The Shire Seamstress

The Shire Seamstress A Sewing Service specialising in Alterations, Mending and Refashioning

4.30 am Onsen @ Nagiso, shuttle bus, local train, Shinkansen & here we are in central Tokyo .. planning on a visit to Yo...
28/04/2026

4.30 am Onsen @ Nagiso, shuttle bus, local train, Shinkansen & here we are in central Tokyo .. planning on a visit to Yoyogi Park in the morning before meeting the 11 other workshop participants and heading up country 🙌 here we go .. and yes I’m still stitching! 🇯🇵

To all my valued clients .. thank you for your patience with me these past 8 months .. it’s been BIG .. lots of gifts in...
10/04/2026

To all my valued clients .. thank you for your patience with me these past 8 months .. it’s been BIG .. lots of gifts in all shapes & forms (even the challenging ones) .. but for now I really need to rest, recover & rejuvenate amidst my beloved heartland Japan .. I’ll be back on Wednesday, 13th May. And yes, I am attending an advanced Shibori & Indigo residential as well .. I will post some pics as I know I’ll want to share my JOY .. ✈️🇯🇵🪡🧵⛩️ .arts.precinct

https://ethicalclothingaustralia.org.au/shop-ethically/Day 4 Fashion Revolution Week /ethical clothing This I personall...
25/04/2025

https://ethicalclothingaustralia.org.au/shop-ethically/

Day 4 Fashion Revolution Week /ethical clothing

This I personally find the most challenging .. so many brands ‘design in Australia’ but manufacture overseas .. the reasoning behind this is profit margins .. some Australian brands are making huge impacts into the lives of the workers in their factories overseas .. like and a handful more

However, I’d like to celebrate brands like who have designed & manufactured here in Australia for the past 50 years. The are heroes to me as they train refugees/and new immigrants right here in Australia.

Yes, it does cost more to support ethical businesses, but we need to look at the BIG picture. Sustainable fabric choices .. this is a no brainer. Synthetic fibres are damaging to the earth & our oceans .. it’s imperative that we become more conscious in our consumer habits .. YOU can make a difference .. one piece of clothing at a time

Day 3 ‘Who Made my Clothes’ A client bought a pair of Cotton- On jeans for me to hem yesterday. I know they are classi...
24/04/2025

Day 3 ‘Who Made my Clothes’

A client bought a pair of Cotton- On jeans for me to hem yesterday. I know they are classified as a fast- fashion brand.

This barcode on the inside front pocket takes you straight to a page showing all the environmental causes they are involved with, but nothing about ‘who made them’

Many years ago Baptist World Aid would tries see every year an ‘Ethical Fashion Guide’ it was my go to for educating my clients about their consumer choices.

Cotton On actually scored an A, which was surprising for me. Victoria Secret scored a D+ which is no surprise at all

Over the years, since Fashion Revolution first highlighted what was actually happening to workers in the garment industry after the Rana Plaza tragedy .. we need to start educating our younger generations from the time they are born.

I personally find it frustrating & sad as I have friends and colleagues who continue to buy unethical brands & synthetic fibres .. I also wish the ‘Green’s Party’ would add ‘Fast Fashion’ to its list of ‘environmental’ concerns

We can make a difference .. please just stop before you buy any clothing/footwear and ask yourself .. is the person who made this item receiving a living wage? Is there workplace safe? Do they receive the same working conditions that we do?

Day 2 ‘Loved Clothes Last’ is a lifestyle choice for me. My business is grounded in this approach to treading more ...
22/04/2025

Day 2

‘Loved Clothes Last’ is a lifestyle choice for me. My business is grounded in this approach to treading more consciously on planet earth 🌏

This is a very well worn & very loved jacket. I bought it second hand on eBay for $20 many years ago. The silk lining was completely torn at both underarms .. the fabric at the shoulders was well worn so I did rows of simple running stitch through both layers to reinforce it .. same in the wrists .. the other embroidery was done with online during COVID.. I LOVE this jacket so much .. I also have a beloved skirt I only wear twice a year as the fabric is also wearing very thin.

