Historical information

Thelma Kinleside Crawford is remembered for her wild flower designs for embroidery. After finishing 3 years studying art at Swinburne Technical College (her aim was to become a writer and illustrator of children's books) she was employed as a designer by Miss Hilda King of International Needlework. In 1939 Miss Crawford established a small shop on the 3rd floor of Block Arcade - well frequented through to 1960's by the women of Melbourne. In 1950 she ran a week long exhibition of her work at the Hotel South Australia in Adelaide.
in 1954 a pale pink linen cloth embroidered by Miss Crawford was presented to the Queen by the YWCA now known as the 'Queen's Cloth".
In October 1954 Woman's Day ran a feature of Miss Crawford's designs.
In 1959 and 1960 displays were mounted at the Tasmanian Tourist Bureau.
In 1960 she closed her Block Arcade shop and moved to the "Little Shop" in Croydon near her home.
In 1968 she retired to the Brotherhood of St. Laurence homes in Lara. She died in 1985 and bequeathed all her designs to the Geelong Branch of the EGV. She was a foundation member of the EGV.

Physical description

Natural coloured linen luncheon mat worked with self coloured linen threads. Simple decoration of waratah flower head embroidered in each corner using surface stitchery and eyelet holes. The edge is buttonholed.