Here are a few of the stories behind our stallholder’s stashes…
I learnt to sew from my mum, but was mostly inspired by my grandmother and the gorgeous outfits she either made or had made around the 60’s/70’s. She had great taste in colour and also prints (many a Liberty fabric in her collection!). I really started pursuing sewing in high school, going on to study fashion design at University, before having my own womenswear label for several years. During that time I worked in nearly every fabric shop in Wellington and amassed a wee collection of fabrics (nearly enough to open my own fabric store!).
I don’t do as much sewing as I used to. It’s more craft-based now: mainly toys for my daughter or friends’ children or clothing.
The fabrics I will be selling at Fabric-a-brac will be mostly natural fibre fabrics, like cotton, silk, linen, wool, etc. but there will be some fabrics that are either viscose or polyester too. There will also be trims and some leather. And hopefully this will reduce the space my fabric hoard occupies!
Sewing is 100% my life. I’ve been sewing for 16 years, professionally since graduating from Toi Whakaari’s Costume Diploma in 2016. I’ve worked across film, ballet, TV, drag, theatre including at the Royal New Zealand Ballet and Weta Workshop. I also run my own studio: GRIDLEY by Victoria.
I love creating all things weird and wild! Sewing, to me, is about expressing myself creatively in an exciting way that can be shared with many. My current passion is designing and making for family-friendly theatre. I seem to have made a name for myself with theatrical animal costumes and I can’t say I’m complaining about it!
I will be selling a wild mix of fabrics at Fabric-a-brac. From chiffon, leather and florals to colourful shiny weird fabric, end-of-show fabrics and assorted trims and craft goods. Everything that is too good to use as sustainable footstool stuffing – that might serve another life with someone else…
I’ve been sewing for around 20 years, since I was a kid. My mum taught me how to sew – but we have a strong line of crafters down the maternal line of our family.
I love sewing because I love being able to make unique items that nobody else will have. I love dressing up. Sewing lets me make super fun outfits and cosplays.
I also collect scissors – some of my favourites are my massive tailor’s shears
I think sewing will always be in my life. Even if I’m not creating new outfits or costumes, I get so attached to clothes I think I would be repairing them still to extend their life!
At Fabric-a-brac I’ll be selling mostly print fabric which is a mixture of stretch and non stretch. I’ve acquired a stash of vintage belt buckles that need a home, and I’ll have some lucky dip surprise scraps that are perfect for doll clothes.
I’ve been sewing since i was about 8 and I have a very large stash. I keep trying to reduce it, but somehow it doesn’t. I frequently attend Fabric-a-bracs so that might have something to do with it 😉
I was a nurse for many years and when I retired, I decided I would make childrens’ clothes to sell and provide some income. I bought a lot of fabric but when it came to it I decided the only sewing I really wanted to do was for pleasure, including clothes for my grandchildren. I was left with a rather large stash of knit fabrics. I love sewing as it fuels my creative side, it’s a stress release and IMHO the problem solving is as good as sudoku! I so enjoy the atmosphere of the Fabric-a-brac and chatting to fellow sewers. My stash is priced to sell as I don’t have enough years left to sew my stash!!
Fabric-a-brac 