The Parish Craft Group originated some 15 years ago with a number of parishioners coming together on a monthly basis to share and show their talents. Many wonderful friendships formed along the way.
As a greater need with our outreach partnerships evolved, parishioner Stella Robinson came to the helm and garnered a group of quilters to sew together beautifully laid out patchwork quilts cut out from her never-ending supply of fabrics. The quilters would take home the patchwork pieces, sew them together with a backing, sometimes adding their own flourishes to the finished products. The Craft Group would gather to ooh and ahh over the finished products.
The quilts have been distributed far and wide. Some went to Eastern Emergency Relief. The Parish Asylum Seeker and Refugee project received many quilts as did the CatholicCare Eltham Project, families affected by the bushfires and the list goes on.
The Craft Group branched out with cooking classes too – one of our talented parishioners held the monthly Craft Group gathering at her home where she gave us cooking lessons. We learnt to make Vietnamese Spring Rolls. For some of us, the pleasure was more in the eating than the preparation and cooking.
The last Gathering of the Parish Craft Group was held in December 2019 when we came together not only with our crafts but also a plate to share for morning tea. The catch was that your plate was to be of your particular favourite and the recipe for it to also be brought along to share. What a wonderful morning that was.
After 15 years of crafting and quilting, this project came to an end and other forms of craft came to the fore.
The Knit One Give One Project (KOGO) was introduced to the Parish during 2019 with a small note in the parish newsletter inviting parishioners to knit for this project. KOGO is a not-for-profit organisation established to provide hand-knitted items of warmth and comfort to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community. All goods are produced by volunteers and are distributed through not-for-profit community organisations that work with a range of people experiencing hardship.
Parishioners across our parishes embraced this project wholeheartedly and the array of beautifully crafted baby garments, most elaborate knitted blankets, colour coordinated squares, gloves, mittens, and beanies were produced and distributed.
This project continues without much promotion. Our parishioners continue to donate their time and talent to this project and boxes of goods continue to be delivered to the Parish Office.
Another group of talented parishioners continue to meet as Kitty Craft. This group was also established in our Parish in 2019. The group meets in fellowship, the sharing of ideas and talents. The Group also offers opportunities to learn new skills.
Did you know our crafters are award winners too? Four of our crafters entered nine items in the recent Melbourne Royal Show Arts & Craft Competition and won! The ability ranged from open or novice to disability or visually impaired; winning two Firsts, three Seconds and one Third prizes. Congratulations to all.
There is lots of talking, laughing and sharing at Kitty Craft which meets at Barnsbury on the third Monday of the month. To learn more contact Barbara Arbon on 0438 982 738 or email [email protected]
Why not join the group to sew it, knit it or stitch it.
19 Brenbeal Street, Balwyn VIC 3103
Telephone: 03 9816 9291
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours:
Tue - Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm