A mob cap was worn over the hair when indoors working and a hat could be placed over it when going outdoors. It was quite reasonable to receive visitors while wearing a mob cap. This cap has been labelled as a ‘boudoir’ cap to be worn over curlers or to keep a lady’s hair in place overnight. It is made of cotton and has beautiful torchon lace inserts with the same lace trim around the edge. This torchon lace is a handmade bobbin lace using soft cotton thread.in a simple design of filled diamonds alternating with spiders. These caps were worn by women in Georgian times and called a ‘bonnet’. The term ‘mobcap’ may have come from the Dutch or French languages but the name was cemented during the French Revolution when most of the revolutionary women were wearing these caps. During the Victorian era they were mostly worn by servants or nurses.Churchill Island has a large lace collection, which was added to by three successive generations of the Amess family - Jane, Janet, and Unity. The Amess family owned Churchill Island from 1872 to 1929. Jane was wife of Samuel Amess, who was the first Samuel Amess to own Churchill Island. The examples of lace are notable for their variety, and provide respresentative examples of techniques from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth centuries. white cotton mob cap, with central lace section in the form of a crossPackaged with note: "White cotton handmade lace mob cap"lace, lace collection, churchill island

The sample of crochet lace is an example of a handmade item that would have been used to decorative purpose around the home. It may have been used to edge curtains, a table runner or a mantlepiece. The Christmas Bells pattern suggests usage as a Christmas decoration.The item is significant socially to show the use of textile crafts, such as handmade crocheted lace, to decorate regular domestic objects around the home such as curtains and mantlepieces.Length of handmade crochet lace. Mercerised white crochet thread has been used to crochet a repeat pattern consisting of three rows: a decorative top row, a middle section of diamond shapes and a bottom row of Christmas bells.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, lace, handmade lace, crocheted lace, decorative edging, decorative lace edging, domestic object, crocheted trim

The sample of crochet lace is an example of a handmade item that would have been used to edge material to create a doily for use around the home.The item is significant socially to show the use of textile crafts, such as handmade crocheted lace, to decorate regular domestic objects.A ring of handmade crochet lace consisting of ten motifs joined in a circle. Mercerised white crochet thread has been used to crochet each motif in an open lace pattern using picot edging to give a floral effect.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, lace, handmade lace, crocheted lace, decorative edging, decorative lace edging, domestic object, crocheted edging

The sample of crochet lace is an example of a handmade item that would have been used to decorative purpose around the home. Being a shorter length it may have edged towels or found use as a collar however no tie or buttons have been attached at the ends.The item is significant socially to show the use of textile crafts, such as handmade crocheted lace, to decorate regular domestic objects or create pieces of clothing.A strip of handmade crochet lace with a pointed edge. Mercerised white crochet thread has been used to crochet a lace pattern consisting of small open weave areas reflecting the pointed shape of the lace and a larger, open, zig zag and line pattern. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, lace, handmade lace, crocheted lace, decorative edging, decorative lace edging, domestic object, crocheted trim, ladies collar, crocheted collar

The sample of crochet lace is an example of a handmade item that would have been used to decorative purpose around the home. It may have been used to edge curtains, a table runner or a mantlepiece. The Christmas Bells pattern suggests usage as a Christmas decoration.The item is significant socially to show the use of textile crafts, such as handmade crocheted lace, to decorate regular domestic objects around the home such as curtains and mantlepieces.Length of handmade crochet lace. Mercerised white crochet thread has been used to crochet a repeat pattern consisting of four rows: a decorative top row, a second row composed of diamond shapes, a repeat of the decorative top row and finally a row of Christmas bells to complete the pattern.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, lace, handmade lace, crocheted lace, decorative edging, decorative lace edging, domestic object, crocheted trim

The sample of crochet lace is an example of a handmade item that would have been used to decorative purpose around the home. It may have been used to edge curtains, a table runner or a mantlepiece. Smaller pieces were used to edge towels. The shape of this piece suggests a possible use as a ladies collar however no tie or buttons have been attached at the ends.The item is significant socially to show the use of textile crafts, such as handmade crocheted lace, to decorate regular domestic objects or create pieces of clothing.A wide length of handmade crochet lace with an open pattern at the top and a pointed edged pattern underneath. For the open pattern mercerised white crochet thread has been used to crochet a double row of a repeat pattern of 'three circles and stems'. Underneath double crochet (US) / treble crochet (UK) is used to create the points which have been edged with the 'three circles and stems' pattern from above.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, lace, handmade lace, crocheted lace, decorative edging, decorative lace edging, domestic object, crocheted trim, ladies collar, crocheted collar

