Sew good to be back

AFTER numerous delays and reschedules because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the nation’s largest craft event series has been stitched together and will finally make its way to Bendigo.

Craft Alive, originally slated for June, then October, will go ahead from 26 to 28 November, with local and interstate craft retailers invited and a number of workshops and stalls to be held at the Prince of Wales Showgrounds.

Event manager at Craft Alive, Sally Taylor, said when the restrictions changed, they planned the event quickly to ensure it could run this year.

“It’s really exciting we can now hold a full Craft Alive event in Bendigo this year, and we know that so many people are very excited about it as well,” she said.

“It’s full of Australia’s top craft experts, both local businesses and interstate. It’s all about kits, supplies and equipment and very importantly it’s about getting hands on.

“We’ve got tons of classes, demonstrations, make and takes and also a live craft stage happening for the first time.”

The live craft stage will stream workshops to a concurrent event, the Great International Craft Show, making Bendigo’s Craft Alive a hybrid event.

Ms Taylor said tickets bought for cancelled Craft Alive shows, such as Shepparton’s, can be used in Bendigo.

“Whether you’re physically in Bendigo or you’re in Melbourne or Shepparton, we would love to see you in person getting hands on and doing all of those things we’ve missed,” she said.

Mulberry Lane Quilting, Bendigo Spinners and Weavers and the Bendigo Woodturners are some of the local guests, while Australia’s biggest paper craft retailer Catchy Crafts will make the trip down from NSW.