Fabric fans flock to event
Needleworkers and craft-bombers will be in textile heaven when the second Auckland Fabric-a-brac takes place next month.
The event supports Mercy Hospice and is a good opportunity for people to dig out fabrics, patterns, buttons and zips that have been lingering in the sewing cupboard to sell to shoppers who are on the hunt for unique material.
Fabric-a-brac has factions in Brisbane, Sydney, Wellington and late last year it was held in Auckland for the first time.
The initial event was attended by hundreds of people and was so popular that organisers decided to hold it again.
"People were asking for another one to be held before Christmas, but there just wasn’t time to organise it," Rebecca McCaughan from Mercy Hospice says.
Ms McCaughan organised a stall for the inaugural event that sold fabric donated to the hospice.
"Often people have bought the fabrics overseas, or found them in the back of their cupboards, so it’s not things that can be easily found in the shops."
More than $4400 was raised for the hospice from the sale of materials and baked treats. Money raised goes to support the hospice’s ongoing work of providing free care to patients with life-limiting illnesses.
"It couldn’t really be done without the community, the hospice bakers did all the baking and volunteers ran the stall," she says.
People have already started donating materials for the March event, but Ms McCaughan says more volunteers are needed to help measure, label and sort fabrics.
Fabric-a-brac is on March 9, 9am to 12.30pm at the Freemans Bay Community Hall. Entry is free.
To volunteer to help Mercy Hospice with sorting donated items email Rebecca.McCaughan@mercyhospice.org.nz or phone 361 5966 ext 741.
Central Leader, Auckland City Harbour News (February 27, 2013)
Writer: Danielle Street. Photo: Danielle Street