This is a beautiful example of Irish crochet lace edging featuring the Clones knot which gives the picot appearance on the bars. Clones knots are made by twisting the crochet hook backwards and forwards many times and working into the same stitch then pulling a loop through and fastening it at the beginning of the knot. Irish crochet comes in many forms and at first glance this lace looks like a bobbin made torchon lace. It is very fine and the thread used is most likely a No. 60 cotton or finer. Being handmade this lace would have been quite expensive and the owner would have wanted it to be seen.Churchill Island has a large lace collection, which was added to by three successive generations of the Amess family - Jane, Janet, and Unity. The Amess family owned Churchill Island from 1872 to 1929. Jane was wife of Samuel Amess, who was the first Samuel Amess to own Churchill Island. The examples of lace are notable for their variety, and provide representative examples of techniques from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth centuries.length of handmade lace, with reinforced edges and a repeating, abstract motif reminiscent of buds.churchill island, lace, janet amess lace collection, amess

This elegant lace trim is Irish crochet lace. Crochet skills were brought to Ireland from France by Ursuline nuns in the 1700s and was mainly confined to the convents. When the Potato Blight occurred in 1845 the principal source of food and income was lost and families were destitute. Several wealthy women taught the peasant women the art of crochet and then marketed it to their wealthy friends in England and Europe thus saving many Irish families from starvation. Irish crochet is made in several parts. Women would specialize in a signature motif and would sell their motifs to stores. From there more lace workers would be employed to join them together to make a larger piece. The larger pieces would go to the master lace maker who would assemble them into the final pattern or items. Many women became the major wage earners for their families from these skills. Closer inspection of this piece reveals the initial repeated floral motif. To get an idea of the fineness of some of this crochet lace, a woman described her ‘famine hook’ as a sewing needle with the eye cut out and the point at the other end inserted in a wooden handle.The Amess family owned Churchill Island from 1872 to 1929. This lace collection was owned and contributed to by four generations of Amess women, see above.Irish crochet handmade lace trim, ivorychurchill island, lace, jane amess, lace collection

This apron was donated along with other well kept items of women's clothing. The clothing once belonged to members of a family who migrated from Faversham, Kent, England to Sydney, Australia in the late 19th - early 20th century and was passed down through the family. The items have been worn and have also been well cared for.The apron is an example of late 19th century ladies' clothing for use in domestic service or hospitality.Apron, ladies size, cotton, machine made. Bodice has hand made Broderie Anglais lace trim and neck ties, skirt has gathered waist and ties, three pin ticks around hemline. Would have been worn for 'best' wear. C. 1900flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, ladies garments 19th century, cotton garments 19th century, apron late 19th century, broderie anglaise, handmade lace, apron, domestic clothing, domestic work, domestic service

This item of underclothing, called a "combination" 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. Combination undergarments combined the chemise and drawers into one garment. The combination is divided, or bifurcated, from the waist to the crutch for easier urinating. This one-piece type of underwear was worn by females from the 1860s and into the early 1900s. The 19th Century garments had front button closures like this one, and those made in the 1900s more often had back closures. Combination underwear was popular because the all-in-one design had far fewer gathers and bulk, making the other clothing look much smoother. Their primary use was to protect clothing from perspiration and because they were made with cotton or linen, were easy to wash. Although they were worn under the corset, next to the skin (and therefore not meant to be seen), they were often decorated with lace and embroidery. Although these combinations are made with a plain cotton fabric, Eliza Towns has incorporated pin tucks, hand embroidery and crocheted lace to embellish her garment. The collection of women’s late-19th-century undergarments is an example of clothing that women would include in their wardrobes. The garments add to the study of the evolution of women's fashions and practicality for the early Australian settlers. The careful needlework in these handmade garments and hand-worked lace trims reflect the maker’s dedication to making even serviceable garments beautiful to look at and wear.Women’s white cotton and lace all-In-one combination undergarment. The handmade underwear is a combined chemise and bloomers. It has three buttons in the front and a handmade drawstring cord around the square neckline. It is trimmed with crocheted lace (with a floral design) on the neckline, sleeves and pants. It had pintucks and feather stitching on the bodice and the left and right sides are divided from the waist to the crutch. The back of the garment is plain with a gathered section at the lower back.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, victorian era, combination undergarment, all-in-one underwear, combination, ‘combinations’, one-piece underwear, one-piece undergarment, chemise and bloomers, combination chemise and bloomers, divided, bifurcated, split, chemise and drawers, women’s underwear, ladies’ underwear, undergarment, women’s clothing, women’s fashion, lingerie, 19th-century undergarment, handmade clothing, handmade lace, crocheted lace, towns family, nhill, eliza towns

