What the Fabric Store Wore
- Words by Peppermint
In each and every issue of Peppermint we partner with our pals at The Fabric Store to bring you amazing free sewing patterns (brought to life by Emily at In the Folds) that bring inspiration to our beloved sewing community.
But how do the very people who are surrounded by amazing fabrics day-in, day-out choose what to make next? What homemade creations are they most proud of? And what advice do they wish they’d had when they were rookie sewers? We sat down with staff from The Fabric Store locations in Australia and New Zealand to find out what floats their sewing boat – warning, may induce urgent need to whip up many me-made outfits…
KATIE // Brisbane // @katiepryersmith
How did you first get into sewing?
I grew up with sewing. My mother and auntie had their own bridal made-to-measure boutique on the Gold Coast, and I remember as a young child playing with my cousin in the shop whilst our mother’s created beautiful gowns and had client fittings. In my teens I would head to the shop after school and occasionally help sew beads onto gowns. My grandfather used to make dresses for my nan back in the day, and my mum taught herself how to sew from his old tailoring books. I went on to study fashion design, and after graduating I worked in bridal alterations and then in retail designer dress fabrics. I’ve been working in that field ever since, and have focussed my sewing into the pursuit of a full me-made wardrobe whilst doing the odd side project.
What do you love most about making your own clothes?
Sewing my own clothing has helped build my self-esteem. I was heavy in high school and didn’t have a personal style – I struggled to find clothes I liked that fit so was always self-conscious and shy. Creating my own clothing after high school helped me take back control and learn to appreciate and dress for my figure, rather than trying to follow the latest trends. Sewing soothes my soul and I can’t imagine a life without it.
What tips would you give a complete beginner?
Find a local beginner sewing class or sewing friend to help guide you through a project. YouTube has wonderful instructional videos and sewing vlogs from the community (pattern reviews and fabric hauls are fun too). LIsten to podcasts for motivation (like Love to sew) and search pattern hashtags on Instagram before choosing what to sew. The sewing community is your best resource!
What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever made?
An unlined denim coat I made this year. Living in Brisbane we don’t need a big winter wardrobe so this was the second coat I ever made – I used a funky metal zipper, created bound buttonholes for the first time and covered all the seams with Liberty bias. The pattern’s Le809 from French indie company ‘DP Studio’.
What’s your next project?
I’m on the hunt for a cute pinafore pattern – I’m visualising my summer wardrobe filled with funky dress and t-shirt combos. So many things to sew and so little time!
Sewing my own clothing has helped build my self-esteem
ALICIA // Melbourne // @paper_moon_makes
How did you first get into sewing?
As a kid my nana used to sit me on her lap to use her old Singer – happy memories!
What do you love most about making your own clothes?
I love having a choice to bypass mass-market clothing supply chains. Making your own clothes can be a radical act. Also I just really love the process of bringing a concept I have in my mind to life – and I love to use nice fabrics!
What tips would you give a complete beginner?
Just go for it! Start with simple shapes to get your confidence up. Don’t worry too much about mistakes or perfection – everyone’s spent time with an un-picker. Also avoid velvet to begin with – the pile creeps too much!
What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever made?
Fully lined coats – something about pulling it all through at the end is magical.
What’s your next project?
Perfecting summer patterns – a wrap jumpsuit and my pants block.
BRIANNA // Sydney // @bri.sandles
How did you first get into sewing?
I started sewing in high school, and I liked it so much I took textiles as an elective.
What do you love most about making your own clothes?
I’ve never really been one to follow current fashion trends, and I think being able to make your own clothes is a great way to express yourself – it gives you a freedom to be you and not feel the need to conform with what’s on trend. There is also a great feeling of satisfaction knowing that no one will ever have the exact same thing, and knowing it’s been made well and will last longer than a season.
What tips would you give a complete beginner?
YouTube! YouTube is your best friend for when you don’t know how to do something quite right. There are so many good vloggers/bloggers that are willing to share their handy tips and tricks of the trade, and they’re honestly sometimes the things you will keep practicing for the rest of your life.
What’s your favourite fabric to work with?
Linen/cotton for sure! It’s such a satisfying blend to work with – it handles nicely, feels great to wear and I find it creases less than a pure linen would.
What’s your next project?
Between sewing and ceramics it’s hard to find time to do everything I want to do, and I tend to lean towards one or the other at times. But I think I’m going to spend the time finally making the pinafores I’ve been wanting to make all winter (lucky for me they’re trans-seasonal).
Being able to make your own clothes is a great way to express yourself – it gives you a freedom to be you and not feel the need to conform with what’s on trend
HANNA // Wellington // @hanxhan
How did you first get into sewing?
I leant to sew when I was 9 years old in a house bus! My best friend was learning to sew and I absolutely had to do it too,.
What do you love most about making your own clothes?
I really love colour and interesting fabrics. I could never find anything I wanted to buy in clothes shops when I was younger and this was a great motivator for me to learn more sewing techniques and cultivate the patience to finish things properly.
What’s your favourite fabric to work with?
My favourite fabric is linen these days, as it’s easy-care with young kids.
What’s your next project?
The Persephone Pants by Ann Allen, in a 10oz light denim from work!
SONYA // Christchurch // @sonya_lois
How did you first get into sewing?
I grew up with my mum making most of my clothes, so I started playing with a sewing machine from a young age and developed a great love for it!
What do you love most about making your own clothes?
Being able to sketch a design and then bring it to life is a great feeling.
What tips would you give a complete beginner?
