Newbury’s first stitch fair took place on 17 and 18 February in the Kennet Centre, Newbury and was a great success. There were workshops for everyone, including getting to know your overlocker, how to read dress patterns through to how to make a zippy bag by Mark Francis who was a quarter finalist in the Great British Sewing Bee.
Stalls included Geoff Rosenberg dress fabrics, through to knitting wools and haberdashery. The Stitch Fair was the inspiration of Marion Scott-Baker who is both a keen and experienced sewer. The event raised nearly £2,500 for the local charity West Berkshire Mencap that supports people with a learning disability.
Marion said ‘ the event shows that there is a huge demand for developing your dressmaking skills and making your own clothes. I hope that the event will develop and put Newbury on the map as a major crafting town.’
Sara Vaughan, CEO of West Berkshire Mencap said ‘we are very grateful to Marion for her inspiration and dedication to run this popular event, and for raising much needed funds for West Berkshire Mencap’
