This box which once contained linen thread manufactured in Scotland and labelled "British" manufacture" was used for the repair/manufacture of clothing by professional seamstresses and those wives required to "do" repair stitching of family clothes. This box was manufactured in a period when the title "United Kingdom" was used (late 1700's early 1900's) to describe the union of Britain and Scotland. The label however can be misleading as the"British Manufacture" thread was manufactured in Scotland. The broad term "British Manufacture" was used for the benefit of those in the "colonies" of Australia and New Zealand, during a period when the "coined" phrase "best of British, or British best" was synonymous to "top quality". After World War II the need for "cheaper products" was more persuasive than the quality of the product. In rural areas this shift to cheaper "non British" goods was at a slower rate than in the cities. Goods such as clothing manufactured or altered by seamstresses were regarded as of a higher standard and therefor the use of linen thread from "Britain" was a sign of quality and reliability.This box which contained linen thread, "British" made, is very significant to the Kiewa Valley because it demonstrates the conditions under which households in the late 1800's and early 1900's evolved from a "domestic repair /replacement" of damaged clothing to a consumer of recycled and shop bought clothing and linen. The ability of semi isolated rural based families to purchase "off the rack" clothing was severely affected by weather, long distance over dirt roads(poorly serviced) to large towns(shops), horse/cart or slower driven cars. The purchasing of clothing was, on the whole, from trading house "mail order" consignment orders.This red paper covered box has a white covered lid (top) with black print detailing the manufacturer and contents. This box contained 150 yds of linen thread 2 cord. A small added note pasted on one side "USUAL TWIST (s)" describing the thread's appearance. Two semicircular "finger" holes on two sides of the lid permit easier removal of the lid from the base.On the top lid: "W.&J. KNOX'S" below this a crest with latin motive "MOVEO ET PROFICIOR" English translation "I proceed and am more prosperous" encircling an open winged falcon. below this "LINEN THREAD", "2 CORD." "WARRANTED" "150 Yds." Made from Flax." British Manufacture". On one side "DRABS SOFT FINISH" within a shield "KNOX'S TWO CORD 150 YARDS 30" next to this a trade mark "W & J KNOX below this "made in KILBIRNIE, SCOTLAND"thread, cord. flax, box container, linen thread, seamstress items, cardboard box

Due to relative long distance to haberdashery stores majority of children's garments were hand made by a local talented seamstress or mother/relative. This apron is very similar in style to the other children's clothing which indicates it could have been made in the early - mid 1900's. It is preventative of aprons which little girls wore over their dresses at the time. This items has good historical significance because it shows the style of aprons which little girls wore over their dresses in the Kiewa Valley during the early to mid 1900's. This is part of the children's clothes in the KVHS collections which gives this item more interpretive capacity. Natural coloured linen with red binding around the edges. 2 white buttons. Would fit a small child.clothing. children. apron.

Due to relative long distance to haberdashery stores majority of children's garments were hand made by a local talented seamstress or mother/relative. This bonnet is very similar is style and fashion to other children's clothing in KVHS collection which indicates this was made during the early 1900's. This has good historical significance because it shows the fashions during the early 1900's which baby bonnets were made by women of the Kiewa Valley. This item also has good interpretive capacity as it adds to the other babies clothing in the KVHS collection and therefore increases the interpretive capacity for the children's clothesCream muslin with 1 cm wide lace around the face and neck. Pin tucks threaded with fine string and 2 tape ties 13 cm long. Also string used to gather the neck edge.baby. bonnet. christening. clothing. infant.

