Flocks of fabric fans attended the annual auction of beautiful designer fabric from designers including Alexandra Owen, Deborah Sweeney, Robyn Mathieson, and twentysevennames, to raise money for Plunket Rongotai…
Fabric Fans Bid for Plunket
Flocks of fabric fans descended on Juniper florist, gifts and handcraft gallery in Newtown, Wellington recently, to attend the annual textile auction and raise money for Plunket Rongotai.
Now in its fourth year, the auction gives the public a chance to own a piece of beautiful designer fabric by placing silent bids on material donated by local designers and retailers including Alexandra Owen, Alison Blain, Ashley Fogel, Deborah Sweeney, Duncan & Prudence, es design, Estilo Design, Fabrics Direct, Global Fabrics, Inhabit Design, Robyn Mathieson, The Living Room, The Workroom, twentysevennames, and Voon.
Brainchild of Juniper owner Mindy Dalzell, the fabric auction concept came about after Plunket came to retrieve their less than full collection box from her store. Thinking there must be a more effective way to raise much needed funds, Mindy called local designers for any spare fabric they were willing to donate, offered up her space to hold the event, advertised to Wellington’s fabric fanatics and the auction was born.
If the crowded gallery was anything to go by, the current trend of make do and mend is showing no signs of abating. People crammed into the auction room to fossick through the fabric, snack on tasty treats donated by local eateries and donate to Plunket.
Fabric fossickers.
The money raised was especially crucial this year as Plunket lost their Newtown clinic due to new earthquake building codes deeming it unsafe, so donations will go towards ensuring that nurses and the committee have a continued presence in the community, despite not having an office there.
If you would like to make a donation to Rongatai Plunket, please contact them at their Kilbirnie office 04 387 7047.
Words and photos: Rose Jackson, 19 October 2011
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