kathryn’ garments to New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Japan. The decoration on this garment was embroidered by hand by a skilled worker at the Kathryn Knitwear factory. ‘Kathryn Knitwear’ was well-known for their early adoption of modern materials and techniques that had broad appeal to their customer base. This is shown in their early use of the acrylic fibre ‘Orlon’ in the 50s and 60s and ‘Superwash’ wool in the 1970s. Many of Kathryn Knitwear’s styles, particularly those that were long running staples of the brand, were available in both wool and Orlon to suit the consumer’s preference. Wool has been renowned for its excellent properties for thousands of years, by people from all over the world. Not only good for thick winter woollens, it can help keep you cool in summer, as well as being durable and resistant to water, fire, ultraviolet light, stains and odour. Far from the humble origins of one man in his bedroom with a hand-cranked machine; at its closure in 1980, the Broadmeadows factory of ‘Kathryn’ housed more than 100 machines, including 53 sewing machines and 45 knitting machines. Robert Blake was “a passionate advocate for wool and Australian Made” throughout his whole life. A strong thread that ties through the lifespan of Robert Blake and Kathryn Knitwear is a balance between adopting new innovations without sacrificing the core values of durability, comfort, care and style that had made the brand so well known. Their legacy forms an integral part of both Australian social and manufacturing history.Grey children’s cardigan with embroidered flowers and human figures in folk costume, and crocheted design around neck in green, yellow and red. Left panel has embroidered figure of man with blue lederhosen and yellow shirt, black shoes and hat, hat has red accent. Right front panel depicts woman wearing red skirt with white stripe, white shirt, and green headscarf with black stockings and shoes. Flowers are embroidered in pink, white and blue with green and yellow accents for stems and flower centres. Cardigan closes in front with five marbled grey plastic buttons[Label at back neck with blue lettering woven into label] KATHRYN REGD / 22 ALL WOOL CREATED BY ROBERT BLAKEchildren's knitwear, knitwear, clothing, children's clothing, cardigan, manufacturing, fashion textile production, machine knitting, embroidery, embroiderer, folk art, folk embroidery

Folk embroidery from Saurashtra Provence of Gujarati and said by donor to be over 100 years old. Depicts elephant headed god, Ganesh. Vivid colours of reds, yellow, green and blue with some mirror inserts.embroidery, surface stitchery, shisha work, mid 19th century, india

The fringed tablecloth is an example of a domestic item brought to Australia by early settlers in the Western District of Victoria as a home comfort.The fringed tablecloth helps tell the story of the arrival of European settlers and the small, light home comforts they brought with them to maintain a meaningful connection to home.Fringed and lined square tablecloth. The front is hand embroidered on brown loose weave fabric, the back a pale yellow polished cotton fabric. The edges on the back have been turned and machine-stitched. Hand-stitching has been used to join the top to the back and to add the fringe around the edges. The embroidery uses tapestry wool in cream, yellow, brown and green tones. The style is possibly an example of European folk-style hardanger embroidery technique. An inscription on a pink ribbon is sewn onto the reverse.“S F . 31303 OLIVER YEA - - [undecipherable]”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, tablecloth, fringed tablecloth, embroidered tablecloth, european embroidery, hand sewing, domestic object, handmade, textile, silk thread, geometric design, vintage, long-stitch, zigzag design, decorative, home décor, domestic linen, table linen, hardanger embroidery, hardanger

Red cloth large hardcover book. Title is written on the front cover and on spine in gold. Small gold circle pattern on front cover. The book contains 100 coloured plates, 32 b/w plates with images of peasant handicraft. The book includes table of content, index, bibliography and a library due date card inside back cover, it was borrowed by Donald Ferguson(an art lecturer)on 13 May 1957. Page numbers written in roman numerals. embroidery, europe, ceramics, ornaments, peasant art, h th bossert, folk art, embroideries, handicraft, decorative arts, textile fabrics

Colour drawing of stylised carnation, influenced by folk art. Motif is for embroidery.Neva Bole, 3B

Yang Deliang was from the Jinshan Peasant Painting Academy where Chinese folk art of southeastern Yangtze River area of Shanghai is undertaken. The paintings integrate the folk arts of printing and dyeing, embroidery, paper cutting, wood carving, and cook stove painting, and depict the peasant's colorful customs and daily life. This style of folk art was born in 1972, under the guidance of a professional painter Wu Tongzhang. Jinshan Peasant Painting made its international debut in the Expo 1980 in Brussels, Belgium. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Framed silkcreen An artist's 'chop' is evident on the lower right cornerart, artwork, yang deliang, chinese, silkscreen, jinshan peasant painting academy, j

