Clothing

Erin Cook's - The "Dressing Diamantina" Project

Approximately 3 months ago, I challenged myself to bring back Contessa Diamantina Roma, Lady Bowen, and her young family, for one last visit to Ipswich.

She was the wife of the first Governer of Queensland, and turned the first sod of the Ipswich to Grandchester Railway line in 1864. The family left for New Zealand in 1868.

Although there is little recorded about what she or her family wore, the patterns that I have used to dress this family in are completely authentic to the era.

These patterns are made available on the Ipswich 150 website for personal use only. Feel free to download them and attempt to sew your own piece of history, making them as authentic or as modern as you like. The patterns are relatively simple, however you will need to have some experience with sewing and reading patterns to complete the outfits as shown.

Happy Sesquicentennial, Ipswich!

Erin Cook