Grace James, the creator of the items in the Grace James collection, designed and created costumes over a 19 year period (1969-1988) for her daughter Ceri. The collection of clothing ranges from evening wear to knitted garments. All the items display exemplary dressmaking skills. The designs are of the period and reflect evolving fashions of the time. Some items are copies of published designs whereas others are original creations. The collection was donated in 2006.While most of the items in the Fashion & Design Collection of the Kew Historical Society are commercially designed items of clothing, there are also items made by home dressmakers. Many of these exhibit outstanding design knowledge and technical skills. A large and important group of these items of women's clothing is contained in the Grace James collection of outfits created for the dressmaker's daughter. The items have additional significance due to information about the purpose of the creation and the date when it was constructed.Hand-woven woollen jacket with white bands interspersed with diamond patterned bands in shades of green and pink. The kneck and a band down the front uses the dark pink wool. There is a matching belt.grace james, women's clothing, australian fashion 1969-1988, dressmakers - surrey hills (vic), woven jumpers

Hand woven hat, made from bamboo and reeds, circular shapehand woven hat

Hand spun, hand dyed, hand woven and hand sewn suit which won best garment in the 1987 Geelong show. Size 12 in a design by Chanel. It was spun with variegated natural greys on a Sheridan horizontal spinning wheel. It was then dyed pink using natural dyes. The jacket had commercially brought warp and hand spun weft in twill on a 24” loom. All spinning, dyeing and weaving was by Jean Inglis of Geelong. The suit was sewn by Caroline Mogic of Geelong, with iron on interfacing, commercially brought trim. It was worn only once in the parade at the Geelong show. The pink suit jacket has four pockets with gold buttons on front, size 12. The jacket has a checker-plate pattern in which the predominate pink is always present and is accompanied in areas which have grey or white showing through the pink. This checker plate pattern continues down the sleeves of the jacket. The edge of the jacket has a lighter pink trim. A pink skirt accompanies the suit jacket. It has horizontal lines with pink as the predominate colour and areas of grey and white showing through in sections. geelong show, hand spun, hand dyed, hand woven, hand sewn, channel

In the words of the Donor, Betty Stone, "The wallet is one of a set of two items. They were designed, hand-sewn sewn and embroidered with raffia by my mother Daisy Elvena (nee Dale) Welsh. Daisy Elvena Dale (born 27 October 1899) daughter of Ellis and Ann (nee Lees) Dale, of Latrigg, Wangoom, Warrnambool, married Raymond Welsh in 1922. A few years later – approximately 1928- Daisy made these two articles, which she used, particularly during the Depression years. The important factor concerning these bags is that they were made with hand-woven cloth cut from a pair of trousers which her grandfather, William Dale brought with him when he left the family farm Back o-'the Low situated in Saddleworth, Yorkshire, England. He arrived in Australia in 1852 and seven years later was operating a quarry on land purchased in Wangoom, Warrnambool known as The Dale Bluestone Quarries. Dale forebears in Yorkshire were first recorded as "clothiers" ( ie weavers of cloth) in the Saddleworth parish records dated 1764; following generations also continued the tradition of producing hand woven cloth as a home industry. The cloth, from which these two bags were made, is evidence of a tradition begun by the Dale family in Saddleworth, Yorkshire more than two hundred and fifty years ago. My mother, Daisy Elvena (nee Dale) Welsh (granddaughter of William Dale) always referred to the cloth, which is at least 160 years old, as a homespun hopsack.The homespun hopsack fabric for the set of bags was part of the clothing brought from England to Australia, an example of emigrant luggage. It also represents a traditional home industry of 'clothiers'. This item is associated with the families of Chamberlain, Dale and Lees. These families are listed in the "Pioneers' Register" for Warrnambool Township and Shire, 1835-1900, published by A.I.G.S. Warrnambool Branch.Embroidered wallet (purse), rectangular, part of a set, the other part being a shopping bag Decorated with embroidered raffia flowers. The bags were made by Daisy Welsh (nee Dale) c. 1928 from homespun "hopsack' fabric of William Dale's trousers, brought to Australia in 1852. Part of the 'Chamberlain Dale Lees Collection' flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, chamberlain, dale, lees, stone, betty stone, warrnambool pioneers, clithier, william dale, daisy welsh, wangoom, hopsack, saddleworth, yorkshire, wallet, purse, hand woven, handmade

