Wartime production embroidery pattern tablecloth : Mrs B Sayers, South Perth

Calico based transfer pattern tablecloth featuring a flower design in each corner, with pre-formed drawn threadwork edges. One small area of the pattern has been embroidered; the remainder is unworked.

Australian made transfer embroidery pattern produced during the Second World War. Normally these embroidery sets were printed on fine linen or cotton poplin but due to the wartime austerity and rationing programs, these examples are printed on a coarse unbleached calico. This and the other examples (see REL35987, REL35988 and REL35989) were purchased in Adelaide by Mrs Beatrice Sayers of South Perth during the Second World War. Mrs Sayers and her mother were keen embroiderers, but appear to never have spent much time working these patterns, with only small sections of two examples done. Beatrice Sayers' husband, WX13367 Gunner Edward Ronald Sayers, enlisted on 21 May 1941 and served with 2 Australian Anti-Aircraft Regiment until his discharge on 26 October 1945.