Made to Measure

A friend of mine is currently doing a PhD on "Dressmakers in Post-War Australian Society" and I offered to do a call-out for people for her to interview for the study... I started looking through the family files for appropriate photos to accompany the post. It's hours later, and I've been completely absorbed in photos.... ..like these, of my parents (top) and a very dear aunt and uncle (above) in their "going away" outfits after they were married..... gorgeous.

My Mum and two of her sisters were all married within the same year (in the early 50's). The 3 sisters were all much the same (tiny) size and the family wasn't exactly awash with money. They had the one bridal gown made in Flinders Lane,and each wore it on their own special day. Photos of my lovely Auntie Wilma seem to be sorely lacking in my photo files, which is an awful shame. It'd be good to have photos of all three girls. For these thrifty, crafty girls, having something made was a huge treat. I remember my Mum telling about it and showing me the dress when I was very small. (And then, when I asked her about it when I was a teenager, she couldn't remember what happened to the dress.....sigh).
(Another family wedding. Two of my sisters and a brother are kids in the bottom-right of this photo, which dates it at about 1963).

Did you have an aunt, grandmother or family friend who was a dressmaker in the 50's and 60's in Australia, who would be willing and able to be interviewed for my friend's study?

This research will focus specifically on dressmakers using their home as the base for their work. The main aim of the research project is to investigate the personal experience of the dressmaker and what it meant to be a dressmaker in Australian society at this time.

My friend, Jenny-Lynn, is seeking women who fit the above criteria and who are willing to participate in this research project. Participation will involve one or two interviews at their home (or a preferred location). The interviews will take approximately 60 minutes. They will be asked questions about their own personal experience of working as a dressmaker and how they managed their work alongside of any family or domestic responsibilities.

This is an opportunity to contribute to expanding the body of knowledge about the social and cultural history of women, work and family in Post WW2 Australian society. (Personally, I'm looking forward to reading this when it's published!!!)

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Oh - and if anyone in Melbourne needs anything made-to-measure, or needs some freelance pattern-making/sampling done, my sewing buddy has just decided to go freelance..... she might be your girl!