The Matyó region of Hungary, which includes Mezökövesd is known for its rich costume traditions, specifically embroidery. Matyó embroidery is a densely-patterned style of free-hand work in rich and colorful floral motifs. Its prime era was the 1860s and 1870s when the folk arts thrived. This example characterizes the dynamic color combinations and flower varieties of the Matyó tradition.The textile is part of a large and significant collection of items donated by Rosemary Vaughan-Smith, past member and office-bearer of the Kew Historical Society. between 2005-12. The collection includes costumes, scrapbooks, autograph books, artworks and objects.Rectangular apron worked in three panels, the lower two of which are backed. The waist tie is of a floral fabric. The tape is attached to both vertical sides. There is a black fringe attached to the bottom panel over floral printed fabric. The needlework techniques employed in the embroidery include flat stitch which is used to create the effect of quilting and creating large brightly coloured flowers in the middle section. mezökövesd, aprons - hungarian, matyo embroidery, migration

Originating in Sweden as early as the 17th century, Näversöm embroidery gets its name from a piece of birch bark that was used as a frame. Since the birch bark frame could be easily rolled up and carried to protect her work, the Shepherdess did her Näversöm embroidery while tending her animals. The Näversöm embroidery technique is unusual because it is entirely stitched from the back. The birch bark protected the front of the piece, and the final design was not revealed until the folk art was completely finished. This embroidery would have become extinct had it not been for a Swedish woman, who owned a needlework shop in Hudiksvall, Sweden, who studied the Näversöm stitchery and began teaching this specialized embroidery in the late 1800s. Näversöm had a revival in the 1960s and '70s in Sweden when several instructional articles were published. Näversöm was used as household linens, and in earlier times as lampshades that would display the beautiful artistry as the light shined through the needlework. Examples of new and old patterns are still available from Sweden. Swedish Näversöm MatCream mat in Swedish Näversöm technique. Mat design forms a diagonal cross.embroidery, mats, drawn thread

Handwoven and embroidered Guatemalan wall decorations are traditional Mayan folk art pieces created using backstrap looms and intricate hand-embroidery techniques like brocade, darning, and randa stitching. Key Features of Guatemalan Wall Textiles Backstrap Loom Weaving: Panels are woven on a traditional backstrap loom where the weaver uses body tension to control the warp and weft threads. Pattern Darning and Brocade: Artisans use supplementary-weft techniques—such as brocade (randa) and darning—to build geometric, zoomorphic, and nature-inspired motifs like quetzals, deer, horses, and floral mandalas. Regional Craftsmanship: Many distinct pieces originate from highland communities like Chichicastenango and Santiago Atitlán, where multi-purpose textiles like tzutes or ceremonial huipils are crafted.Hand woven striped cotton, black back ground,brown and white tones. Large central band has 4 large quetzel birds, 2 narrow bands have 11 figures in pattern darning. Ends are fringed.embroidery, wall hanging, pattern darning, south america, 1960-80

Part of a selection and pieces designed and worked by Mrs Wark for the Guild Proficiency Certificate in 1997.Even weave linen with hem stitched edge. Two edges embroidered in green in a voided design of figures. An example (copy) of 17th century Italian drawn fabric work from folk knitting patterns.embroidery, mats, drawn fabric, 1960-80, australia

The ho-o bird (hōō or 鳳凰) is a legendary, phoenix-like creature from East Asian mythology, originating from the Chinese fenghuang. The name comes from Japanese, where hō represents the male bird and ō represents the female bird, symbolizing yin and yang harmony. Symbolism: Unlike the Western phoenix, the ho-o does not burn up and rise from ashes. It is a peaceful, divine spirit that appears only to mark times of peace, virtue, or the birth of a just ruler. Appearance: Traditional descriptions combine parts of many animals, featuring the beak of a rooster, head of a pheasant, neck of a snake, and tail of a peacock. Its feathers display five sacred colors (red, yellow, blue, white, and black). Eventually the two creatures merged into one and their combined name was used. The combined creature is still considered to be female, and is often partnered with the tatsu, which is considered to be male. The hōō is one of the most revered and holiest animals in Japan. Second only to the kirin in terms of power, it is the most sacred bird in the Japanese pantheon. Japanese dragon, known as ryū or tatsu (龍 or 竜), is a legendary, serpentine water deity in Japanese mythology and folklore. Physical Appearance: Body: Long, scaly, and snake-like without wings. Claws: Typically depicted with three toes on each foot (distinguishing them from Chinese five-clawed and Korean four-clawed variants). Features: Horns, long whiskers or a beard, and a fierce expression. Movement: Associated with water, oceans, rain, and clouds rather than fire-breathing. Meaning and Symbolism: Water and Weather: Viewed as benevolent water gods controlling rainfall, rivers, and tides. Wisdom and Power: Symbolize strength, protection, and good fortune. Imperial Lineage: Ancient legends state that Japan's imperial family descends from sea deities and dragon royalty like Ryūjin . A Japanese monkey (saru, 猿) in traditional or decorative embroidery symbolizes protection, good luck, cleverness, and the removal of evil. Core Meanings of the Monkey : Warding off evil: Historically, the monkey was viewed as a protector against demons and bad luck. Japanese macaques act as divine messengers in certain Shinto shrines (like the Hie Shrine). Fertility and safe birth: Ancient Japanese clay monkey amulets were used to pray for healthy children and easy childbirth, a meaning that carried into traditional folk textiles and garments. Mischief and playfulness: On a lighter note, single playful monkeys represent cleverness, agility, and lighthearted joy.Large Japanese metal thread screen depicting dragons, ho-o birds and monkeys.embroidery, japanese screen, metal work, surface stitchery

