What's sewing got to do with it, you ask?

A lot. Let me go into it a bit more....

In my former life as a fashion designer holding a senior position, I was working at a family-run boutique fashion house.

I was involved in everything from hiring staff, training them and retaining them, retail sales AND the actual job I was hired to do, which was producing FOUR collections every year. You get the picture.

Quite often I had to put in almost 24 / 7 to meet production and sampling deadlines, because I WAS the business; everything was in my head! I ran on pure adrenalin, with a good measure of stress thrown in.

Then one day I woke up and couldn’t feel the left side of my body.

Have you all seen “Kill Bill”? When Uma Thurman’s character woke up from a coma and had to WILL her body to work, starting from her little toes? Well, I did something like that.

It was weird, because while I could will my toes to wiggle and see my foot moving, I kinda wasn’t feeling them.

Did I panic? Not really. Thinking back, it was more like a sense of disbelief….. I told myself that I must have slept funny and got some bad case of pins-and-needles or something.

Besides, it was 48 hours from one of my deadlines so I simply HAD to be at work - No matter what. So I did.

By the time I got to the doctors a couple of days later, all hell broke loose and I found myself in a flurry of tests – After another attack, when I sat down somewhere and couldn’t stand up again, things took a serious turn.

This was when they told me that I had MS – Multiple Sclerosis. Except they didn’t found enough hard evidence to prove it, so I didn’t qualify for any treatment. I basically got told that my life was over, but nothing could be done because I wasn’t sick enough!

And then I saw my job got advertised. No one from work had bothered to tell me – I saw it in the newspapers.... What a way to find out!

What to do with my life? I was 31, with a mortgage, no job, not sick enough for treatment or benefit. My doctor sat me down and said, "Just take this opportunity to do WHATEVER you love – while you CAN.”


So I got sewing.

By this time I had started teaching patchwork, so I simply continued.

What I didn't expect was the support and stories that came from everyone who turned up at my classes - all these women, from all different walks of life and all different background - each one had their own story to share. Be it health, relationship, family or just life in general.

Everyone, myself included, were finding solace in sewing. Our creative space was our safest sanctuary. I've come to learn that many people have overcome serious medical conditions, or have simply made peace with our body and got on with life. I didn't feel so alone any more.

One of my biggest challenges was losing some fine motor skills in my hands. Prior to this, I loved doing needle-turn applique, and was quite well-know for my tiny, even little stitches. Of course, by this time my stitches weren't tiny any more - and certainly weren't even. So I started focusing on designing pieced quilts, and developed some impressive, but surprisingly beginner-friendly quilts!

How many quilts can you make in a life time? I dunno. All I knew was that I made quilts like there was no tomorrow - and in part, that thought was very real.

I just kept sewing and churning out quilt after quilt - rotary cutting and machine piecing made it all possible. I had sooooo many designs dancing around in my head, I simply had to get them all out... and, at the back of my mind, I wanted to leave as many quilts behind as possible, for people to remember me by........


And strange enough, I got better.

With so many quilts as class samples to go around, my classes filled, and I ended up writing detailed instructions so everyone can take something home. These instructions went on to become my range of quilt patterns... things kind of took off from there.

Did sewing cure me...? Probably not, but I am sure it helped me heal. On so many different levels.

Looking back, getting ill was probably the BEST thing that could have happened to me - it gave me my life back, so I get to sew for another day, or more.


What does sewing mean to YOU?
I'd love to hear your story. Care to share?


P.S. I felt compelled to share my story here with you, because recently a customer called to thank me. She told me that sewing would be part of her rehab to recover from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I cried. Of joy.

Having heard this from another kindred spirit just made me realised there must be many of us out there, who share the passion of sewing, and it means more to us then a task to be completed or skill to be learned.

Let's share the experience.....



xoxox

NSW Permit Number: LTPM/12/00974; ACT Permit Number ACT TP 12/04398

• 
• 
• 
• 

My grandmother was the first quilter I knew. Ever since I can remember, I have always been around her old treadle machine and fabrics - and too often got busted for raiding grandma's precious stash box!

This led me into a life-long affair with textiles. I went on to become a fashion and textiles designer and worked in the industry for more than a decade.

Sewing - especially patchwork - became my time-out. Oh, the joy of playing with fabric, textures and colours!

