Molly Doull (nee McFadden) was a petite young
 woman who found that making her own clothes created a better fit, and was less tiresome than the inevitable alterations necessary with ready-made clothing. This ability and clear passion for skilled stitch work was carried through to her three daughters who she not only sewed for, but also learnt to create matching 
hats for after taking a millinery course. Her daughter Margaret, who loaned this outfit, has gone on to become a sewing teacher continuing Molly’s legacy. This elegant outfit was discovered in Molly’s ‘glory box’ and her sister revealed it was created in 1938 for her first date with the man who was to become Margaret’s father. Read more about the history of home sewing in the New Zealand Fashion Museum publication Home Sewn.