What is Fabrications? Fabrications is Wellington's first event focussed on textile arts of every kind, a day event for everyone who loves to play with textiles. The idea came from a group of ladies from Capital Quilters, Lower Hutt, who realised that quilters are interested in all sorts of textiles and techniques. So the idea of Fabrications came about, a fun day of 30 vendors, raffles, a quilt display, and a cafe. I went along to see what it was all about. This big event needed a lot of space, and covered both the Horticultural Hall and Town Hall. (These halls were very much part of my social calendar in my teenage years. During my High School years I attended the local Youth Club on Sunday afternoons, rock’n’rolling the afternoon away in my full skirted dresses held out with my stiff petticoats. And when I started work I enjoyed many Saturday night dances here. Those were the days!) I arrived early, paid my $5 entry fee, and bought some raffle tickets. How great it would be to win one of these big baskets full of goodies.
The hall was buzzing with vendors selling all sorts of things, fabric, wool, books, buttons and beads. Several quilt shops had stalls with their own unique style of fabric and notions. Here’s Yvonne from one of my local shops Sawmillers Quiltery, giving me a cheery smile.
The Wellington Quilters Guild had a stand and I stopped to talk to Sharon who was busy with some of her friends stitching small blocks. The aim was to sew enough blocks to make up into a charity quilt. What a good idea, and it shows non quilters just what is involved in cutting and stitching a quilt block.
The Wellington Embroiders Guild had a stand close by and I came across Kim working on a lovely piece of silk ribbon embroidery stitched on teal blue fabric. The ladies on this stand told me that their group make and donate Christmas Stockings to the Neonatal Unit in Wellington Hospital each year for all the little babies. They also make quite a range of items for the hospital shop to sell to raise funds.
Hand made lace speaks to me of the timelessness of an age old craft, and the romance and beauty of this most wonderful of trims. I love the look of lace and spent some time watching the Faultline Lacemakers working their magic. One lady was working on Milanese lace, and another on Tonder lace. It’s quite easy they assured me, you just follow the pattern, as they deftly moved their lace bobbins around.
Crafters love buttons, and Ruth Meier, known as the Button Lady, had lots of old and interesting buttons on display. Ruth has worked selling buttons all her life, and is extremely knowledgeable about this simple little item. I noticed military buttons on sale, plastic, bone, and all the colours and styles imaginable, and nice little mixed bags on offer at a very reasonable price. Definitely something for everyone.
After looking at all the stalls, and admiring the quilts on display (photos of these next time), it was time to rest my weary feet and relax in the cafe corner. I joined my fellow Pinestream Quilter members Joyce and Gaye at a table and contentedly consumed my coffee and cake in good company. Thanks to Jane from the Kapiti Coast Quilt Guild for happily agreeing to take our photo.
I had a lovely time at Fabrications and have my fingers crossed to win one of those wonderful raffle baskets. The organisers did a great job and are to be congratulated. Here’s hoping this turns out to be a regular event.
6 comments:
What a fantastic write up of the event Jenny, you do this so well!
Looks like a great event Jenny, were you tempted to bring much home?
Heh. My guild is the Capital Quilters. :-)
Sounds like a fabulous event.
Hi ladies, thanks for commenting. Can you believe I was VERY restrained and only spent a few dollars? Needs must at the moment. I still had a great time "just looking".
Thank you Jenny! I spotted you there while running from pillar to post and am so glad you did a write up with photos. I forgot to take my camera! We have lots of ideas about how to make this event even better in the future, too :)
I was so sorry I couldn't be there but my dear Mum was 80 so we had a family do in Dannevirke. It was wonderful too.
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