Lyndal and Bill Graham have returned to town this week after their business Stella Stitch was invited to have a stall at the Melbourne leg of the Tilda Jubilee Tour held at Melbourne Convention Centre.
The tour celebrates 25 years of designer Tone Finnager’s brand, Tilda’s World, highlighting her many fabric collections, soft toys, and quilting patterns over the years.
Lyndal said she was, “thrilled to be able to bring our little shop from Broken Hill to Melbourne, especially as it is Tone Finnager’s first visit to Australia”.
The Melbourne event was a sell out, with 500 people attending from as far away as New Zealand and remote Western Australia.
“It’s been a whirlwind start to the year, opening the shop front just under a month ago, to getting the chance to get our name out at such a big event. It’s been surreal,” said Bill.
Lyndal and Bill’s business, Stella Stitch, has just celebrated its first month in the new shopfront at 156 Patton St, next door to South Post Office.
The business had previously operated from their home for the last five years, and featured regularly at both the local community markets, and markets in Redcliffe, Victoria.
“We had outgrown our space terribly, so the shop was the next step to be able to grow our range of fabrics and quilting services,” said Lyndal.
Speaking about the first day in their new shop, Lyndal said “it was so lovely to have so many friends and new customers come to show their support, it was wonderful to be able to fit everyone in the one space”.
The signature of the business is her 40-plus years of practice with all things sewing, quilting, engraving, and embroidery.
“I’ve always been a quilter and crafter and lover of textiles, because I grew up with very creative grandmothers and my mum, and down the track my mother-in-law. They were all very inspiring with their work.”
When her children were little, their clothes were sewed and hand-made, which provided the outlet to explore her creativity.
After years of research, and Lyndal admits frustration at quilting her own quilts on her domestic sewing machine, she decided to take the plunge and buy a quilting machine and launch the business, which has quickly built up a loyal clientele in Broken Hill and surrounding areas, and even interstate.
“With so many people sending their creations away to be quilted, I saw an opportunity to offer a service in Broken Hill that’s not already here and do something I love,” said Lyndal.
As part of the expanded business, she will also soon be offering a number of classes to ensure her skills and craftsmanship can be passed down to new generations.
“Basic sewing classes, classes for children to do basic sewing, and classes for quilting, embroidering, and doll making, are all in our plans,” an excited Lyndal said. Those classes will be advertised on her Facebook Page, Stella Stitch, and in the Barrier Truth, when they begin.
Information about the classes, and other information about the business, can be found on their Facebook page, or by calling 0418 600 570.
Stella Stitch is under summer trading hours of 10am-6pm Fridays and Mondays, and 10am-4pm Saturday and Sunday, with plans to increase opening hours once winter comes along.
PICTURE: Lyndal (left) and Bill Graham in Stella Stitch, their new store. Photo Supplied.
