Sew much for the footy

Georgia and Kim Reilly with Lee Johnston are sew ready for the Grand Final. Photo: Joe Mastroianni

By Goya Dmytryshchak

For those not interested in the AFL Grand Final, a 20-hour sew-a-thon will be held in Altona.

Patchworkers will start on Friday, September 27 and finish on Saturday, September 28, sewing from 1-11pm both days at the Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre.

General manager Kim Reilly said football used to be completely banned at the event but that rule went out the window in 2016 when the Western Bulldogs played and beat the Sydney Swans.

“Not all of us are interested in football and we use that as a concentrated time that we can get some sewing done,” Ms Reilly said.

“We used to ban football from the event but we’re not that strict any more.

“It’s very much a fun and supportive group … often the quilts are ‘care quilts’ for charity.”

While Ms Reilly’s family follows Geelong, she said she liked to keep busy during AFL finals time to avoid stress.

“For many years, when Geelong wasn’t doing very well, it was an opportunity to escape the sadness in the house,” she said. “Then, when Geelong did really really well, it’s an opportunity to be away from the house so they can actually barrack and do all the things that they do.”

The cost is $30 for two days or $15 for one day.

There will also be a fabric sale from 10am-2pm to coincide with the event.

Bookings are essential via 9398 2511.