This handmade women’s combination undergarment features hand-worked lace panels and trim, and fine pintucks. It is one of seven handmade items of white cotton underwear, all made with beautiful needlework and embroidery skill. The lingerie once belonged to the donor’s great-grandmother’s family, the Paton family of ‘Trefnant’, Yangery, in southwest Victoria. The design of this combination undergarment, or ‘combination’, includes a chemise attached to a pair of drawers or bloomers. The combination is divided, or bifurcated, from the waist to the crutch for easier urinating. This one-piece type of underwear was worn by females from the 1860s and into the early 1900s. The 19th Century garments had front button closures like this one, and those made in the 1900s more often had back closures. Combination underwear was popular because the all-in-one design had far fewer gathers and bulk, making the other clothing look much smoother. The collection of women’s late-19th-century undergarments is an example of clothing that women would include in their wardrobes. The garments add to the study of the evolution of women's fashions and practicality for the early Australian settlers. The fine linen fabric and the careful needlework in these handmade garments and hand-worked lace trims reflect the maker’s dedication to making even serviceable garments beautiful to look at and wear. Women’s white cotton and lace all-In-one combination undergarment. The handmade underwear is a combined chemise and bloomers. It has a front button closure and is trimmed with hand-worked lace panels on the bodice and lace edging around armholes, the neck, and the bottom of the legs. The left and right sides are divided from the waist to the crutch.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, southwest victoria, victorian era, combination undergarment, all-in-one underwear, combination, ‘combinations’, one-piece underwear, one-piece undergarment, chemise and bloomers, combination chemise and bloomers, divided, bifurcated, split, chemise and drawers, women’s underwear, ladies’ underwear, undergarment, women’s clothing, women’s fashion, lingerie, under-structure, 1900s undergarments, 19th-century undergarment, 20th century, handmade clothing, handmade lace, hand-worked lace, paton family, trefnant, yangery, lady's combinations, ladies combinations

This handmade women’s camisole features hand-worked lace yoke and trim and a drawstring peplum waist. It is one of seven handmade items of white cotton underwear, all made with beautiful needlework and embroidery skill. The lingerie once belonged to the donor’s great-grandmother’s family, the Paton family of ‘Trefnant’, Yangery, in southwest Victoria. The collection of women’s late-19th-century undergarments is an example of clothing that women would include in their wardrobes. The garments add to the study of the evolution of women's fashions and practicality for the early Australian settlers. The fine linen fabric and the careful needlework in these handmade garments and hand-worked lace trims reflect the maker’s dedication to making even serviceable garments beautiful to look at and wear. Women's camisole, short sleeves and peplum waist. Handmade from white cotton fabric, with hand-worked lace sleeve tips, collar, waist trim and yoke. There are five buttons and two ties down the front.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, southwest victoria, victorian era, women’s underwear, ladies’ underwear, undergarment, under-structure, 1900s undergarments, 19th-century undergarment, women’s clothing, women’s fashion, lingerie, 19th century, handmade clothing, handmade lace, hand-worked lace, camisole, paton family, trefnant, yangery

