Linda Maher is well known throughout the district for the art she can create with thread.
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She’s a consistent winner at local, regional and even state competitions.
Now you can see many of Mrs Maher’s beautiful and award-winning creations in one place - at the 'Beyond Threads: Left Handed Embroidery' exhibition at the Deniliquin Peppin Heritage Centre Gallery.
This unique exhibition, supported by Edward River Council, opened on Tuesday and will be open until Tuesday, March 11.
It showcases many of the exquisite works created since she started crafting in the late 1970s.
What sets Mrs Maher’s work apart is her left-handed approach to embroidery.
It has created challenges in that instructions tailored for left-handed individuals are hard to find, with Mrs Maher often having to adapt right-handed instructions that appeared back-to-front to her.
This unique perspective adds an intriguing twist to the exhibition.
“I taught myself. When I started, there was nothing to teach a left-handed person,” she said.
“I had to reverse it and the teachings.
“In the end, I got there. The first embroidery I did is here in the exhibition.”
“I’ve said I’ve been doing it for 35 years, but I may have been doing it for a bit longer.”
Mrs Maher said curiously, when it comes to some other crafts, her right hand is dominant.
“I sew, cut and write left-handed, but I knit right-handed,” she said.
“I’m not sure where it (the left-handedness) came from.
“It might have come from my father’s side, as my father’s Italian.
“My mother’s right-handed, and so was her father.
“My sister’s left-handed, and my aunt was left-handed, but they stopped that at Catholic school.”
Mrs Maher has received numerous accolades for her embroidery, including Best In Show – Craft award for ‘Colin the Rooster’ at the 2023 Royal Melbourne Show.
She has also been recognised at various regional competitions, and locally at the Deniliquin Show.
In addition to her traditional skills, Mrs Maher has embraced modern technology by incorporating PC Stitch - a computer program that allows her to create intricate designs based on photographs.
Her works, which can take anywhere from a few hours to two years to complete, are a testament to her meticulous craftsmanship and creativity.
“When you love something so much, it’s hard to explain it.
“I find it relaxing, but also do get a little bit frustrated if I make a mistake.
“My husband is used to it. He often notices if I make a mistake, and he says ‘time to pull it out’, but I pull it out regardless if it’s not right.
“There are particular designers I stick with. My favourites would have to be Teresa Wentzler, whose designs I like to follow as she uses at least two different coloured threads, and also Alison Cole as an Australian designer.
“The designs of family members I did myself from photographs using the computer.”
Mrs Maher said her embroidery is purely for enjoyment, as she could never put a price on the work to sell them.
Many have been presented as gifts to family over the years, and she said she got a few of those back specifically to put in the exhibition.
She’s always working on a new design, and said she’s already got her entries for the 2025 Deniliquin Show on the go.
Mrs Maher said she was particularly prolific in her creations during COVID-19.
When the Pastoral Times caught up with the artist on Wednesday morning, it was the first time she’s been in the gallery space since the exhibition set up had been completed.
“I’m proud, and it’s a bit overwhelming.”
“I love what I’ve done, and I hope it inspires other people to try and do it.”
The Peppin Heritage Centre will remain open every day during the festival period, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Entry to the exhibition space is by a $3 donation.