Tatting is a form of knotted lace making using thread and a small shuttle. Twisted threads are tied around or through small, pointed shuttles that can be made of bone, mother of pearl, tortoise shell, steel or plastic. This produces a stable, strong lace using simple knots of two half hitches to make rings and chains embellished with picots. The origins of tatting are not clear but early versions of decorative knotting were used by the Egyptians on their ceremonial dress. Tatting also has elements of fishermen's net making techniques and the decorative knotting that was practiced by aristocratic women from the 15th century. Tatting, as we know it today, emerged in the first half of the 19th century. The new availability of mercerised thread from 1835 encouraged a burgeoning of lace crafts of all sorts. It was known in Italy as "occhi" and in France as "la frivolite". It looks fragile but is both strong and durable. An article in a column named "Wives and Daughters" published in the Star newspaper in May 1910 describes the durability of tatting lace - "there is edging and insertion still in existence that have outworn two sets of pillow slips." In the 19th century and well into the 20th century, tatting was used like crochet and knitted lace for decorative edgings, collars, doylies, tray cloths etc. At first, different tatting patterns were passed along by word of mouth from person to person, however in time, patterns regularly appeared in newspapers and magazines well into the 1950's. Paragon knitting, crochet and tatting books have been distributed throughout Australia since the 1930's, originally by "Paragon Art Needlework Pty Ltd" of Sydney, N.S.W. From 1946 these books were designed and printed in Australia from patterns provided by British and Australian thread companies. Consequently these patterns may also appear in similar British and American publications. Paragon Book No. 104 is an instruction book designed for the "beginner" whilst Paragon book No. 105 is designed for the more experienced tatter. The layout of these books was typical of the 1940s period when paper was in short supply. Most of the pattern books were approximately 18 cms wide by 24 cms high and some were smaller at about 13cm by 21 cms. The type used was small (about four lines of text per centimetre) which was difficult to read.This item is an excellent example of a needle work pattern book available to women in the 1940's in Australia.A soft covered 16 page instruction book with black and white photographs and detailed instructions explaining how to tat and eight tatting projects including how to make a collar and handkerchief edgings, published by Paragon Art Needlecraft of Sydney.Front cover - "PARAGON BOOK NO. 104" "PRICE 1/3" "Learn to/ TAT' Back Cover - "36/D5 E/A DO2" - handwritten in pencil flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, tatting, tatting pattern book, tatting instructions, handicraft, needlework, shuttle, tatting shuttle, paragon needlecraft, paragon craft book

Front and back covers of "Smocking Simplified". An example of 1940s advertising through sewing and homemaker books. In this book, instructions are given for smocking of garments. Smocking is an embroidery technique used to gather fabric. An example of mid 20th century advertising through 'how-to' books.Digital copy of front and back covers of a bookhistoric advertisements, smocking, embroidery, hand sewing, paragon art needlecraft

Sample page from "Smocking Simplified", showing a line drawing of two small girls wearing smocked dresses. An example of 1940s advertising through sewing and homemaker books. In this book, instructions are given for smocking of garments. Smocking is an embroidery technique used to gather fabric. An example of mid 20th century advertising through 'how-to' books.Digital copy of sample page from a bookhistoric advertisements, smocking, embroidery, hand sewing, paragon art needlecraft

This book was owned by the late Dr Elizabeth Kerr and was donated to the Museum by the executor of her estate, Margaret Cameron. It was produced by Paragon and contains knitting patterns for baby bootees.Knitting pattern book, 16pp. Cover printed in black and white with photos of baby bootees. Contains photos and knitting patterns for baby bootees.PARAGON / Bootee Book / 21 PAIRS OF BABY BOOTEES / 1'6knitting handicrafts - history, paragon art needlecraft, knitting, handicrafts - history, fashion, style, wool

Tatting is a form of knotted lace making using thread and a small shuttle. Twisted threads are tied around or through small, pointed shuttles that can be made of bone, mother of pearl, tortoise shell, steel or plastic. This produces a stable, strong lace using simple knots of two half hitches to make rings and chains embellished with picots. The origins of tatting are not clear but early versions of decorative knotting were used by the Egyptians on their ceremonial dress. Tatting also has elements of fishermen's net making techniques and the decorative knotting that was practiced by aristocratic women from the 15th century. Tatting, as we know it today, emerged in the first half of the 19th century. The new availability of mercerised thread from 1835 encouraged a burgeoning of lace crafts of all sorts. It was known in Italy as "occhi" and in France as "la frivolite". It looks fragile but is both strong and durable. An article in a column named "Wives and Daughters" published in the Star newspaper in May 1910 describes the durability of tatting lace - "there is edging and insertion still in existence that have outworn two sets of pillow slips." In the 19th century and well into the 20th century, tatting was used like crochet and knitted lace for decorative edgings, collars, doylies, tray cloths etc. At first, different tatting patterns were passed along by word of mouth from person to person, however in time, patterns regularly appeared in newspapers and magazines well into the 1950's. Paragon knitting, crochet and tatting books have been distributed throughout Australia since the 1930's, originally by "Paragon Art Needlework Pty Ltd" of Sydney, N.S.W. From 1946 these books were designed and printed in Australia from patterns provided by British and Australian thread companies. Consequently these patterns may also appear in similar British and American publications. Paragon Book No. 104 is an instruction book designed for the "beginner" whilst Paragon book No. 105 is designed for the more experienced tatter. The layout of these books was typical of the 1940s period when paper was in short supply. Most of the pattern books were approximately 18 cms wide by 24 cms high and some were smaller at about 13cm by 21 cms. The type used was small (about four lines of text per centimetre) which was difficult to read. This item is an excellent example of a needle work pattern book available to women in the 1940's in Australia.A soft covered, 16 page instruction book titled "Tatting Designs". It has black and white photographs and detailed patterns for tatted doilies, a tray mat, a chairback and arm rests, a cheval set, a luncheon set, collars and edgings for an underskirt, gloves and handkerchief. It is published by Paragon Art Needlecraft of Sydney.Front cover - "Paragon's No 105" "PRICE 1/3" "Tatting Designs" "Household Linens * Personal Wear" Plus a stylized drawing of a deerflagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, warrnambool, shipwreck coast, tatting book, tatting patterns, craft, handiwork, handcraft, needlework, shuttle

