(Tuesday, 26 September 2023)
Fabric-a-Brac events raise money for Hospice and this year’s event in Blenheim raised a grand total of $8,010.20 for Hospice Marlborough from sales of donated fabric and sewing supplies, pop-up cafe, raffles and stallholder fees.
Hundreds of keen sewers and crafters poured into the second annual Fabric-a-brac event in Blenheim on Saturday 16 September, walking out with big smiles and armloads of bargains. Some out-of-town attendees were so keen to be first in when the doors opened that they stayed in a nearby motel overnight. Fran Gardner and friend Chrissy Rogers came from Rangiora to go to Fabric-a-Brac, and Fran, a dressmaker, says it was totally worth it. They filled the back seat of the car with fabric and patterns and other sewing materials.
This year, there was also more interest from stallholders, so the event spread through two halls at Connect Blenheim on Beaver Road. Attendees were highly complimentary of the expanded layout, the fabric on offer and the option to grab a barista coffee and tasty treats from the pop-up cafe was the icing on the cake. For the week following the event the Hospice Shops in Redwoodtown ran a ‘Fabric-a-brac Mop-up, Pop-up’ in store for fabric-a-holics who didn’t make it or wished they had brought more.
Fabric-a-brac Marlborough organiser Tracy Johnston is thrilled with the outcome and the willingness of so many to help for a good cause “This event is a real team effort with the Hospice Shop volunteers putting in long hours to prepare all the donated fabric and sewing supplies ready for sale on the day. Then there are the bakers who set up and serve in the pop-up cafe, the venue team and the many others who help pack in and pack out and promote the event. This year we had amazing support from many textile, upholstery and interior design businesses who generously donated quality fabrics to be sold at the event.”
Hospice Marlborough rely on fundraising to help supplement their funding from Te Whatu Ora to enable them to provide their services free to the community. Events and Engagement Lead for Hospice Marlborough Leigh Somerville says “Community fundraisers like the fabulous and fun Fabric-a-brac Marlborough event play a crucial role in our ability to continue to deliver exceptional palliative care across the region. Hospice Marlborough extends our heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved.”
Fabric-a-brac Marlborough will return next year in August 2024.
For more information, contact event organiser Tracy Johnston on (021) 749 368
Photo: Hospice Shops Manager Christine with her shop team ready for doors to open on event day