This handmade women’s camisole features hand-worked lace yoke and trim and a drawstring peplum waist. It is one of seven handmade items of white cotton underwear, all made with beautiful needlework and embroidery skill. The lingerie once belonged to the donor’s great-grandmother’s family, the Paton family of ‘Trefnant’, Yangery, in southwest Victoria. The collection of women’s late-19th-century undergarments is an example of clothing that women would include in their wardrobes. The garments add to the study of the evolution of women's fashions and practicality for the early Australian settlers. The fine linen fabric and the careful needlework in these handmade garments and hand-worked lace trims reflect the maker’s dedication to making even serviceable garments beautiful to look at and wear. Women's camisole, short sleeves and peplum waist. Handmade from white cotton fabric, with hand-worked lace sleeve tips, neck trim and waist trim. Drawstring, tie and button closure.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, southwest victoria, victorian era, women’s underwear, ladies’ underwear, undergarment, under-structure, 1900s undergarments, 19th-century undergarment, women’s clothing, women’s fashion, lingerie, 19th century, handmade clothing, handmade lace, hand-worked lace, camisole, paton family, trefnant, yangery

This handmade women’s camisole features hand-worked lace yoke and trim and a drawstring peplum waist. It is one of seven handmade items of white cotton underwear, all made with beautiful needlework and embroidery skill. The lingerie once belonged to the donor’s great-grandmother’s family, the Paton family of ‘Trefnant’, Yangery, in southwest Victoria. The collection of women’s late-19th-century undergarments is an example of clothing that women would include in their wardrobes. The garments add to the study of the evolution of women's fashions and practicality for the early Australian settlers. The fine linen fabric and the careful needlework in these handmade garments and hand-worked lace trims reflect the maker’s dedication to making even serviceable garments beautiful to look at and wear. Women's camisole, short sleeves and peplum waist. Handmade from white cotton fabric, with hand-worked lace sleeve tips, collar and waist trim. It has button closures down the front.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, southwest victoria, victorian era, women’s underwear, ladies’ underwear, undergarment, under-structure, 1900s undergarments, 19th-century undergarment, women’s clothing, women’s fashion, lingerie, 19th century, handmade clothing, handmade lace, hand-worked lace, camisole, paton family, trefnant, yangery

This handmade women’s camisole features hand-worked lace yoke and trim and a drawstring peplum waist. It is one of seven handmade items of white cotton underwear, all made with beautiful needlework and embroidery skill. The lingerie once belonged to the donor’s great-grandmother’s family, the Paton family of ‘Trefnant’, Yangery, in southwest Victoria. The collection of women’s late-19th-century undergarments is an example of clothing that women would include in their wardrobes. The garments add to the study of the evolution of women's fashions and practicality for the early Australian settlers. The fine linen fabric and the careful needlework in these handmade garments and hand-worked lace trims reflect the maker’s dedication to making even serviceable garments beautiful to look at and wear. Women's camisole, short sleeves and drawstring peplum waist. Handmade from white cotton fabric, with hand-worked lace sleeve tips, collar and waist trim. Front closure.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, southwest victoria, victorian era, women’s underwear, ladies’ underwear, undergarment, under-structure, 1900s undergarments, 19th-century undergarment, women’s clothing, women’s fashion, lingerie, 19th century, handmade clothing, handmade lace, hand-worked lace, camisole, paton family, trefnant, yangery

Style of christening gown used during 1900'sLong white cotton gown, handmade. White cotton lace trim at neck. Handmade lace insertions in bodice, drawstring at waist. Skirt: four panels of six pin tucks and three rows of insertions, bottom frill 8.5 cm handmade lace.costume, infants'

Victorian black mourning fan with ebony struts and handmade lace inserts with sequins.fans, folding fans, mourning fans

This lady’s hand sewn fine cotton nightdress is an example of the dressmaking and craftwork skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families A lady's hand sewn fine cotton long sleeved nightdress with the bodice and cuffs decorated with handmade lace. clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh,, lacework

