Clothing, that most personal of items, can tell stories of the lives of those who have worn them, and those on display at our local museum represent a variety of stories.
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Some clothing has been lovingly preserved and cared for, while others bear the hallmarks of everyday living, stained and mended.
The construction of the garments demonstrate the crafts and skills of women who painstakingly hand or machine stitched and embroidered the clothing, most likely by lamplight at the end of a busy day.
A passion for clothing and fashion has led Canberra collector Elizabeth Burness to amass an impressive array of children's garments, accessories and toys that span two centuries and three continents.
One such example is an entirely hand stitched Regency style christening gown that originated from the Peirce family of Canaan, Connecticut, USA.
The gown features a draw string neckline, front panel, skirt and sleeves elaborately decorated with 'Van Dyke points' or 'saw tooth' pin-tucking.
The tucks are cut, folded in and over sewn with minute stitches. It is a work of art.
Two garments came from the dispersal of England's largest private collection at Castle Howard (of Brideshead Revisited fame) in 2003.
One, a small red cape, came with its original owner's married name and dates of birth and death attached.
Genealogical research revealed its origins in Willoughby, Warwickshire where it had been made for Jane Johnson who was born in 1862.
Resourcefulness can be found in a blue floral dress that was made by an Eastern European woman on board a ship as she sailed to a new life in Australia after the Second World War.
The clothing made during the voyage was sold on arrival to provide an income.
Examples of children's embroidery are also featured, including a band sampler sewn in cross stitch by Jane Wheatley, which was completed in 1838.
Several garments belonged to the De Salis children of Cuppacumbalong and the Campbell children of Duntroon, Canberra are displayed.
Closer to home there are also a number of garments from the local collection.
With just two more weeks before the exhibition ends there is limited time to see these incredible garments.
Elizabeth, who is known to many for her lively presentations featuring clothing from her collections, will be presenting a talk - Two Decades of Collecting Clothing and Textiles - on Saturday, June 1 at 2pm in the Yass and District Museum.
See our website www.yasshistory.org.au for full details.