This skirt belonged to Olga Black, a long-time Brighton resident. The linen used for the skirt were woven by Olga's great-grandmother Efstathia in the late-nineteenth century with flax grown on the island of Ithaca. In the 1950s, Olga made the fabric into a skirt, embellishing it with hand embroidery. Olga Maria Black was born in Melbourne in 1930, the daughter of Ithacan migrants Constantine and Toula Mavrokefalos. Constantine first emigrated to Australia in 1902, returning to Greece circa 1912-13 to serve his home country in the Balkan Wars. Toula's family had left Ithaca for Romania when she was only six months old, but she happened to be visiting the island at the very time that Constantine arrived, fresh from the war. Within three weeks they were married, and when Constantine returned to Melbourne in 1914 his new bride came with him. Constantine had trained as an accountant, but his qualifications were not recognised in Australia. Changing his surname to the Anglicised "Black", he started off working in his older brother Dionysios's cafés before going into business on his own. In 1917 he opened the Paris Residential Café at 54-56 Swanston Street, which offered both dining and accommodation. The business saw some years of success, but did not survive the Great Depression. Constantine died in 1944. Olga's mother Toula learned to sew as a child, while growing up in the Romanian village of Brila. She developed her skills making lace and embroidering items for her trousseau. Some of the linen she embroidered had been woven from flax on Ithaca by her own grandmother, Efstathia. During the Depression, when money was scarce, Toula embroidered at home, doing work for a factory in Flinders Lane. Using a cotton reel, a threepence and a sixpence she created and embroidered designs on hundreds of blouses. Olga spent her preschool days sitting at the table where her mother worked. Toula would involve Olga by allowing her to help choose the colour combinations. Toula lived with Olga in Brighton until her death in 1976. Olga inherited her mother's sewing skills. She re-invented some of Toula’s trousseau nightdresses and skilfully altered other clothing, making dresses which she wore around Brighton for many years.Ankle-length full cream linen skirt with multi-coloured cross stitch embroidery featuring mountains, birds and trees. Fullness is pleated into wide waist band. Left side opening. The fabric widths have been whipped together by hand probably at the time the cloth was woven in the late-nineteenth century. The skirt is machine stitched.skirt, linen, hand woven, embroidery, ithaca, migration, greek diaspora, olga black

Worn by Vera Gardiner, mother-in-law of donorCream Thai silk coat with self fabric belt from the 1960'sThai Silk - hand woven in Siamcostume, female

From the Till collectionTHE TILL COLLECTION SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT|The significance of the Alwyn Till Collection is that Alwyn was born in Mitcham in 1921. He attended Mitcham Primary School and Box Hill Boys High School. He served his Community mainly through his activities within the Christ Church Anglican Church Mitcham. He joined the Royal Australian Airforce in World War II in September 1939. He trained as a Pilot in Australia and Canada, was posted to England and saw action in Europe. He was shot down over France and rescued by and then joined the French Resistance and while fighting with them was fatally shot. A Baron fighting with him wrote to his mother to inform her of his death.|Alwyn's parents were Evaleen Victoria Till (nee Maggs) and Sydney Norman Till who first lived in Creek Road Mitcham, before moving to 573 Whitehorse Road Mitcham. His father served in World War I where his eyesight was damaged and he was taught by the then Blind Institute in suitcase making of which we have two examples in this collection. He died in 1931. Alwyn took over responsibility for his mother and sister Alison. We can understand how devastated his mother and sister would have been at the news of Alwyn's feeling that he must serve his country in World War 11.|His letters home were so precious to them that they carefully kept all his correspondence, notices of death and condolences from friends. After Alison's death in 2007 her relation Joan Walker transcribed each of Alwyn's letters home into two bound volumes. The executors, Joan Walker and Anne Drew deposited the original letters with the Whitehorse Historical Society. Due to their significance as historical documents of one serviceman's complete correspondence with his family the Whitehorse Historical Society Committee after consultation with the donors deposited the original letters with the State Library of Victoria. The Whitehorse Historical Society retains the copies.|Alison and her mother kept many family memorabilia and personal items which make up this significant collection as they show how people lived, worked and served in the local community and municipality.|This collection represents the love and devotion of the women to their families during the course of two world wars. The father was disabled as a result of World War 1 and died an early death and a son who thereafter took on the responsibility as head of the family at an early age. This young handsome charismatic son served his community in peace time and gave his life in World War 11. This mother and sister were devoted to his memory.Cream hand woven with self embroidery at each end and fringe.domestic items, food & drink consumption, handcrafts, weaving

