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Doll's Dress - Brown Paper, circa 1954 Object Reg. No: SH 960158

Dolls Dress - Brown Paper
Summary:
One of six paper patterns, made in Italy around 1954 by Anna Fantini when she was 11 years old. It is a copy of women's clothing made by Anna for her imaginary dolls, as her family could never afford to buy her a real doll. Anna applied all her dressmaking skills to this pattern and used cigarette paper to make buttons and belts.

Anna Fantini, nee Improta was born in Torre Annunziata, a town near Naples, Italy, in 1943. Her family was very poor and they were forced to take her out of school when she was around 10 years old. Soon after Anna completed an apprenticeship in dressmaking with a local dressmaker for two years. Anna migrated to Australia with her husband and children in 1981. They were granted entry on humanitarian grounds as they were victims of the 1981 earthquake that devastated the Campania region. Anna had two sisters in Melbourne, one of whom had arrived in 1954.
Description:
The pattern isof brown paper, with trimming of cream paper on the right-hand side; it is sleeveless with a square neckline, and trimmed with brown paper buttons . The skirt is pleated and the pattern has been assembled and sewn with white cotton.
Acquisition Information:
Donation from Mrs Anna Fantini, 1996
Discipline: History
Dimensions: 43.00 cm (Height), 33.00 cm (Length)
Dimension Comment: Due to shaping measurements are taken at maximum.

More information

Tagged with: italian communities, italian immigration, making do, working life, dolls, handcrafts, dressmaking
Themes this item is part of: Italian Historical Society CO.AS.IT. Collection, Childhood & Youth Collection, Migration Collection, Working Life & Trades Collection
Primary Classification: MIGRATION
Secondary Classification: Travel - Brought Goods
Tertiary Classification: mementoes
Maker: Mrs Anna Fantini, Annunziata, Campania, Italy, circa 1954

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