Yarn Feeder - 'Dubied', Knitting Machine, circa 1950

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Summary:: Yarn Feeder used with 'Dubied' knitting machine, used by Edda Azzola from 1950 to 2000 for making commercial and personal clothing. This 'Dubied' knitting machine was brought to Australia from Italy in the 1950s by an Italian migrant woman and then sold to the Edda, who had migrated to Melbourne from Italy in 1955. Edda used it to supply a Collingwood knitting mill with finely finished clothes for sale to Melbourne department stores, until the factory closed in 1974. It was then used to make family clothes.

The machine is in similar condition as when first purchased by Edda, except for two modifications made by her husband: wooden blocks under the cast iron frame to raise its height so that she was relieved from constant bending over; and the removal of a flexible arm which moved as the carriage was shunted across - one day nearly clamping her son's leg! So for safety reasons, he made a new two-handed carriage which she also found much easier to use while standing to operate the machine.
Description:: An arrow head shaped piece of metal with a small hole in the tip, for guiding yarn. The arrow head component is attached with a small screw to a second flat piece of metal with a square hooked end with two holes.The screw can be loosened to adjust the length of the yarn feeder.
Acquisition Information:: Donation from Mrs Edda Azzola, 2007

Discipline:	History
Dimensions:	15 mm (Height), 19 mm (Width), 87 mm (Length)

Tagged with:	immigration, textile industry, italian communities, italian immigration, clothing trade
Themes this item is part of:	Edda Azzola, Italian Migrant & Textile Worker, 1955, Migration Collection
Primary Classification:	MIGRATION
Secondary Classification:	Settlement - Employment
Tertiary Classification:	tools & equipment
Inscriptions:	Stamped on front: '10'.
Manufacturer:	Dubied, Couvet, Switzerland, circa 1950
User:	Mrs Edda Azzola, Fitzroy North, Victoria, Australia, 1958-1960
User:	Mrs Edda Azzola, Reservoir, Victoria, Australia, 1960-2000