Charlotte Varcoe
CREATIVITY will ooze from Mount Gambier City Hall next week as the annual Autumn Threads Festival takes place.
Twisted Threads Textile Group has combined with Mount Gambier Spinners and Weavers to grow the exhibition and sale event, moving from the Mount Gambier Library to the larger community space to cater for the joint showcase, held from May 6 to 9.
Knitting, crocheting and lacemaking will be highlighted across the four-day event alongside weaving, up-cycling and repurposing, with the festival also showcasing skills live with a weaver to demonstrate the craft throughout.
Twisted Threads coordinator Julianne Woodruff said the groups were banding together and promote the different crafts to the wider community.
“We couldn’t host the event last year due to COVID-19, which was a shame as we have held the event every year at the library since its conception a decade ago,” Ms Woodruff said.
“When we discussed this year’s event with the staff at the library, they suggested finding a larger space in order to be able to host the event as a bigger conception.”
Planning to use all available space within City Hall, Ms Woodruff said the event also aimed to entice potential crafters to join the fun.
“We are hoping to encourage people to join the groups as it is a critical skill that has since been lost,” Ms Woodruff said.
“We are waiting to see how the public responds to this event and use that to focus on what we do in the future.”
A treasury table will also allow attendees to purchase creations such as coat hangers, buttons and craft books for their own projects at home.
Locally made, handcrafted products will also be for sale throughout the event with Ms Woodruff stating there would be something for everyone.
“We often find that men do struggle to find products such as beanies that are tailored for them and we are able to be here to provide that, which is guaranteed to be quality,” she said.
“We are also encouraging those who want to bring their own project along to do so and utilise the time to spend on it.”
The event will be held at the Mount Gambier City Hall from May 6 to 9 and is open from 9am until 4pm.
