I have now been sewing for 60 years. My mother made our clothes when we were children, but by the time I was about 12 she became a bit too busy, so I learned to sew myself. I remember Mum taking me to buy fabric and a pattern.
Her idea of teaching me to sew involved opening the pattern and telling me to follow the instructions. She said she would help me if I got stuck. I got stuck on the zip, so she put that in for me. My first dress was made.
I made most of my clothes when I was a teenager and made things for my friends too. A dress would be made on Saturday morning to be worn out that night. I made all of my son’s clothes until he was old enough to want things from the shop like the other boys.
I sewed most of the clothes I sold in the shop I had in the Brisbane Arcade for 20 years. Now I am lucky that my friend Savva lets me use space in his shop to sell the things I make. I have a room full of fabric to work through and I like to make things, so I am still sewing.
Here are some of the things I have made lately. I make clothes that are easy to wear and suit our sub tropical climate. I only work in cotton and linen for summer. I also make tablecloths, napkins, tote bags, cushions and other small things.
I am slowly working through the mountain of fabric I have collected over the years. The mountain doesn’t seem to be decreasing, possibly because I keep finding new pieces. I only make a few things in each fabric, sometimes a one off. New things appear in the shop each day.
Sarva is at 239 Boundary St, West End, Brisbane. (cnr Corbett St) I will be in the shop from Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00 – 1.30 until I go back to Italy. Drop in if you are nearby. Savva does excellent made to measure and alterations, another reason to come to see us.