Sixteen page black and white pattern book with designs for hats, bags, gloves and blouses. Book contains black and white photographs and printed text. Front cover shows images of women wearing various knitted items. front: [printed] BOOK 67 / HATS, BAGS, GLOVES and BLOUSES / CROCHET AND KNITTED / Paragon / KNITTING BOOK / PRICE 1’3fashion, women, knitting, crochet, home life, patterns

Sixteen page black and white pattern book containing black and white photographs and printed text. Front cover features blue, black and white graphics showing a man holding a pipe. The back cover shows a man holding a pipe with graphics of skiers in the background.front: [printed] Paragon / KNITTING BOOK / BOOK / 54 / FOR MEN / “Commander” / PRICE / 1/.fashion, women, knitting, crochet, home life, patterns

Fourteen page knitting pattern book featuring black and white printed graphics and text. The cover shows a young boy wearing a knitted cardigan, shirt and tie.front: [printed] Paragon / KNITTING BOOK / No. 18 / 1/6 / 7 New Knitteds / 2 - 5 YEARS / FOY & GIBSON PTY LTDknitting, pattern, fashion, knitwear

This book was produced by Paragon and contains knitting patterns for baby clothes.Paragon / KNITTING BOOK / Cuddle Cardigans / BIRTH TO 2 YEARS / BOOK 66 / Price 1'3knitting handicrafts - history, paragon art needlecraft, knitting, handicrafts - history

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book was produced by Paragon and contains patterns for baby clothes.Paragon / KNITTING BOOK / Number 70 / 4 LAYETTES / A SHAWL AND A / REVERSIBLE PRAM COVER / 1'3knitting handicrafts - history, paragon art needlecraft, knitting, handicrafts - history

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book was produced by Paragon and contains patterns for crocheted gloves.Paragon / Crochet / Gloves / BOOK NO 5 / NEEDLEWORK SPECIALISTS / PRICE 1/.crochet handicrafts - history, paragon art needlecraft, crochet, handicrafts - history

One of a collection of 56 knitting pattern books donated by Mrs Hilma Carruthers. These books had been used by Mrs Carruthers, her mother and her two daughters. This book was produced by Paragon and contains knitting patterns for baby clothes.Paragon / KNITTING BOOK / No. 75 / LAYETTES / PRAM SET / PRAM COVER / Price 1'3handicrafts - history knitting, paragon art needlecraft, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was owned by the late Dr Elizabeth Kerr and was donated to the Museum by the executor of her estate, Margaret Cameron. It was produced by Paragon and contains knitting patterns for womens garments.1'3 / Modella / KNITTING BOOK No. 502 / M / A PARAGON PUBLICATIONknitting handicrafts - history, paragon art needlecraft, knitting, handicrafts - history

This book was owned by the late Dr Elizabeth Kerr and was donated to the Museum by the executor of her estate, Margaret Cameron. It was produced by Paragon and contains knitting patterns for socks.Paragon / KNITTING BOOK / No. 38 / SOCK BOOK / 1'6knitting handicrafts - history, paragon art needlecraft, knitting, handicrafts - history

This book was owned by the late Dr Elizabeth Kerr and was donated to the Museum by the executor of her estate, Margaret Cameron. It was produced by Paragon and contains knitting patterns for clothes for babies and young children.PARAGON BABY BOOK / 6 MONTHS TO 2 YEARS / No. 2 / 1'3knitting handicrafts - history, paragon art needlecraft, knitting, handicrafts - history

Crochet books used by donor's mother, Molly Myers who lived in Blackburn.1 Coates Mercer- crochet design leaflet 741 No. 29 . Mostly black cover with top yellow band with picture of 7 designs. Patterns inside 15c recommended price. .2 Paragon No 103 crochet edgings book, price 35c. Mostly black cover with blue corner with Paragon No 103 on. Black has the designs shown. Full working instructions inside. Patterns inside. Back page has Needlecraft Productions other booklets and publish details. .3 34 Semco crochet edges box 22. Mostly gold with black bands of designs. Back cover gold with lace pattern.As above detailshandcrafts, crocheting or crochet work