In 1994 The Handweavers and Spinners Guild of Victoria embarked
upon the creation of a wall hanging, the purpose of which was
to involve and link together as many of the 500 individual members
and 50 affiliated groups throughout the state and in N.S.W. and
South Australia as was possible.
Two years of planning and co-ordination have brought together
the talents of many spinners and weavers, over 1000 people having
had some input into this work.
Eight fleeces were donated by the English Leicester Sheepbreeders
Association which were then divided into 100 gram packages and
sent to members and groups statewide for handspinning. The yarn
was returned to the Guild at the Meat Market Craft Centre in
North Melbourne where it was dyed; blue over white fleece to
represent distance, space, sea and sky, and green over natural
grey fleece to represent the landscape. This dyed yarn was woven
in panels and the panels joined to an overall size of 4.5 metres
x 2. 5 metres.
In addition, groups throughout the state were asked to submit
a silhouette motif, made using white wool only, which was representative
of their group or of the area in which their group meets. These
motifs were then stitched onto the woven background. The techniques
used for the motifs include spinning, weaving, knitting, crochet,
embroidery, applique, braiding, and felting.
Seventy-three groups are represented, gathered around the
logo for the Handweavers and Spinners Guild of Victoria, together
with a representation of the state.
The whole project took an enormous amount of co-ordination;
a task undertaken by Mrs. Monique Wilson, who had proposed the
initial concept. Assisted by a small committee, Monique worked
with energy, enthusiasm, and endless patience to make what had
been a dream for her come true: a work that was created by all
of the Guild members; to unite those members through their craft.
As the work progressed, the Guild lost a long term member
and spinning teacher, Mrs. Evelyn Potter, after a short illness.
Ev had been a friend and mentor to many, many people, particularly
craftspeople in country areas. It was decided to dedicate the
wall hanging to Ev's memory, a lasting tribute to the friendship
and skills she instilled in so many people.
The wall hanging will be permanently housed at the Handweavers
and Spinners Guild of Victoria.
