Remembering Anzac in Stitch 1915-2015 was held at Baycourt Exhibition Hall. The opening night was attended by members of the host Guild, Tauranga Embroiderers, guests, and both TCC Mayor Stuart Crosby and WBOPDC Mayor, Ross Patterson.
Photo Rosemary Balu
Visiting guest judge, Felicity Willis from Hawera, announced the winners of the many categories. Some winners won trophies and some won sponsors prizes as well.
This year’s theme was Anzac, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Anzac landings at Gallipoli. Many members had contributed to a display with personal historical items, maps and memorabilia of the era and a beautiful large embroidered piece that had come back from Egypt. There was also a large tapestry piece embroidered especially for the exhibition.
In the judged Anzac category I loved the simple embroidery on a piece of an old army blanket and the winning entry of the category with soldiers and poppies worked in the finest crewel embroidery. All entries were different with some having poignant photos of family members incorporated in their work. The Junior Embroidery group had embroidered postcard sized flags and a description of war in their own words.
Other guilds from the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region had displays of some of their members’ works as well. From an embroidered Anzac biscuit recipe to blocks covered with modern canvaswork in bold colours. I have been to many of these exhibitions over the years and I can say this was one of my favourite. With items ranging from the tiniest beaded box to quilts and a beaded wedding dress bodice there would have been a style of embroidery to suit everyone. There were some great wall hangings with interesting subject matter and a nostalgia trip for me with some lovely tea showers on display. They were embroidered with daisy flowers, just the same as the one I made at my embroidery night school class at Tauranga Girls’ College over 30 years ago (and still used).
With hundreds of items on display you could easily visit the exhibition a couple of times. As usual there were quality raffles with beautiful embroidered items and a packed sales table with both new items to buy such as Christmas decorations and lingerie bags and donated embroidery supplies being sold to raise funds for the Club. I picked up a silk ribbon embroidery book for $1.00 and picked up inspiration for free.
Diane Hume-Green. Diane is a regular contributor to ARTbop through her column Scene About Town. Totally Tauranga and a member of a well-known and longstanding musical and business family Diane has a spectrum of cultural interests and a wide variety of community and cultural involvements. Fashion, fibre and design are some of her many loves.
