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1915 Poppies for Anzac Day 2015

Information about the 1,000 Poppies Project,  a community tribute of respect and remembrance for Anzac Day 2015.
Updated: 8/05/2017 4:31 p.m.

1,915 poppies for Anzac Day 2015 banner.

A Community Tribute of Respect and Remembrance 

New Zealand World War 100 logo. From 2014 to 2018 New Zealand is commemorating the centenary of The First World War (1914-1918). 

Anzac Day 2015 will mark 100 years since the Anzac landing at Gallipoli.  As part of the 2015 Anzac Commemorations, Whangarei Libraries have joined the 5000 Poppies Project, a stunning visual tribute to New Zealand servicemen and women for more than a century of service in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

From its association with poppies flowering in the spring of 1915 on the battlefields of Belgium, France and Gallipoli, the poppy has become a symbol of both great loss in war and hope for those left behind.

Crafters making poppies at our poppy making workshops. 1,000 poppies project

We invited crafters to participate in this meaningful and heartfelt project. The poppies will used in a mass display at Whangarei Central Library for the 2015 Anzac Day commemorations.

We asked for hand made poppies - crocheted, knitted, felted or sewn from any materials. There is no entry fee and contributors were asked to provide their own materials.

Preparing the poppies for Anzac Day display at one of our workshops. There was no barrier to involvement and no limit to the amount of poppies that can be submitted.

We initially had a target of 1,000 poppies for the display and due to an overwhelming response from our local community, we set a new target of 1,915 - the same number as the year 1915. 

We have received over 2,500 poppies!

Poppies on display. Poppies on Display

All poppies are on display at Whangarei Central Library.

As part of the WW100 commemorations, we gave an opportunity to write a short paragraph in remembrance of relatives who were in the First World War. We received lovely responses which are also be in the display.

Poppy patterns

Free patterns are available online:

5000 Poppies Project patterns 

Google-search: free poppy patterns

For more helpful websites to browse, Google-search: fabric or felted poppy tutorials.

Knitted poppy from Stitchfinder field poppy.

These patterns are meant as a guide only. Feel free to experiment with different materials and embellishments to make your poppies unique. That is the heart of crafting.
Enjoy the process, but beware . . . it’s addictive.!

 

 
 

 

 

Resources

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