We have already had lots of keen interest in our community tapestry project since the official opening on the 18th.
On the 19th of October 2017 Sharon Eichelsheim from Wellington was our first member of the community to weave a row.
On the 21st October (Labour Weekend in New Zealand) there was a lot of visitors to Whangarei, a lot were from Auckland, but some further south and some that were brave enough to try some weaving.
Catherine Chen, from Auckland only 10 years old proved to be a very good weaver. She said she "loved being creative" and had done flax weaving at school but this was her first time using wool. She was so happy to do some tapestry weaving while visiting Whangarei.
Juliette Swain and her younger sister, Keira were both very enthusiastic weavers on the little looms. Juliette (7) and Keira (5) used to live in Auckland but now live here in Whangarei.
Labour Day (Monday the 23rd)
Guillawme Garnier and partner Marie-Francine Marchand from France have been living and working in New Zealand for the past 11 months.
They said they were on a 1 month holiday before returning home to France and really enjoyed the opportunity to work on the tapestry together.
All eyes were on Tammy Lam as she worked on the tapestry.
Head weaver Naoko Watson was on hand to help guide the weaving process.
Helen Yu, Tammy's mother had a turn at weaving after trying on one of the mini looms available.
Maike Schmitt (above) was also eager to try weaving.
Maike is from Schweinfurt, Germany and in New Zealand on a working holiday.
Vicki Kenworthy-Thompson from Langs Beach, Northland added her row of weaving on the Poutama Pattern on the left-hand side of the panel.
A close up of the Kaokao pattern.
Thanks for stopping by to check on our community tapestry progress. Please leave a comment or message - we would love to hear from you!
