A GREAT DAY AT THE POWERHOUSE MUSEUM

We had the wonderful opportunity of actually visiting the "vaults" at the Powerhouse on Wednesday 14th Nov to see close up some waggas from the Museum's collection. Like kids in lollyshop were we - tempted but not touching - walking past cages of ceramics - drawers of clothing - furniture - shields - old and new identifiable and not so identifiable technology. There was a lovley chill in the air - it was a glorious sunny Syndey day outside and many of us had hurried to get there.

A volunteer and her able assitant patiently waited whilst we oohed and ahhed over the waggas they produced. It would have seemed odd to anyone but those present to hears the queries and comments made by us.

In many cases there was little information other than the provence of these waggas.

• One had been lovingly made by a new bride in the 1930's for her husband to take camping - and so protect her own new blankets. We marvelled at the blues which seemed so bright. The archive notations suggested that the husband was very pleased with his gitft and told all his wife had made it for him. Click here for a look.
• Whilst none of the waggas had a flour bag as backing or internal lining, two had been made with hession. One in particular facinated all of us - tailors samples, with no attempt to create a pattern, had been laid on hessionin the order they may have been in the sample book and oversewn without regard to neatess and straight lines - it was cause for a few comments. Raw edges were definite the de rigour of Miss .............. who created this little item. Click here for a look
• Who but us could be excited by the sight of old darned socks and daggy old clothing? We an inside of a wagga was produced were intrigued to see old clothing stuffed and tacked higgledy piggledy into a lining. Why didn't the maker square off and flatten the stuffing? The conclusion: Why would you bother when you were looking for bulk, warmth and were going to cover it.