Just 23cm in length, this lovely piece is an example of handmade Maltese silk lace. Maltese lace has an interesting history. It began as a needle lace which was developed in Genoa and in 1530 was brought to Malta and Gozo by the Knights who were sons of noble families in Europe. This was a time of great demand and lace was used in the clothing of men, women, children, and the clergy for its decorative element but also as a sign of wealth and status. In the mid 1800s Lady Hamilton Chichester sent lacemakers from Genoa to Malta where they turned the old needle lace patterns to bobbin lace which was much faster. The art of lacemaking is still taught in Malta in evening classes, government trade schools for girls and at the School of the Arts. Maltese lace can be identified by the following characteristics: a) cream silk, b) 8-pointed Maltese cross worked in cloth stitch c) closely worked leaves or ‘wheat ears’ all of which occur in this pieceThe Amess family owned Churchill Island from 1872 to 1929. This lace collection was owned and contributed to by four generations of Amess women, see above.Handmade Maltese silk lace lace, churchill island, janet amess lace collection, neckpiece, clothing, garment, amess, maltese, silk, handmade

Trousseau of Mrs. A. Mitchell (1877)White cotton drawers with handmade lace and insertion. Long legs with lace at the hem and side placquet openings with a tie at the waist and buttons on waist.drawers (underpants), underwear

W. Gray was the president of the Whitehorse Historical Society, and this was the property of his wife Beryl Gray.Tablecloth, Ecru, Linen 84cm x 84cm; Handmade lace around the edge 62cm x 32cm deep lace across two corners.E Smythemanchester, table linen

William Gray was the President of the Whitehorse Historical Society during the 1980s and this was the property of his wife Beryl GrayDoyly. Oval, 38cm x 27cm, Needle Lace. Inner ground surrounding the flowers, is on French Argentinian ground or mesh with cotton handmade lace.manchester, table linen

Part of Betty Jones collectionWhite, handmade needle lace collar for female dress.costume accessories, female

These small 8cm circles are not crochet but are made of bobbin lace. They may have been placed under trinkets on a dressing table or on a side table. In the late 19th century it was fashionable to have a collection of lace, and these may have been acquired for this purpose.The Amess family owned Churchill Island from 1872 to 1929. This lace collection was owned and contributed to by four generations of Amess women.Handmade - probably bobbin lacecrochet, churchill island, janet amess lace collection, lace, bobbin, crotchet, amess

Princess lace flower mat made in Bruges from collection of Nan WarnerCream lace square with ornate lace motifs in each corner and lace edged.lace, handmade, bruges, nan warner

Handmade black lace and fabric flower bonnet. The flowers are edged in white. The lining is in black net.visiting, outing, dressed up

These pieces replicate bobbin lace as can be seen by the fine knots in the diamond shaped net ground and the gimp or outline has been given the appearance of being tamboured in a fine chain stitch. These cotton lace pieces have been cut from a larger piece which by shape and size appear to have been intended for a collar. They are machine made and very likely were woven on a Leavers machine with the chain stitch outline being added by a Bonnaz/Cornely machine. The Leavers machine, once coupled with the French Jacquard machine in the late 1830s, made excellent copies of any handmade lace which could be reproduced much more cheaply and much faster than the time consuming handmade laces. The Jacquard machine was invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard and was first demonstrated in 1801. It worked by threading a series of interlaced punched cards through the machine with each row of holes in the cards corresponding to a row in a textile design. The Jacquard loom influenced the future development of computer technology and its attachment to the Leavers net making machine opened the ability to recreate countless varieties of formerly handmade lace.The Amess family owned Churchill Island from 1872 to 1929Two triangles of lace cut from a larger piece, machine made, floral and leaf decorationchurchill island, lace, janet amess lace collection, amess

A machine made length of lace trim which is off-white in colour, the delicate design features a six-petalled flower with a zigzag motif and a scalloped picot edge. Close inspection reveals subtle picots in the square net to achieve shading. One can imagine how feminine a woman would feel with this lace adorning her garments, possibly at the neck and cuffs of an afternoon dress or as an edging on a petticoat or nightgown. By the mid 19th century, machine made lace had improved so much that it was used by the couture houses on fashionable garments and the handmade lace makers countered by broadening the scope of their lace and marketing it as ‘real’ lace. By the end of the 19th century machines could make perfect copies of any handmade lace.The Amess family owned Churchill Island from 1872 to 1929machine made off-white length of lace trim with zig-zag and flower motif and scalloped picot edge.churchill island, lace, janet amess lace collection, amess