Part of the local costume, made in the home. Traditional Polish folk shawl, often referred to as a chusta ludowa or highland-style shawl (chusta góralska)Shawl/Headscarf - white cotton fabric, stranded thread (mouline) small flowers in surface stitchery. Macrame style woven fringe.embroidery, surface stitchery, shawls, 20th century, poland

Donated by Mrs M.E. Bowley, from the collection of the late Dr. Georgina Sweet, who was the first woman veterinarian in Victoria and who travelled extensively in Middle Europe in the Early 20th century. This traditional folk costume cap or bonnet headdress is possibly from the Balkan or Southern/Eastern European region. It closely matches Croatian, Bosnian or Slovak folk dress (kroj). Flat linens were heavily embroidered, hemmed with handmade lace and precisely folded or structured over a frame to cover a married woman's hair. It is heavily characteristic of Balkan and regional Slavic textile traditions.Cream cotton muslin with stylised pattern in terracotta, blue, green and black cross stitch. It is edged in a triangular, Armenian needle lace pattern and has a draw-cord to shape the cap.embroidery, cross stitch, caps, southern european

Given to donor by an elderly lady who wished it to be appreciated by embroideresses. Traditional East European folk blouse - like a Ukrainian vyshyvanka or Romanian/Husul peasant shirt. Sleeve embroidery (Ustavka): broad, ornate rectangular geometric and floral panels on the upper sleeves are common in Carpathian, Bukovyna or Zakarpattia styles. Hungarian regions include Kalotaszeg or Gyorgyfalva regions of Transylvania.White cotton gathered into neckband. The well padded blue and red embroidery decorates the sleeves only, with the addition of some yellow eyelet holes to give contrast. The front opening has a small band of decorated edging with pale mauve, yellow and red embroidery.embroidery, garments, late 19th century, hungary, surface stitchery

Made of local dark cream muslin with long sleeves, all the decoation is in a geometric design of black and white, with smocking at the waist and neck for shaping. The front panel and wide sleeves have been embroidered in bands of varying widths using silk and cotton threads. Sewn together using black thread and a form of faggotting stitch."Made in Roumania" on small label.embroidery, garments, 1900-20, middle european, cross stitch

Blouse made of local (Bukovina, Romania) cream muslin with collar and cuffs and long sleeves. The cuffs and collar edges are decorated in blocks of brown, white, blue and gold plus metal thread and armenian needle lace. The front panel has an intricate design of hexagons with green and gold fillings plus counted thread floral designs in blues, pinks and greens. Buttonhole stich in colour outlines the front opening with an embroidered button.embroidery, garments, 1900-20, counted thread, middle european, romanian

Uros Lake Titicaca Folk Art is a traditional textile hand-crafted by indigenous artisans near Lake Titicaca in Peru and Bolivia. Material: Typically handmade with a creamy or ivory wool ground, featuring vibrant wool embroidery threads and sometimes a colorful patchwork backing. Technique: Uses raised chain-stitch (crewel) embroidery where artisans outline forms in dark wool and fill them with ribbed chain-stitch gradients (such as rust, ember, indigo, and sky blue). Design Motifs: Depicts high-Altiplano daily life, including the famed Uros floating reed islands, totora reed houses, traditional boats (balsas de totora), villagers, animals, and a smiling sun. Border and Inscriptions: Features pre-Columbian stepped-meander borders and text inscriptions like "UROS LAGO TITICACA".South American, from Lake Titicaca, Island of Reedy. Made by the Uro Indians who live on the island. Very primitive in design stitchery and colour on hand woven material (wool). Acrylic thread used in design in purple, white, pink, orange and greeninti urosembroidery, panel, 1940-60, south america, surface stitchery