It’sasoft, heavy and extremely warm material, but Ms Woodward has found another use for her favourite clothing fabric.

This year her tweed inspired wearable art will be on display at St Marys’ Gone Rustic Studio and Gallery.

The gallery will feature some of the region’s best wearable art designs and will be open to the public from September 5-24.

‘‘Out of necessity, I arrived from Indonesia  two years ago with two bags,’’ she said. ‘‘I’ve always had a passion for coats, especially with it being so cold here ... I feel like I’ve give tweed a new image - there’s just something great about it.

‘‘This has really helped us (her and her partner, Andi) get off our feet as well. (Art) has made us part of the community and helped us network.’’

Gone Rustic owner and curator Rita Summers said the gallery was an exhibition n to show the skills of local artists.

‘‘The ideas that have developed are really great,’’ she said.

‘‘Wearable art is a really unique thing that is starting to gain momentum everywhere."