Play! Jump on a sewing machine and just play around – stick with basic shapes to begin with until you gain more confidence.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever made?
During my final year studying fashion I made jackets that incorporated augmented reality, which then revealed your personals stats via an app.
What’s your next project?
A leopard print cotton wrap skirt using an amazing vintage pattern from the 70s.
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Look, I don’t want to make anyone panic but IT’S DECEMBER!!! If you’re planning to give homemade gifts, you’re going to have to act fast. …
Hang out with us on Instagram
🌻 The Paddington 🌻
This is a much-loved staple, created for Issue 50 in 2021. We love seeing the #PeppermintPaddingtonTop continually popping up in our feeds!
How stunning is our model Elon MelaninGoddessEfon – she told us it was one of the first times she had been asked to come to a shoot with her natural hair. 🌻
We worked with South African patternmaker Sarah Steenkamp of @FrenchNavyNow_ to create this wardrobe essential – the perfect puff-sleeve blouse. Raglan sleeves make it the ultimate beginner sew, plus the gorgeous back buttons let you add your own personal twist.
Pattern via the link in bio! 🪡
Photos: @KelleySheenan
Fabric: @Spoonflower
Model: MelaninGoddessEfon
“In the 1940’s, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of visual protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make, or distribute. As purveyors of traditional craft, we felt it appropriate to revisit this design.”
Crafters have often been at the heart of many protest movements, often serving as a powerful means of political expression. @NeedleAndSkein, a yarn store in Minnesota, are helping to mobilise the craftivists of the world with a ‘Melt The Ice’ knitting pattern created by @Yarn_Cult (with a crochet pattern too), as a way of peaceful protest.
The proceeds from the $5 pattern will go to local immigrant aid organisations – or you can donate without buying the pattern.
Raise those needles, folks – art and craft can change the world. 🧶
Link in bio for the pattern.
Images: @Gather_Fiber @NeedleAndSkein @a2ina2 @KyraGiggles Sandi.204 @WhatTracyMakes AllieKnitsAway Auntabwi2
#MeltTheIce #Craftivism #Knitting #CraftForChange
TWO WEEKS TO GO! 🤩
"The most important shift is moving from volume-led buying to value-led curation – choosing fewer, better products with strong ethics, considered production and meaningful stories. Retailers have real influence here: what you buy signals what you stand for. At Life Instyle, this means using the event to discover and invest in small-scale, planet-considerate brands that align with your values and your customer’s conscience. Consumers don’t need more things; they need better things, and retailers play a key role in selecting, contextualising, and championing why those products matter."
Only two more weeks until @Life_Instyle – Australia`s leading boutique retail trade show. If you own a store, don`t miss this event! Connect with designers, source exquisite – and mindful – products, and see firsthand why this is Australia’s go-to trade show for creatives and retailers alike. And it`s free! ✨️
Life Instyle – Sydney/Eora Country
14-17 February 2026
ICC, Darling Harbour
Photos: @Samsette
#LifeInstyle #SustainableShopping #SustainableShop #RetailTradeEvent
Calling all sewists! 📞
Have you made the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress yet? Call *1800 I NEED THIS NOW to get making!
This gorgeous green number was modelled (and made) by the fabulous Lisa of @Tricky.Pockets 🙌🏼
If you need a nudge, @ePrintOnline are offering Peppermint sewists a huge 🌟 30% off ALL A0 printing 🌟 when you purchase the Special Release Waratah Wrap Dress pattern – how generous is that?!
Head to the link in bio now 📞
*Not a real number in case that wasn`t clear 😂
#PeppermintWaratahWrapDress #PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
8 Things to Know About January 26 - from @ClothingTheGaps:
Before you celebrate, take the time to learn the truth. January 26 is not a day of unity it’s a Day of Mourning and Survival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It marks the beginning of invasion, dispossession, and ongoing colonial violence. It’s time for truth-telling, not whitewashed history.
Stand in solidarity. Learn. Reflect. Act.
✊🏽 Blog written by Yorta Yorta woman Taneshia Atkinson.
🔗 Link in bio of @ClothingTheGaps to read the full blog
#ChangeTheDate #InvasionDay #SurvivalDay #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #ClothingTheGaps
As the world careens towards AI seeping into our feeds, finds and even friend-zones, it`s becoming increasingly hard to ignore.
We just wanted to say that here at Peppermint, we are choosing to not print or publish AI-generated art, photos, words, videos or content.
Merriam-Webster’s human editors chose `slop` as the 2025 Word of the Year – they define it as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” The problem is, as AI increases in quality, it`s becoming more and more difficult to ascertain what`s real and what`s not.
Let`s be clear here, AI absolutely has its place in science, in climate modelling, in medical breakthroughs, in many places... but not in replacing the work of artists, writers and creatives.
Can we guarantee that everything we publish is AI-free? Honestly, not really. We know we are not using it to create content, but we are also relying on the artists, makers and contributors we work with, as well as our advertisers, to supply imagery, artwork or words created by humans. AI features are also creeping into programs and apps too, making it difficult to navigate. But we will do our best to avoid it and make a stand for the artists and creatives who have had their work stolen and used to train AI machines, and those who are now losing work as they are replaced by this energy-sapping, environment-destroying magic wand.
Could using it help our productivity and bottom line? Sure. And as a small business in a difficult landscape, that`s a hard one to turn down. We know other publishers who use AI to write stories, create recipes, produce photo shoots... but this one is important to us.
`Touch grass` was also a Merriam-Webster Word of the Year. We`ll happily stick with that as a theme, thanks very much. 🌿
