Celebrated 7 years in Melbourne with a quick visit to Labassa Mansion for a talk about historical clothing.
This dress belonged to a 14 year old immigrant from Scotland in mid 1850s. Made of wool, its all handstitched (very neatly.) Decorative walnut buttons on the front and pockets! This has never been washed and is in pretty immaculate condition - just two patches of slight damage.
This dress on the right dates from 1879. Machine stitched finely striped green and white silk, complete with bustle, it was made for Miss Eliza Lawson of Warrnambool, for the occasion of her 10th birthday. It does have some spots on it though, analysed to be rouge (!) ink and something sugary.