No matter how hectic my life was in the fashion world, I could always find peace and freedom by simply stitching away just for the love of it. Just for ME.

Can you relate to this?
I know you can.





I provide the tools, materials and tips to make sewing easier and more enjoyable for people like you - who are passionate and have an urge to create via sewing.


But deep down, I'm all about sharing the joy of making something from your heart, with your hands, to show the world who you are - by simply become your true, creative self.


While you're at it, you get to enjoy turning ideas and a pile of fabric into beautiful handmade goodies for your loved ones to wear, carry or cuddle!!


Click Here to join us on Facebook - and stay connected with other sewists just like you!








The Sew Much Easier team is made up of Shelley & Terry, and we live in inner Melbourne, Australia.

Between us, we have over 10+ years of combined Textiles / Retail / Customer Service and Business / IT experience.

Unlike some of the bigger retailers, chains stores and franchiese - either online or at a shopping centre near you - Sew Much Easier is not another faceless company. We are real people and we serve real people - just like you.

By shopping with us, you are supporting an independent, 100% Australian-owned, family-run business. We are also an ABN & GST registered retailer.

The suppliers we work with are some of the longest established local family businesses that have a trusted name in the sewing industries. Your support keeps this industry alive and creates jobs in the local communities.

We're committed to giving YOU fantastic service - including clear communication & prompt delivery as well as quality products with excellent value and expert advice.

Many of our customers are so happy with their experience they return for more, because we understand the importance of taking care of you when you shop with us.

We'd love for you to become one of our happy customers so that we can make your day with a top notch shopping experiences, useful products and practical know-hows!



Because Knowing How To Do Things Easier Gives You More Time
to Get On with Enjoying the Act of Creating via Sewing and Other Important Things in Your Life.

I've sourced some of the most handy tools and equipments to make YOUR sewing adventures easier, faster, and more fun -

I only select a curated range of products that I would use myself for my own sewing projects, so I've personally tested them out for you. 


Now, Imagine What You Could Do with some Extra Time.....


Make More Quilts?

Have More Time In The Sun With Your Family or Friends?

Or Go Shop for More Fabrics, Perhaps?
 

• Excellent Value Guaranteed. How? Because we source the best product at great prices, so that we can pass the saving on to you.
  
• Peace of mind for you. We are not interested in taking your money unless you are 100% happy. Take a look at our No-Risk, No-Nonsense 100% Money Back Guarantee in our listings to find out more....
  
• Shelley and the Sew Much Easier team always deliver good quality products at affordable prices quickly and efficiently to help you in your Creative pursuits.
  
• No junk or seconds here. I won't sell what I wouldn't use for my own project. We do not compromise quality to save a few bucks. All transactions are transparent, and all goods leave our premises in perfect condition, ready for you to use.
  
• Shelley and her team are 100% committed to do what we do best, so that you can do what you do best - whether you're quilting, dressmaking or simply fixing a few things around the house.
  
• We deliver anywhere in Australia - and combine shipping for you when possible to help you save more! Shopping on-line doesn't have to mean that you are out of pocket for inflated postage and handling.
  
• No hidden cost, agenda, or ego here. We take care in running a sensible and responsible business with minimal overheads, which means you'll keep more cash in your pocket.
  
• Your satisfaction is Essential to us. We are always on hand for you because better communications makes better eBay shopping experience for you.

We also run sales from time to time, often within a 24-hour time frame.

So if you want to be one of the first to grab a bargain, save us as your favourite seller to be sure you won't miss out on specials and new products - we're constantly on the lookout for great new items to help you sew much easier!

We always aim to keep our prices fair, and we're happy to give as much info as you need to be sure of what you're buying. Any questions you have will be answered as soon as we can.



And it doesn't end there - one you've shopped with us, you automatically become one of our VIP members where you are able to receive on-going support and enjoy exclusive members-only specials.

While I don't know EVERYTHING there is to know about sewing..... I know enough, to get most of us going - even to a point where we can have heaps of fun while producing impressive results!

What I don't know, I can find out for you.... because I'm fortunate enough to have access to a vast amount of inside knowledge and trade secrets from my years in the fashion & textile industry.





Take a look at our store now.... you're sure to find something useful.

Click here now to go to our store.

Thank you for dropping by, and have a great day!