Australian_Homespun_December_2014

Everything old

is sew again

There’s no denying that ‘vintage’ rules. And crafters

lead the charge, with antique shops and markets

moving old Sylko threads and born-again ’50s and ’60s

paper patterns, buttons and bows to front of house.

Emma Bradstock rounded up some prime candidates

who are turning fusty and forgotten into fashionable.

SPECIAL�

FEATURE

THE CRAFTY

SQUIRREL

The Crafty Squirrel, in Ballarat, Vic, is the go-to

store for vintage. Shop owner Morgan Wills has

always loved collecting bits and bobs, starting

as a teenager scouring vintage clothing stores and

op shops and progressing to adult travelling years,

when she discovered the joy of old sewing

paraphernalia. “I loved the packaging and nostalgia

that came with the memories, particularly of all

things sewing related – haberdashery, sewing

boxes and machines and all manner of related

ephemera,” says Morgan.

Morgan’s passion for vintage is really what drives

the store. While she sells her own craft products

and work from other designers/makers both from

Australia and overseas, the vintage craft and gift

items are a special treat for visitors. There’s

haberdashery of all sorts, including knitting

needles, buttons, zippers and ricrac, along with

vintage souvenir tea towels and tablecloths,

aprons, toys, fabric and more.

Upcycling materials is also a signature of

Morgan’s style. When Morgan moved to Ballarat,

she met and collaborated with Emma Jean Jansen

to repurpose old sheets into quilts, with spectacular

results. They have also started on a vintage charm

pack with 64 diff erent 10^1 ⁄ 2 in squares, which has

proven enormously popular.

“I have a strong following of women who are in

a similar age bracket to me (35-45) who remember

and appreciate the same things I do and share

the sense of nostalgia that certain products bring

• like the blue Dorcas pin tin, for example,” she
  says. “Somehow, even though we were too young
  to remember buying and using many of the old
  haberdashery items I have in store, we have
  memories of them being in our mothers’ and
  grandmothers’ sewing boxes.”
  But Morgan also has customers who remember
  using the products when they were new, and they
  are amazed to find they still exist.
  “Many who are attracted to sewing and quilting
  with vintage fabrics also have a broader interest in
  decorating their homes with thrifted finds. Re-using
  items from bygone times is a great way to create
  your own unique and eclectic look.”

Address: Cnr Errard & Urquhart Streets,

Ballarat Central, Vic

Open: Thurs-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm

Website: http://www.thecraftysquirrel.com.au

Facebook: facebook.com/TheCraftySquirrel

Instagram: @thecraftysquirrel

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Morgan Wills

62 Homespun