Needlework Tool Collectors 2025 CONFERENCE
The 18th Biennial Conference in Melbourne on 23rd & 24th October 2025.
Theme - Treasures from the Work Basket
Hotel - The View Melbourne Hotel
562 St Kilda Road, Melbourne Australia
The Forms:
2025 Conference Registration Form
2025 Conference Information Form
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THE PROGRAMME and SPEAKERS
Karen Kearney - My Humble Workbox...and its contents
Marlene Arditto - Tools and Treasures from the 17th century
Susan Webster - A Survey of Workboxes 1780-1860: Evolution of workboxes from bags and cabinets
Nicola Kissane - History and Stitchery - Needlework Treasures of South Australia
Jo Armstrong - Straw Work and Prisoners of War Work
Short Talks : There will be short talks on related topics
Conference Dinner
ATTENDANCE is by pre-booking with your Conference Ticket only. Details are on this pdf Booking Form
After Dinner Speaker
Laura Jocic - Drapers to Department Stores: The Colonial Australian Context
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Other events: Our speakers are only a part of the conference.
The Popularity Contest - 'Hand made’
All members coming to the Conference are invited to make ONE item which you would find in
a work basket and bring it to the conference for display.
All conference attendees can vote for their favourite by placing a gold coin near the item of their choice.
The winning item will be the one with the most coins, by number, not value. There is a prize for the winner.
The ever- popular Guessing Competition – attendees will be invited to guess:
The number of threads and reels in a work basket (on display)
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
Sales Mall on Friday
Extensive Raffles of tools and related items (see below for pictures of the Filigree combination piece)
2025 Conference Commemorative item
A sterling silver thread winder - Cost will be $40.
Order form to be sent out in June and tool to be picked up from registration desk at conference.
These will be in a small fabric bag with our logo.
If you'd like to know more about previous Conference (and the fun) go to our HISTORY page
Conference updates are also at www.facebook.com/needleworktools or on our BLOG.