Women attending the Mornington Presbyterian Church's antique, vintage and embroidered-linen fair on Saturday showed they were not only there to reminisce, spending about $17,000 in three and a-half hours.
Convener of the fair Barbara Rowe said two of the 24 suitcases of linen were not sold. .
One tablecloth had sold for $150 but most items cost between 20c and $75.
The linen fair was the second the church had held to raise funds for its recently-opened community centre in Maryhill Tce.
The last fair in 2005, which was smaller, raised almost $10,000.
Mrs Rowe pleased at the result. She said she had been worried about the impact of the recession.
Most of those buying were women aged 50 or over.
Although she had expected a stronger turnout of younger women, the older women were perhaps buying the linen because they knew about it and valued it and knew the church would not be holding another fair, Mrs Rowe said.
Those buying shared memories about many of the more than 2000 items for sale, which included tablecloths, flourbag aprons, vintage silk lingerie, 1960s nightgowns, hats and gloves.
"Our helpers said they had a lovely time. How often do you go home from a fundraiser saying you thoroughly enjoyed it? We all had a buzz," Mrs Rowe said.
Browsers had appreciated the hours the fair team had spent restoring and presenting the items, she said.
