By Kath Gannaway
THERE’S no recession at Michelle’s Sewing Basket, stockists of Singer, Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff Sewing Machines.
While other retail businesses face a difficult year, history shows that during economic hard times more and more people return to sewing.
Owner Michelle Aitken said there was something very satisfying in being able to sew for yourself.
“Many of our customers are learning to sew, or learning to sew something different and since our schools very rarely teach sewing as a subject, there are now several generations of women who are not confident in their techniques,” she said.
“Our classes are therefore very popular, particularly the ones where students are working at their own pace, on a project of their own choosing.
“These styles of classes are offered both in patchwork and quilting and general sewing-dressmaking.”
The store was recently received a Silver award from Pfaff and a Platinum (the highest award given) for Husqvarna Viking, making Australian history as the only time an Australian store has won awards for both brands in the same year.
Michelle said she had noticed a continuing interest in ‘making do’.
“I’m a Frugalist, something that is hugely popular at the moment,” she laughed.
“Over recent years it has became trendy to remodel clothing and make re-usable shopping bags and so on, but now everyone seems to want to save money and of course sewers are the original Frugalists!”
Mother’s Day is a terrific time to update your sewing machine, embroidery machine or overlocker with all of the major brands offering terrific specials.
Naturally every machine sold at Michelle’s Sewing Basket comes with complimentary new owner’s classes.
Michelle’s Sewing Basket is at the Ringwood end of Wantirna Road, at 2/54 Wantirna Rd, Ringwood and is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm and on Saturday from 10am to 2pm.
