Our 16th CONFERENCE will be in 2020 in Melbourne, Australia
Watch here for updates
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The October 2018 Conference in Sydney is over, and was wonderful
at The Harbourview Hotel in North Sydney
While waiting for 2020 updates you can download the 2018 Conference
Information Form here and the Conference Booking Form here
October is Springtime in Australia, and the theme suited the Season, calling it 'Spring into Needlework Tools'
Think about Spring flowers on Needlework Tools, and Spring colours in Needlework tools,
and even Needlework tools with Springs in them! (for example, the sewing birds below have Springs)
THE PROGRAMME
Speakers
Lee Bateman - A Spring Collection
Marlene Arditto - Shuttles for Knotting and Tatting
Maria Richards - Floral Feed Sacks, a Revolution
Anne Harbers - Silver in Motion: Amazing Automatons
The Cavalcade of History and Fashion - Bustle to Bias Brides: 1880-1940
Lynda Wake - Boudoir Dolls of the Art Deco Era
Susan Webster - Silver Needlework Tools by Webster & Co.
Kerry Easton - Palace Intrigues and Needlework Tools
Paul Brunton AM - After Dinner Speaker. Paul is Emeritus Curator at the State Library of NSW, and will speak on
The vivid, shrewd and witty letters of Rachel Henning.
Rachel Henning wrote about colonial life in Queensland and New South Wales, 1853 to 1914
Plus the Conference Dinner, the souvenir Goodie Bags, and the very popular SALES MALL on the Sunday.
There will also be book signings by our own talented members Susan Webster and Nicola Kissane, both producing new books in 2017.
Don't forget about the competition for a handcrafted Spring Hat Sewing Accessory, a chance to make your fellow members wonder
"Why didn't I think of that?".
Entry to the Conference and Sales Mall is by PRE-PAID TICKET, available to both Members and non-members (surcharge for non-members applies). See the Booking form above.
If you'd like to know more about previous Conference (and the fun) go to our HISTORY page.
...then there are the wonderful prizes to be won at the Conference. Here's a preview of the major prize, a lovely English Lady's Companion in red leather with gilt decoration c1850. This beautiful mid-19th Century piece has silver tools inside - scissors, a delicate penknife, winding pencil, stiletto, tape measure with silk tape, silver thimble, plus a leather needlecase with tabs to hold two tools, and a noteboard. The thimble support post lifts out to reveal space for pins or a thread reel.
Conference updates are also at www.facebook.com/needleworktools or on our BLOG.
The final picture below is the Mother-of-Pearl Tulip threadkeep by Kelmscott Designs, a flower-shaped Commemorative item at the Conference. These at no longer in production (this image is courtesy of www.kelmscottdesigns.com/thread-keeps )
