Sew Inspirational

The Stitches and Craft Show Celebrates 21 Fabulous Years

Are you ready to explore your creative side?  Do you want to do something you never thought existed or something you never thought you could do? Discover a World of Creativity at the Stitches & Craft Shows!

The Stitches & Craft Show was first launched in 1987, by the late George Pyne, in Sydney. Twenty-one years later and with 10’s of thousands of visitors attending the shows every year, George’s vision – to create a centre of excellence where extraordinary artisans could impart their knowledge – has evolved beyond belief.

Having identified a need for a craft and sewing event, George launched the Stitches & Craft Show - Australia’s Premier event dedicated to the sewing and craft industry and its devotees. Workshops and fashion parades alongside quality craft suppliers in an educational environment continue to be an integral part to the Show’s success. You can expect to see what’s new in your favourite craft and discover exciting ideas from a wide range of other crafts. Products and supplies range from appliqué, buttons, beads, embroidery, fabrics, haberdashery, mosaics, papercrafts, patterns, stamps, stencils, sewing machines, threads and wools to name but a few. Increasing from the initial sole show in Sydney to the current three shows in Melbourne, Brisbane & Sydney each year is a reflection of how the immense popularity of the shows and the 'create it yourself' market has grown over the years, making the Stitches & Craft Shows Australia’s most recognised and respected craft event.

A key part of the Stitches & Craft Shows is its dedication to support the home sewing industry. Since its launch 21 years ago, Stitches & Craft has remained the only craft and sewing event to continually promote fashion and home sewing, understanding the value of this skill and providing education and inspiration through fashion parades and workshops presented by leading industry experts. Nurturing this timeless craft at every level, the Stitches & Craft Shows often feature work and displays from School, TAFE and University Students and upcoming designers, as well as experienced dressmakers, tailors and established associations, like the Australian Sewing Guild – you never know where you might find your next famous fashion designer!  

Over the years, the Stitches & Craft Shows have grown and developed now incorporating the Australian Bead Show and the Australian Quilt Show, Australia’s largest cash prize for quilt making! In addition, remarkable features to the Shows include the Fashion Parade Stage, the Create, Make & Decorate Stage and all sewing related retailers. Workshops, guilds and daily fashion parades are guaranteed to inform, entertain and motivate the aspiring seamstress.  

The Australian Sewing Guild is celebrating its 11^th year and has become an integral part of the Show attractions. At the Brisbane Show in May 2008 the Stitches & Craft Show has offered the ASG an exclusive Workshop space in which to showcase some of their fabulous talent, the ASG and fashion sewing.

For 21 years the Stitches & Craft Shows have provided creative entertainment, education and inspiration for many hundreds of thousands of people. Passion and unbridled creativity drives these shows and emulates George's vision. We invite you to come to the Stitches & Craft Shows throughout 2008 to join in the celebrations, meet up with old friends and new, learn from the fashion sewing experts and be inspired.

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