AN embroidery guidance group enjoyed a weekend of stitches and fun under the tutelage of a Mildura group.
The Embroiders Guild, Victoria – Mildura Branch’s Broken Hill Guidance Group had a weekend workshop titled ‘Chirpy Little Birds’.
Mildura Branch secretary Kerry Koop said it was the launch of the guidance group in the city after they developed a working relationship with local business Stella Stitch.
“So last year in Mildura, we were having our exhibition, and we asked Stella Stitch if she wanted to do a pop-up shop there,” she said.
“When our members would travel to Broken Hill, they would pop into Stella Stitch because she has a lot of items we can’t get in Mildura.”
Ms Koop said a wonderful relationship formed and they were able to develop interest for a guidance group in the city.
“Lyndal Graham (owner of Stella Stitch) would visit once a month and was able to take books back for those interested,” she said.
“Then we had more people join, now I zoom in every fortnight for meetings.”
Ms Koop was in the city on Saturday and Sunday with other Mildura members Maree Mitchell, Sandy Bock and Helen Paterson.
Broken Hill members that joined were Ms Graham, Alison Burt, Fran Greville, Julie Wilkinson, Cheryl Wilkinson and Tania Male.
The group also welcomed 10 non-members to participate in the workshops.
“The embroidery guild sounds like we’re little old ladies doing doilies,” Ms Koop said.
“We’ve got contemporary artists, so we do our own designing and try all sorts of different threads and material fabrics techniques.
“We have got a lot of original works, it’s the new interesting, exciting textile work that we do that, a lot of them love, and we also wanted the traditional.
“We hope to come back and bring different tutors.”
Ms Koop said the guild has groups all around the Sunraysia region in Hopeton, Robinvale and other towns.
“It’s a really lovely camaraderie between us,” she said.
“We’ve got about 60 per cent on their own, a lot of older women, we have some young ones as well, some workers, but I think it’s really important that you feel a sense of belonging.
“That’s what it is about, learning and belonging.
“The group is really good with teamwork organisation. It’s a beautiful, friendly group. I’m really impressed with them.
“It was just delightful. The women came along with so lovely. They embraced the sewing and new stitching; we went right from the basics.”
Ms Koop said the guild had a presentation for the members to welcome them to the group.
