Cotton

There's nothing precious about cotton, which is precisely why I trust it, cloth that expects to be worn rather than admired. It goes soft under the hand in a way that feels almost like agreement. I give each piece whatever attention it needs before it's packed and sent from Melbourne.

The Playtex longline bra on a beige mannequin torso against a white curtain, cotton and lace doing quiet architectural work under where a blouse would sit.

Close view of the lace cup and centre gore, the floral pattern cut to sit exactly over the cotton lining beneath.

Held Line · Playtex 1960s White Lace Longline Bra

Butter and Green · 1940s-50s Daisy Print Cotton Half Apron

Butter and Green · 1940s-50s Daisy Print Cotton Half Apron

Butter and Green · 1940s-50s Daisy Print Cotton Half Apron

A white short-sleeve blouse with a ruffled Peter Pan collar and scalloped hem, hanging on a wooden hanger against a green and white patterned fabric backdrop.

Blue Punctuation · 1950s-60s Cotton Baby Dress with Scalloped Trim

Blue Punctuation · 1950s-60s Cotton Baby Dress with Scalloped Trim

Wattle Weather · 1950s-60s Hand-Embroidered Cotton Baby Dress

Wattle Weather · 1950s-60s Hand-Embroidered Cotton Baby Dress

Wattle Weather · 1950s-60s Hand-Embroidered Cotton Baby Dress

Full front view of the vest laid flat, star embroidery trailing from each shoulder toward the button placket, the Philippines all cotton tag at the back neck.

Close view of the collar and tag, small pastel stars trailing down the scalloped rickrack placket on both sides of a single button.

Small Constellation · Handmade in the Philippines 1950s Embroidered Cotton Baby Vest

Macro of the hem's turned edge and a faint press line above it, the cotton falling in soft folds.

Close view of the collar and tag, Hand Made in the Philippines woven in orange thread beside two rosebud sprigs worked either side of the top button.

Sprig and Scallop · Hand Made in the Philippines 1950s Embroidered Cotton Baby Dress

Pale pink smocked baby wrap folded flat on a white towel, the dovlee tag visible at the collar and one batwing sleeve spread wide to the left.

Another close angle on the collar, the dovlee tag and the snap's two halves shown open beside the satin bow at the throat.

Small Wingspan · Dovlee 1950s Smocked Cotton Baby Wrap

Pale pink infant cotton vest with hand embroidered florets, hung front facing on a wooden hanger. Small enough to fit a newborn, patient as a held breath.

Close view of the front button placket with two pearlescent buttons and rickrack trim, flanked by tiny embroidered flowers. Each stitch sits exactly where a hand placed it.

First Flower · Handmade in the Philippines 1950s-60s Embroidered Infant Vest