What started out as a pop up in my friend Sam’s shop has become a permanent fixture over the last few years.
Sam is not his real name, it is Savva, but when I met him 30 years ago he introduced himself as Sam, so Sam he is for me.
He has a shop in West End where he does made to measure and alterations. This summer he also making some pieces for the shop. When I am in Australia I sew casual, everyday clothes, suitable for our long hot summers. Sam is a clever designer and he is doing some excellent pieces this season.
This is a stunning leather jacket he made a while ago for a fashion competition. He is going to repeat this soon in denim.
In the meantime here is a collaboration between the two of us. Sam made the skirt in embroidered linen and I made the top.
Here is a small selection of pieces for the coming season.
We also make tablecloths and table napkins.
For all those who want to know who made their clothes, and want well made pieces in natural fabrics, come and see us. I have been making my own clothes for most of my life so I know they wash and wear well and last for years. Sam was taught by his lovely Mum and has also been sewing since he was very young.
I gather fabric when I travel and have excellent finds from Italy, Finland and Japan, as well as locally sourced fabrics. I look for ends of lines and dead stock to help keep prices down. I have an excellent source for these outside Florence and I go there several times a year.
For anyone in Brisbane who likes to sew, we have one of the best fabric shops in the world right here. I have been shopping at Alla Moda (in the Emporium shopping centre, in the Valley) for 40 years and they have the best range of fabric I have seen anywhere.
Sam’s shop is called Sarva and it is at 239 Boundary St, West End. It is between Gum Bistro and Alphabet Cafe which are both extremely good, and popular. When I am in Australia I am in the shop most days. When I go away the shop is still open, but Sam is often in the back of the shop sewing so you need to ring the doorbell.
Fast fashion contributes to enormous waste and tons of landfill. Buy better, buy less and shop local!
We have an Instagram page called What’s new at Sarva.
You inspire me to sew! Gorgeous. I wish I could find fabrics like that.
By: kalgoorliegirl on August 15, 2024
at 9:38 pm
I have a large (too large) collection of fabric! I have been gathering it since my teenage years. We have one of the best fabric shops in the world here in Brisbane. It is called Alla Moda, take a look at their Instagram page.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 15, 2024
at 10:04 pm
I’ve been sewing too after a break of many years. I discovered a young designer on the Gold Coast who has a small independent pdf pattern company. She provides fantastic tutorials for those who need them and the patterns are well drafted. Such a nice change from the Big4. No more tissue paper.😄
By: Maree Weston on August 15, 2024
at 10:02 pm
I have been sewing since I was a child. I like making things. That’s great that you have found a pattern maker!
By: Debra Kolkka on August 15, 2024
at 10:06 pm
I love all my pieces from your shop – some have lasted for many years – fast fashion is very bad for the environment
By: Elizabeth Valerie Litzow on August 15, 2024
at 10:39 pm
Thank you! It is really a hobby now, but I need to work through my vast collection of fabric.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 15, 2024
at 11:14 pm
Would love to buy some pieces but I live in California! You have such a great eye for fabrics and designs.
By: Laura on August 15, 2024
at 10:58 pm
Thank you. It keeps me busy.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 15, 2024
at 11:14 pm
Such lovely quality fabrics Debra & so suitable for our hot summers.
By: Camillus Davall on August 16, 2024
at 1:20 am
Thank you! It keeps me busy.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 16, 2024
at 5:17 am
I also sew and go crazy buying fabrics in Italy (Milan, Rome, Naples, Lucca, Florence) and France and wherever I may be visiting. I recently got back from Milan and Nice with many treasures. Love all the pictures.
By: Diane Sabo on August 16, 2024
at 5:38 pm
I have a room full of fabrics, but I can’t resist new additions.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 16, 2024
at 9:09 pm
You’re so clever! They look so free flowing and the material looks really good quality Debra 🙂
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on August 16, 2024
at 11:37 pm
Thank you! Brisbane summers are hot! I only work in cotton and linen.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 17, 2024
at 1:17 pm
I love the fabrics and they look so cool too.
By: Garden Bliss on August 17, 2024
at 7:23 am
We need cool fabrics for our hot summers in Brisbane!
By: Debra Kolkka on August 18, 2024
at 9:49 pm
I know those summers well.
By: Garden Bliss on August 19, 2024
at 9:03 am
Hello. You have beautiful items that you have created. I would be interested to know the place you go in Florence to buy small lengths of bolt end fabrics. I’ll be visiting Florence and the surrounding areas in the near future and would love to visit this place. Thank you for any information you can provide. Much appreciated.
By: Melissa on August 18, 2024
at 1:10 pm
I go to Gori Tessuti in Sesto Fiorentino, not far from Florence. It is huge! They have ends of lines. Sometimes I go there and find nothing I like, then the next time I find too many things. I think it is a wholesale outlet, but they have always let me buy.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 18, 2024
at 9:52 pm