Do you repair your loved clothes or do you send them to OPshops or landfill? There are so many helpful tutorials on Utube & all you need is a simple sewing kit .. Mending is Meditation for me .. saving the World one stitch at a time 🤩

❤️

Feeling very grateful to have had 3 days to prepare for Cyclone Alfred .. studio is packed up high .. machines are wrapp...
05/03/2025

Feeling very grateful to have had 3 days to prepare for Cyclone Alfred .. studio is packed up high .. machines are wrapped snuggly .. must give thanks to Chelsey, Matt & Simon .arts.precinct for their help .. also 🙏💗🙏😘

Day 8 home from Japan .. I have never ever felt this way since returning home to Australia. I no longer feel this is whe...
02/12/2024

Day 8 home from Japan .. I have never ever felt this way since returning home to Australia. I no longer feel this is where I want to live. I left my heart & soul in Japan. However, life goes on and it’s now back to business. Have you ever felt this way? How have you moved forward?

It’s 5.30am & 3 degrees .. today’s maximum 10 .. and I’m super excited today as we get to dip/dye most of the day, then ...
18/11/2024

It’s 5.30am & 3 degrees .. today’s maximum 10 .. and I’m super excited today as we get to dip/dye most of the day, then we head down to the river to thwack the indigo ‘crabs’ out of our pieces to release all the indigo and brighten the white areas. I can’t believe how quickly the days have flown by .. I haven’t laughed so much in a very long time .. the warming feature is on for the bath and as soon as I hear the ‘it’s ready in Japanese of course’ I’ll wander out and gaze into that forest with the cool air caressing me and just melt into what will surely be a momentous day I’ll remember forever .. we dye/dip our main project today .. our ‘Mokume’ piece.. over 40 hours of stitching and now another few hours to pull the threads up, wet it, then pull up the threads tighter. Oh! most dips are 2 mins in, 5 mins out ( to oxidise) x 10 times. We also have other shibori samplers we’ll dye today as well. May your day enrich your heart and soul as much as mine 💙🧵

Just a few quick pics as I’ve got more stitching to do .. my ‘big’ project for this trip is called Mokume .. a wood grai...
14/11/2024

Just a few quick pics as I’ve got more stitching to do .. my ‘big’ project for this trip is called Mokume .. a wood grain effect that you make patterns with stitch resist .. at this point mine will look quiet abstract .. but I’m in earthly heaven here. I start my day around 5am in a wooden bath, mineral water and headphones on listening to .. Bob Dylan .. I’ve reunited with an old friend. Days are full & glorious. Morning ‘lecture’ after breakfast before we get into our projects. Words escape me .. we even go to the river to thwack our fabric to release the indigo ‘crabs’ that are still holding on .. and it makes the whites whiter .. anyway breakfast is ready .. 8am to the river to thwack yesterdays ‘dips’ as we worked into the night .. then we are off to visit local potter .. wishing you all happy happy days 💙🧵💙🧵💙🧵💙🧵💙🧵💙🧵

I’ve arrived .. into the mountains with 9 other folk from around the world .. words escape me .. my heart is overflowing...
11/11/2024

I’ve arrived .. into the mountains with 9 other folk from around the world .. words escape me .. my heart is overflowing with JOY & Gratitude .. time to delve into this long cherished dream .. 🙏💙🙏

The day has come … in 1 hours time I will begin to live one of my bucket list items .. 10 day residential Shibori/Indigo...
11/11/2024

The day has come … in 1 hours time I will begin to live one of my bucket list items .. 10 day residential Shibori/Indigo workshop 140km north of Tokyo in a mountain village. From the Philosopher’s Way in Kyoto yesterday to downtown Shinjuku Tokyo last night .. WoooHooo 🙌🚅💙

Yes, that’s Mt.Fuji arriving into Japan on my first visit to this AMAZING country .. I’m in love with the people & its c...
07/11/2024

Yes, that’s Mt.Fuji arriving into Japan on my first visit to this AMAZING country .. I’m in love with the people & its culture .. it’s been so good to be off social media but here are a few images for my friends who’ve been asking .. just completed first 3 days of the Komono Kodo Nackahechi pilgrimage .. it was very difficult at times, but oh that silence .. and the weather was absolutely perfect .. wishing you all a day filled with Love, Kindness & Compassion 🙏⛩️

Address

Studio 2, M-Arts Precinct, Cnr Of Brisbane St And Proudfoots Lane
Murwillumbah, NSW
2484

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+61499918925

Website

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