Craft group set to unveil annual show

Twisted Threads adding demonstrations to this month’s fundraising exhibition & sale

It is an annual tradition and on Thursday, April 27, the Twisted Threads exhibition will open its doors in Mount Gambier’s City Hall for a four day showcase of the work of members of the local textile art group.

The exhibition is in its 13th year and will feature handcrafted items and fashion accessories and allows the textile art group to hand over funds garnered from the usual raffle and sales of items to the Mount Gambier Library and a local charity or project.

The group Twisted Threads meets on Wednesday mornings at the Mount Gambier Library from 9am12.30pm in one of the meeting rooms and new members are always welcome.

Twisted Threads has around 30 members, with each weekly chat ‘n’ craft session attracting around 15 participants as they knit, crochet and sew their way to stunning handcrafted creations.

The 2023 exhibition runs until Sunday and will be on show from 9am to 4pm from Thursday to Saturday and then 10am until 2pm on Sunday.

This year’s exhibition has the usual array of homewares, toys, garments and accessories for men women and children. There will also be demonstrations of spinning and weaving and the opportunity to try these crafts with demonstration of embroidery, crochet and, knitting also part of the 2023 event. up cycling.

Starter kits of yarn and needles, sale of excess yarn, fabric, needles, patterns and books will also add to the fundraising coffers.

Entry is free and via the Cave Gardens entrance of the City Hall.

The 2023 funds raised will go towards the usual financing of art and craft books and magazine subscriptions for the library, as well as handing over some of the funds to a local project or group.

Last year, Twisted Threads was able to handover a record donation to Mount Gambier’s In Home Hospice Care (IHHC).

The craft group handed over $1000 of fundraising for the palliative care service with IHHC manager Sandi Elliott also attending a Twisted Threads meeting to share the history of the service, how it is being utilised and the way forward.

“We’re like that extended family member, we are there to provide holistic support,” Mrs Elliott said. “We’re not medical or clinical. We are not taking away from any medical services already catered for in the community.”

The support of the community, including donations like the Twisted Threads windfall has been encouraging for IHHC officials.

“The generosity of the community has been amazing – we’ve been overwhelmed,” Sandi said. “And we keep trying to raise the profile and get the word out there about what we are doing and what we are trying to do.”