Over 150 years old in 1970. Donor,Joe Herman was a blacksmith, painter and signwriter in Orbost. Local footballer. Married Elsie Winchester This item is an example of a handcrafted item and reflects the needlework skills of women in the families of the early settlers.Cloth of fine hand-woven linen. all white with fine hem.linen manchester-table-linen handcrafts weaving

Brought to Orbost from the New Hebrides in about 1900.A round hand-woven palm fan. It has made with dyed fibres.fan handcraft new hebrides ethnographic dress-ornament

Till CollectionCream cotton hand woven place mat. Slightly open weave.domestic items, table setting, handcrafts, weaving

Donor, Joe Hermann was a blacksmith, painter, signwriter ,married Elsie Winchester. Hand woven table napkin. White. Damask print. Linen. Print is floral.J Cartledge 18napkin manchester table-linen handcrafts weaving

Made by internee at Camp 1. Leather used is from army bootsHand woven leather belt with silver clasp. Pattern/weave of belt is intricatebelt, shuster e, camp 1, tatura, ww2 camp 1, handcrafts, leather, work, costume, accessory, clothes

Imitation Kashmiri shawls were produced in large numbers in Europe in the second half of the 19th and also in the 20th centuries. The first mechanised production of such shawls was made possible by the invention of the Jacquard loom in France in the 1820s. Machine woven paisley shawl, based on traditional hand-woven Kashmiri designs. paisley shawl, shawls

A predominantely red carpet. Custom made with woven inscription Royal Australian Engineers 1959 Wilson R B 1968 - 2411848. Ubique Viet 66' 67' with fringes top and bottom. 5 wooden rings attached to topThis fully imported & hand woven rug was custom designed for Graeme Wilson.royal australina engineers

Purchased at David Jones, Melbourne, and worn by Donor.Men's Harris Tweed Sports Jacket. Fully lined, centre back vent. Two grey buttons on front closing and two buttons on sleeves.Harris Tweed. Hand woven in the Outer Hebrides. From Scottish Woolcostume, male

This basket was hand-made by Mrs Tiny Solomon, an Aboriginal woman, in Orbost.This item is an example of an Indigenous style hand woven item of the very early 20th century. A shallow hand-woven grass basket. It has a flat bottom and a handle across the top.basket aboriginal weaving handcraft

from the Till collection3 piece dressing table set. Cream hand woven with darker border with fringingduchess set, decorative item

Till collectionTHE TILL COLLECTION SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT|The significance of the Alwyn Till Collection is that Alwyn was born in Mitcham in 1921. He attended Mitcham Primary School and Box Hill Boys High School. He served his Community mainly through his activities within the Christ Church Anglican Church Mitcham. He joined the Royal Australian Airforce in World War II in September 1939. He trained as a Pilot in Australia and Canada, was posted to England and saw action in Europe. He was shot down over France and rescued by and then joined the French Resistance and while fighting with them was fatally shot. A Baron fighting with him wrote to his mother to inform her of his death.|Alwyn's parents were Evaleen Victoria Till (nee Maggs) and Sydney Norman Till who first lived in Creek Road Mitcham, before moving to 573 Whitehorse Road Mitcham. His father served in World War I where his eyesight was damaged and he was taught by the then Blind Institute in suitcase making of which we have two examples in this collection. He died in 1931. Alwyn took over responsibility for his mother and sister Alison. We can understand how devastated his mother and sister would have been at the news of Alwyn's feeling that he must serve his country in World War 11.|His letters home were so precious to them that they carefully kept all his correspondence, notices of death and condolences from friends. After Alison's death in 2007 her relation Joan Walker transcribed each of Alwyn's letters home into two bound volumes. The executors, Joan Walker and Anne Drew deposited the original letters with the Whitehorse Historical Society. Due to their significance as historical documents of one serviceman's complete correspondence with his family the Whitehorse Historical Society Committee after consultation with the donors deposited the original letters with the State Library of Victoria. The Whitehorse Historical Society retains the copies.|Alison and her mother kept many family memorabilia and personal items which make up this significant collection as they show how people lived, worked and served in the local community and municipality.|This collection represents the love and devotion of the women to their families during the course of two world wars. The father was disabled as a result of World War 1 and died an early death and a son who thereafter took on the responsibility as head of the family at an early age. This young handsome charismatic son served his community in peace time and gave his life in World War 11. This mother and sister were devoted to his memory.Blue and cream cotton hand woven place mat. Cream fringing on two ends.domestic items, food & drink consumption, handcrafts, weaving

