A GROUP of crafty recyclers are ‘sew busy’ making quality items for Tavistock Parish Church’s summer fete — while helping to save the planet!

Calling themselves Vintage Green, they use old, unwanted and donated materials to make anything from quilts, cushions and aprons, to bags, cards and craft gifts.

Since joining forces four years ago they have raised more than £5,000 for St Eustachius’ Church and hope to add another good sum from their next stall.

With years of experience between them, the crafters have all the makings of a successful ‘church family’ business, spending much of their spare time in production.

One of five members Sarah Pendle said by using recycled, old and unwanted items from the environment, the group was supporting the church and God’s creation.

She said: ‘We produce high quality items, unique and limited edition — goods you would look to buy in a shop. We are very purposeful about it and want people to appreciate what we do and pay a fair price.’

Another member Pat Knock said: ‘We have a production line. I do the pinning, cutting out, ironing etc, while Sarah, Pam Hunter and Hilary Sanders do the sewing and Hilary Johnson does the sticking.’

Sparking off each other, they make the best possible use of whatever items come into their hands, creating anything from tepees and circus play tents, to scented candles and cards.

Pam, a quilter for almost 40 years, said: ‘It is much better to come together and share our ideas and we like to try new things for each event.’

Hilary Sanders described the group as ‘very supportive, sharing fun and friendship and inspiring other people’.

Vintage Green started in 2014 and is a splinter group of the Church Green Team, which gained an Eco-Congregation Award for being environmentally friendly by developing better ways to use resources.

Besides the summer fete the group usually has a stall at St Eustachius’ Christmas Tree Festival and in the run-up to these two big events the sewing ladies spend ‘countless hours’ adding to their stock.

View their latest range at the church’s summer fete on Saturday, June 10, from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

Other stalls will include woodturning by Eric Cockings, handicrafts, bric-a-brac, nearly new clothes, books and plants. There will be a bouncy castle, face painting, entertainment from Flute Ensemble and The Saxophonics, plus church tower tours, a barbecue and refreshments.