kids encyclopedia robot

Enid Gilchrist facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts


Enid Beatrice Gilchrist OAM was a famous Australian fashion designer. She was known for her many books that taught people how to make their own clothes. These books, filled with sewing patterns, were very popular from the 1950s to the 1970s. Enid Gilchrist passed away on October 17, 2007, at the age of 90.

Becoming a Designer

Enid studied how to design clothes at Melbourne Technical College. This school is now called RMIT University. During World War II, she worked as a dressmaker for a company that made patterns.

She also worked with groups like the Victorian Infant Welfare Department. With them, she created many patterns for babies and young children. Later, Enid taught dress design at Footscray Technical College. She also taught at the Emily McPherson College.

Popular Patterns and Books

Enid started making patterns using a special method. This method helped people create their own patterns. Her patterns first appeared in a newspaper called The Argus in 1946. They were also published in The News (Adelaide) in 1953.

Enid's pattern-making ideas were put together into books. These books sold very well all over Australia. The first books sold out quickly and were printed many times. In the early 1950s, she also gave talks to mothers' clubs and other groups. She showed off the clothes she designed. Local children often helped by modeling the outfits.

Later, Enid joined New Idea magazine. There, she wrote articles and shared her patterns. She also created more sewing books. These books showed people how to make clothes using her pattern drafts.

Judging Fashion Competitions

In 1953, Enid was a judge for a special competition. It was about wool fashions. The best designs were shown in a parade at the Royal Melbourne Show.

Enid Gilchrist's Books

Enid's books did not have dates printed on them. However, we can guess when they were made. We can look at the price on the cover. Australia changed its money system in 1966. This change helps us figure out if a book was printed before or after 1966.

Early Books

These books were some of the first Enid Gilchrist published:

  • No. 1 Clothes for Your Baby
  • No. 2 Toddlers' Clothes
  • No. 3 Pre-school Clothes (3-4 Years)
  • No. 4 Betweens (4-6 Years)
  • No. 5 Sixes and Sevens
  • No. 6 Boys and Girls (8-10 Years)
  • No. 7 Dresses for your Daughter

Books Before 1966

These books were published before Australia changed its money system:

  • Clothes for Your Children
  • Baby Book
  • Toddlers' Wardrobe
  • Three to Six
  • Play Clothes
  • Little Coats and Dresses (0-6 Years)
  • Six to Nine Years
  • Suits and Dresses (5-12 Years)
  • Boy and Girl Clothes
  • Undies, Beach and Sleep Wear
  • Junior Teens and Smaller Women
  • Women and Teenagers
  • Basic Fashion for Women
  • Doll's Clothes

Books Around 1966

These books came out around the time Australia changed its money:

  • Teenagers and Small Women
  • Under Five Fashion
  • 150 Fancy Dress Ideas
  • Teen Dolls
  • Pinnies and Things
  • Sleep Wear and Undies
  • 3 to 6
  • Maternity Wear
  • Casual Clothes (6-15 Years)

Books After 1966

These books were published after Australia changed its money system:

  • Seventy Styles from the Basic Pattern
  • Fancy Dress
  • Boys and Girls (5-9 Years)
  • Over-20 Styles
  • Girls' Gear (5-12 Years)
  • Ten to Teens (10-15 Years)
  • Kindergarten Set (3-6 Years)
  • Home Maker Book
  • Smocks and Maternity Wear
  • Mix'n'Match: For Girls and Boys 5-9 Years
kids search engine
Enid Gilchrist Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.