General News
4 October, 2023
Spinning and weaving to success
WESTERN Plains Spinners, Weavers and Craft members have set their sights on raising funds at this year’s markets to compliment the group’s surging membership.
WESTERN Plains Spinners, Weavers and Craft members have set their sights on raising funds at this year’s markets to compliment the group’s surging membership.
For the first time in the group’s more than 50-year history, members will be selling their creations at the upcoming Mortlake Market to ensure the group has the funds needed to thrive.
Treasurer Carolynne Leddy said members had been hard at work creating a little something for everyone when the market season begins on Sunday, October 8.
“All of our members have donated everything from fleeces to spin through to a variety of their items,” she said.
“We have beautiful pashminas, scarves, dog blankets, soft toys, hand spun wool from a variety of wool including alpaca fleeces, and macramé potholders.
“Prices will range from $5 through to around $50.
“It’s a great variety of items which has been sourced from local producers.”
As events have come and gone over the years the group found themselves in need of increasing revenue.
Ms Leddy said the last thing the group wanted was to push higher costs on members at a time when wallets were getting lighter, but instead saw an opportunity to showcase the talents of its
members while giving the community the chance to grab a bargain.
“We’re trying to keep the membership reasonably priced so it’s not cost-prohibitive for anyone who is interested in becoming a member,” she said.
“With the increase in fuel prices and costs, we’re hoping to be able to help our bank balance.”
President Robyn Weymouth said she was excited to showcase the what members had been working on.
“It’s our very first time selling at the Mortlake Markets, we were very kindly invited,” she said.
“We hope we can improve the variety the market can offer.”
In addition to supporting the group, Ms Weymouth said there would also be able to explore more sponsorship opportunities.
“The funds we raise will help maintain our building and keep our costs mindful,” she said.
“We also do sponsorships and exhibit at a lot of the local shows to make sure nobody is out of pocket.”
The group saw a sharp increase in membership after last year celebrating a belated 50-year milestone.
The COVID-19 pandemic had presented challenges but the group offered lessons to those curious about some of the oldest surviving craft techniques.
“We’ve gone from having meetings knowing we would all have to pull our weight a little more else the club would fold, to now having 40 members,” Ms Leddy said.
“We had spinning classes, knitting and now we’re going to have a tatting class and looking at having a macramé class too.
The group has attracted members from across the district including Port Fairy, Warrnambool, Camperdown, Cobden and Terang.
“Members are always welcome; we’re always happy to share our knowledge and you don’t have to be an expert,” Ms Leddy said.
Anyone interested in joining was encouraged to get in touch via Facebook or visit the bluestone building on a Wednesday between 10.30am and 2pm.
