The aim was to create a “handmade home” market stall, says Bobbin and Ink Director Laura Walsh.
“Our studio is home to a number of makers who sew and print handmade goods using our workshop and tools,” Walsh explains. “We wanted to use this year’s festival theme to showcase some of their work in the kind of setting you’d find the finished products.”
The maker contributions were generous. Lauren MacDonald from contemporary textiles studio Working Cloth offered to sew a super-kitsch oven and fridge for the Bobbin and Ink “kitchen”. Georgie Avis of Little Crow Design volunteered her time to help on the stall and loaned some of her hand-printed cushions and wall hangings to display alongside custom-designed and screen-printed curtain fabric from textile designer and visual artist Sylvie Veness, @v_e_n_e_s_s.
Wonderful offerings from The Raisin Did It, Yogitown, Glory Box Designs and Measure Twice Cut Once also featured.
“The stall was homely and welcoming,” says Walsh. “And we made a lot of new friends who expressed interest in attending our sewing and screen-printing classes.”
Walsh says that in its 39th year Newtown Festival still has a wonderful vibe. “It draws so many artists, musicians, food venues, writers and small businesses together.
“The Newtown Neighbourhood Centre really does amazing things to make it happen every year. Its dedicated team of volunteers care greatly for the community and those in need. We hope we can be involved again next year!”
