Miniature Machines

Last Sunday we headed north to Geraldton to view the many exhibits at their Heritage Day, held in the grounds of the Queen's Park theatre.

Cars, tractors, a miniature oil-fired 'steam engine' pulling 'carriages' for children's rides, two ponies pulling a cart for rides for all ages, a parade of dresses mainly beginning from the 1950's ... how fashions have changed!  The one thing that amused me was that none of the models wore stockings; remember stockings with seams that had to be checked and double checked for a straight line up the back of the leg before going out the door?! 

A room held exhibitions of various kinds; beautiful old dolls, some in cane prams, a well loved teddy bear, a display featuring the Shoemaker and the elves, and some absolutely gorgeous satin roses.

Further into the room several ladies demonstrated their art using wool ... one had a wonderful crocheted rug adorned with crochet flowers, another demonstrated felting, while a third pedalled on her spinning wheel. 

The walls were draped in an assortment of handiwork; doilies such as we had when I was young and which are making a resurgence as part of another item, a hand quilted quilt, delightfully embroidered supper cloths that seldom make it to the table today, a tea cosy knitted in 4-ply and a display of tins. 

In one corner several old sewing machines captured the attention of the sewers attending, and in another corner part of a collection of 70 miniature sewing machines certainly captured my attention. 

It was easy to imagine a young girl learning to sew on one of these, and perhaps making a dress for her doll.  The exhibitor was surprised at the amount of attention her display attracted and commented that she wished she had brought all ... I wish she had as well!