Photos For Inspiration

Each thumbnail below links to a file that contains several pictures of the particular inspirational piece. There are eight inspirational pieces in total. You will need Adobe Reader to view these files, which you can download for free from here.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, one of the ‘items for inspiration’ has been replaced by another selection. We apologize for the inconvenience.

A woman’s cloche in fuchsia velvet lined with plum taffeta. There are two double metal tassels on either side and the crown is embellished with multi-coloured velvet roses.  It measures 18 cm from crown to lower edge with an 11 cm crown. It dates to the 1930s.

Hooked rug, 75 cm x 105 cm oval. Colourful centre sunflower design with a wide grey border, surrounded by a row of red and black tweed, followed by a row of black. Scalloped outer border. Made in Mono in 1930s.

Peacock blue corset elaborately decorated with white embroidery. Made in two fan-shaped sections, boned and trimmed with buttons, braid and velvet ribbon.

About 1890.

Beaded deerskin jacket embellished with glass bead floral designs on collar, front panels, all four pockets, cuffs and hem with medallions on back. Also includes detailing in porcupine quillwork. A combination of hand and machine stitching. Dates to the first quarter of the twentieth century.

Victorian evening dress of black silk with ecru lace yoke and trim on sleeves. The skirt and train are adorned with embroidered sections (two at the front and one wider section for the train). The embroidery is in black satin and chain stitches on black net with some padding to enhance the satin stitching. The fitted bodice is trimmed with similar black embroidery. The elbow-length sleeves end in a double layer of crocheted lace. This elegant outfit dates to around 1900.

Brown taffeta two-piece dress with salmon taffeta highlights on both skirt and bodice. Skirt is heavily pleated at back with bustle and has fine pleated trim at hem. Fitted bodice has covered buttons and the same pleated trim at cuffs. About 1870.

Pieced quilt, of wool, possibly handspun. A variation of the Square in a Square pattern, made up of triangles. About 168 x 180 cm. Of solid colours and some tweeds. Consists of nine, 50 cm squares with an inner square of 38 cm, and a centre square about 25 cm. Pieced bindings top and bottom. Assembled by machine and quilted by hand. Made by Catherine Fleming who settled in what was to become Dufferin County around 1830. Quilt dates to 1860s.

Lady’s beaded purse, lined in brown silk and measuring 23 cm deep by 16 cm wide. It is beaded both front and back. The upper section is a shell pattern using black, yellow, and blue glass beads. The lower section is a stylized floral in brown, wine, gold, blue, yellow, and green. A looped fringe of brown beads finishes the bottom. Handle, chain and closing of plastic in a tortoise shell pattern. About 1900.