Dorothy Addlem’s spirit, energy and enthusiasm infects the members of her embroidery group.
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Since being a founding member of the Bendigo’s Embroiderers Guild Victoria group in 1977, she has spent countless hours passing on her skills and techniques in all aspects of embroidery.
“She engenders a love for the art form we all feel so passionate about,” past president Glenys Stewart said. “Her knowledge, experience and wisdom have been a great support and encouragement.”
This year marks 50 years of membership with the Embroiderers Guild Victoria. When the embroiderer’s Bendigo guiding group became an official branch of the Embroiderers Guild Victoria in 1991, Dorothy was the inaugural president.
“I been a member longer at CWA. It’s been over 60 years there,” Dorothy said.
“They have both been fantastic. I love crafts. CWA started me off and (over the years) I have met some lovely ladies.”
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To mark her 50-year membership, the group created a special quilt for Dorothy.
“There were a few tears (when it was presented),” she said. “It’s beautiful woollen rug and everyone worked a piece on it. Even I did without knowing.”
Dorothy is always open to new ideas and loves to learn something new.
She has exhibited her work in Melbourne with her original soft-sculptured rabbits proving to be very popular.
“They look cute. I loathe rabbits around the garden but everyone seems to love these. I also do koalas and owls,” Dorothy said. “I just start with a small piece of knitting. Then it’s stitched together and filled with raw wool and pulled into shape.”
This weekend the Bendigo Branch of Embroiderers Guild Victoria will exhibit more than 500 pieces of work from more than 100 members.
Traditional techniques on linen, wool embroidery, ribbon, lace, beading, creative machine embroidery, canvas work, soft sculpture and wearable art will be on display.
The Bendigo Embroiderers Guild Exhibition is at St Andrews Hall in Myers Street on Friday and Saturday from 10am and Sunday from 11.30am.
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