This dress was possibly manufactured by a local seamstress in the period circa early 1900.The quality of the dress suggests that the lady who wore it was from middle to upper range of the socio-economic structure within the Kiewa ValleyHistorically this item dating in the early 1900s was made by a very competent seamstress (lack of manufacturer's label). It demonstrates that the conditions of relative isolation within the Kiewa Valley was not extreme and that local manufacture of clothing items were available and at a very high level of quality. This item demonstrates that the hand made era was alive and an essential part of community/social adhesion within the valley.Beige knitted dress, sleeveless ladies pin weaved running from waist to bottom. Fine pin weave from bust to waist. Two mother of pearl buttons fastening opening front neck 11cm from neck to upper breastno manufacturer's label suggesting manufacturer was a very talented local seamstress costume, woollen, knitted, dress, female clothing

This Item is one of four bedroom items hand made in circa 1900 by Amalihe Pierin. Her Son brought the item when he emigrated to Australia and members of the family still reside in the Kiewa Valley. Historically this item represents the requirement by families to manufacture a whole range of bedroom coverings due to the lack of professionally manufactured goods. Isolation from big towns or cities required local seamstress activities and therefore closer social bonding was a necessity. Although this item was transported from Italy to Australia by the son of Amalihine Pierin the significance still remains the sameLinen (white) cut work and hand embroidered central floral scene with decorative cut work above, leaf shapes 2cm border with triangular hand stitching tatting embroidery, handcrafts, bedroom linen, trimmings, cut work

This Item is one of four bedroom items hand made in circa 1900 by Amalihe Pierin. Her Son brought the item when he emigrated to Australia and members of the family still reside in the Kiewa Valley. Historically this item represents the requirement by families to manufacture a whole range of bedroom coverings due to the lack of professionally manufactured goods. Isolation from big towns or cities required local seamstress activities and therefore closer social bonding was a necessity. Although this item was transported from Italy to Australia by the son of Amalihine Pierin the significance still remains the sameLinen (white) cut work and embroidered central floral scene with decorative cut work above leaf shapes 2cm border with triangular hand stitching attine.embroidery, handcrafts, bedroom linen, trimmings, cut work

This Item is one of four bedroom items hand made in circa 1900 by Amalihe Pierin. Her Son brought the item when he emigrated to Australia and members of the family still reside in the Kiewa Valley. Historically this item represents the requirement by families to manufacture a whole range of bedroom coverings due to the lack of professionally manufactured goods. Isolation from big towns or cities required local seamstress activities and therefore closer social bonding was a necessity. Although this item was transported from Italy to Australia by the son of Amalihine Pierin the significance still remains the samelinen white cut work and embroidered central oval shape with matching floral design at either end with leaf leaf shapes above 2cm border with triangular stitching tattine embroidery, handcrafts, bedroom linen, trimmings, cut work

This Item is one of four bedroom items hand made in circa 1900 by Amalihe Pierin. Her Son brought the item when he emigrated to Australia and members of the family still reside in the Kiewa Valley. Historically this item represents the requirement by families to manufacture a whole range of bedroom coverings due to the lack of professionally manufactured goods. Isolation from big towns or cities required local seamstress activities and therefore closer social bonding was a necessity. Although this item was transported from Italy to Australia by the son of Amalihine Pierin the significance still remains the sameLinen (white) cut work and embroidered central design tatting diamond shape with embroidered scrolls either side cut work leaves top and bottom L shaped tatting inner border with triangular tatting 2cm outer bordered hole patternembroidery, handcrafts, bedroom linen, trimmings, cut work

Historically this item highlights the middle to upper to middle socio economic levels of a rural community in the 1920s to 1950s. The fashion dictated to by the larger cities and towns were for some smaller items of house hold furniture encompassed by homes in the region, not only because of practicality but also for longevity of the item it protected.The significance of this item in showing that although the region was to a small degree isolated from the "latest" fashion of house hold dressage, it was to a certain degree not regional and that the fashion of the day in large cities and towns was instilled through magazines and Country Women,s organisations.Fine cotton table runner. Middle section has a 2cm wide crochet insert around it with another border of cotton around it 2cm wide. All the item is edged with a 7cm wide crochet band.hand craft, furniture dressing, lace, crochet, cotton furniture proctective coverings