Isabella Parkes made most of her children's clothes including the shoes for her younger children.

Isabella was married in 1894 and her youngest child would have outgrown these shoes by 1900.

Isabella made her children's clothes and shoes and this sample and leather pieces were kept by her and left to her daughter Mary who in turn kept them. The donor is Mary's daughter. Although it was common practice to make children's clothes at the time the impecunious state of the family's finances undoubtedly made it a necessity. The family was often short of money as Varney had a chequered career as an architect, politician and business man and was notorious for his various affairs. Isabella left him to live in Edinburgh in 1899 and sought a divorce three years later. This was not granted and Isabella brought up her family alone, settling in Waverley.

Shoe pattern and leather pieces (2), leather/glass/metal, Isabella Parkes, Australia/England, 1885-1900

Sample shoe and leather pieces for making babies and young children's shoes. /1 sample is upper of toddler's shoe in black leather with centre strap and button on side. Three tear-shaped holes form decoration on centre front of shoe. The shoe has been made up and worn and unstitched to form a template for similar shoes. /2 piece of soft brown leather with row of holes from machine stitching along one side. /3 piece of pale blue leather remnant from shoe making.

Maker: unknown; 1885 - 1900

98/103/2

1885 - 1900