Bra Show?

THE men installing the show loved ''Look Into My Eyes,'' a red and black bra with googly eyes jumping out, said Kathy Dall'Amico, one of the organisers of the first Decorate-a-Bra contest.

But who cares what men think about bras? Because there were very few men in attendance at yesterday's opening of the 19th Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair.

The show, which celebrates quilting, felting, appliqué, knitting and crocheting, has taken a new direction with the display of 49 decorated bras this year.

Beryl Hope and Joan Witney, amateur quilters of Ingleburn, laughed at ''Knockers,'' a bra with brass door knockers attached to the nipples … er, middle.

Many of the bras had a poignant story. ''Nestia Double B'' was made by a woman who'd lost her breast to cancer. Instead of two cups, the bra had one nestling some small birds.

''Birds of a Feather Nest Together'' was made by a woman caring for an elderly relative.

The funny ones, including ''Her Royal Harness'' and ''Boo B A Go Go, '' got a laugh from students studying textiles from Mackellar Girls High in Manly Vale.

The bras will be sold at the end of the show, which runs until June 17 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre from 9am to 5pm daily.

Members of the public may vote on their favourite bras by donating a gold coin. The money raised from the exhibition will be donated to breast cancer research.

More than 40,000 people are expected to attend the show, the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Because of the closure of many local craft stores, the show also runs hundreds of free seminars.

Get an eyeful of the other bras in the show!