Till collectionTHE TILL COLLECTION SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT|The significance of the Alwyn Till Collection is that Alwyn was born in Mitcham in 1921. He attended Mitcham Primary School and Box Hill Boys High School. He served his Community mainly through his activities within the Christ Church Anglican Church Mitcham. He joined the Royal Australian Airforce in World War II in September 1939. He trained as a Pilot in Australia and Canada, was posted to England and saw action in Europe. He was shot down over France and rescued by and then joined the French Resistance and while fighting with them was fatally shot. A Baron fighting with him wrote to his mother to inform her of his death.|Alwyn's parents were Evaleen Victoria Till (nee Maggs) and Sydney Norman Till who first lived in Creek Road Mitcham, before moving to 573 Whitehorse Road Mitcham. His father served in World War I where his eyesight was damaged and he was taught by the then Blind Institute in suitcase making of which we have two examples in this collection. He died in 1931. Alwyn took over responsibility for his mother and sister Alison. We can understand how devastated his mother and sister would have been at the news of Alwyn's feeling that he must serve his country in World War 11.|His letters home were so precious to them that they carefully kept all his correspondence, notices of death and condolences from friends. After Alison's death in 2007 her relation Joan Walker transcribed each of Alwyn's letters home into two bound volumes. The executors, Joan Walker and Anne Drew deposited the original letters with the Whitehorse Historical Society. Due to their significance as historical documents of one serviceman's complete correspondence with his family the Whitehorse Historical Society Committee after consultation with the donors deposited the original letters with the State Library of Victoria. The Whitehorse Historical Society retains the copies.|Alison and her mother kept many family memorabilia and personal items which make up this significant collection as they show how people lived, worked and served in the local community and municipality.|This collection represents the love and devotion of the women to their families during the course of two world wars. The father was disabled as a result of World War 1 and died an early death and a son who thereafter took on the responsibility as head of the family at an early age. This young handsome charismatic son served his community in peace time and gave his life in World War 11. This mother and sister were devoted to his memory.Cream cotton hand woven place mat with shades of orange patterns fringing on long sides.domestic items, table setting, handcrafts, weaving

Brought to Orbost from the New Hebrides in about 1900.A long-handled hand woven palm fan in natural colours. The fan is oval shaped. The handle is narrow.fan handcraft dress-ornament ethnographic

Brought to Orbost in 1900.A diamond shaped palm fan hand-woven in natural colours. It has a narrow handle and is closely woven.fan handcraft ethnographic new hebrides dress-ornament

Wangaratta Art Gallery Collection. Acquired with the assistance of The Robert Salzer Foundation.A small hand-woven tapestry featuring a jagged line pattern in shades of blue on a ochre coloured background.tim gresham, tapestry, weaving

Originated from Southern Europe judging by design in centre. From the home of W.J. Sebire.Square hand woven fringed edge doily. Cream in colour. Diamond pattern in middle with central star. doilies, table linen.

A hand-woven rectangular shaped cotton cloth with symmetrical designs. It is white, red, yellow, blue and green and there is a white fringe at each end.handcraft cloth weaving

Hand Knitted Woven Flowers in Glass Dome on wooden base stawell

Mady by Jean Inglis in 1986 for Geelong Show. Wool was hand spun, hand woven and hand dyed. Outfit was put together by a Geelong based dressmaker and was only worn once during the parade at the Show. Size 12. Earliest Date: 1986Cream coloured wool jacket. One button. Label attached with safety pin. Three buttons on cuff of each sleeve. White lining inside. Part of a Chanel style suit.

Made by Jean Inglis of Geelong for the Royal Melbourne Sheel Show 1988 and the fashion competition 'Fashions of the Eighties' where she won First Prize. Earliest Date: 1988. Wool for shirt was hand woven and hand dyed by maker, using the Shibori dying method.Dark navy blue t-shirt with pale blue horizontal line pattern. Shirt has a white lining inside.

Donor, Valda Arrowsmith wore the suit during her time as Mayor of Nunawading at official functions in 1987/8.1987 Two piece black woollen suit. Skirt is straight hand woven and is lined. Top is woven wool with panels in shades of blue lurex, wool, braid, chenille and black lurex. Sleeves are magyar style. Black ribbed band at waist.costume, female