The Maker’s Stash Turns Five!

How It All Started

It wasn’t the first time I had decided to create a little business of my own. Back in 2013 I started Miss Leela Handmade and opened an Etsy shop selling my EPP Hexie hearts and packets of tiny paper templates. Over the next few years, I would also make and sell crochet amigurumi toys and in 2016, when Matilda was just 6 months old, I would do my first market stall, selling my handmade items at my local Blue Mountains Etsy Made Local market.

I enjoyed my work as an Interior Designer, but as my passion for English Paper Piecing grew, I knew I wanted to do more in the realm of Patchwork Business. I started to toy with the idea of writing and selling my own English Paper Piecing Patterns. I thought about starting a new business separate to my handmade one where I could sell my range of paper templates, patterns, kits, and the tools I use in EPP.

And so, in 2018 I started plotting and planning what would become The Maker’s Stash.

I delved deep into writing my first business plan, developed my branding, and learnt how to build my own website and shop. It was a steep learning curve, but it was an enjoyable one. I knew I was on the right path to creating something special and unique in the world of English Paper Piecing and Patchwork Quilting.

On February 10^th, 2019, my shop went live and the ‘doors’ to The Maker’s Stash officially opened!

That same month I did my first pop-up shop at my local Quilt Guild’s monthly gathering. I didn’t have a lot of stock, but I took my papers and samples of my work and had a lovely time meeting the local quilt ladies in my area.

Above: My first Miss Leela Handmade market stall and some of the items I used to make and sell.

Becoming A Pattern Writer

Pattern writing was something that came semi-natural to me. My years in design, putting together tender documents, schedules, concept presentations and working in photoshop and CAD drafting programs had given me a good foundation on how to lay out a pattern document and create the graphics I needed. Writing the instructions was a little more complicated and it took me a bit of practice to find my voice when explaining things in written form.

The first pattern I released in August of 2019 was my Time for Tea Pattern collection, a series of eight rosette designs, framed in embroidery hoops. I was and still am immensely proud of this collection. It was a big daunting step to put something I had made, designed and written up out into the Patchwork Quilting world, where so many other fantastic more experienced quilters sold their patterns. It was the first time I had to pull up my ‘big girl pants’ and just do it!

Following the Time for Tea Collection, I would release my Hexie Hearts Collection, The Koralli Mini Quilt, Dahlia Rosette, Christmas Ornaments, Garden Friends, Flower Garden Ramble Mini Quilt, Flicker Beat Mini Quilt, Jewel Roses Rosette, Spinning Flowers Rosette, Polly Quilt, Happy Love Quilt and Star Ornaments. I’m super proud of all these designs and if I’m honest, still can’t quite believe that I now get to call myself a Quilt Designer.

Nurturing A Community

When I decided to start The Maker’s Stash, one of my core goals and reasons was to create a community that shared the same passion I did for English Paper Piecing. It has always been important to me to nourish this community with inspiration, tips, knowledge, and joy which I do mostly through social media on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest.

Over the last five years I have ran and hosted a couple of social media challenges, that were a lot of work, but super fun! In October 2019 I hosted the #iloveEPPparty, a month-long challenge that asked participants to post a photo daily on a particular prompt to do with EPP. I had such a great time joining in, seeing everyone’s posts, and participating in conversations all about a craft that we loved. I would host the party again in 2020.

In November to December 2020, I co-hosted the EPP Christmas Ornament SAL with my lovely friend Emma of Vintage Sewing Box. We both put out free Christmas EPP ornament patterns and invited others to stitch some festive cheer with us.

In October 2021, I decided to host #myeppandme in place of the EPP party challenge. This was a shorter weeklong challenge that encouraged participants to post a nine-grid photo with themselves at the center and eight EPP projects around them. For the next week we would post one project per day and talk about it. This was very enjoyable and so nice to hear the creative stories and journeys that went behind everyone’s projects.

I enjoyed hosting all these challenges and sew alongs. It’s such a wonderful way to connect with other people who enjoy the same things you do, and don’t think you’re crazy for doing it! Friendships are made, inspiration and knowledge is shared. We get to come together to ensure that what we create is celebrated, and we are working together to ensure the traditions of the past carry on to the future.

Taking My Shop On The Road

In July 2019 I would take my little shop on the road, setting up a little stall at the Camden Country Quilters Guild Quilt Show. I had such a lovely time meeting my fellow stall holders, quilters and customers who were very encouraging.

It wouldn’t be until In June 2022 (because of a virus who shall go unnamed!) that I would take my shop on the road again, this time setting up a stall at Craft Alive Hawkesbury. What a fantastic time I had, sharing my business, products, and patterns with so many welcoming and wonderful customers. I also did my first ever talk at Craft Alive, sharing my story and why I believe that EPP is good for our mental health. The Craft Alive team took me under their wing and gave me so much encouragement which greatly bolstered my confidence.

In the same year I set my stall up at Quilt NSW Exhibition, which was a fantastic event that left me on a high for days, even weeks later. I finished that three day show with so many ideas buzzing around in my end, most of which I have been working steadily on in the background ever since.

In 2023 I would return with my stall to Craft Alive Hawkesbury, Camden Quilt Show and Quilt NSW Exhibition. It would be the first time I did a live EPP demonstration (at CraftAlive) and the first time I held a workshop (at Quilt NSW).

What’s Next For The Maker’s Stash

I have a lot in the works for 2024. In a couple of months my other business Blue Mountains Makers will close permanently, and for the first time since I started The Maker’s Stash, I will be able to work on my business full time, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm…at least that’s the plan!

Last year I was able to start offering a selection of curated fabric and fabric bundles, something I had been working towards doing from the very start. This year more fabric and curated bundles will hit the shelves, as well as curated thread packs, vintage slow stitching packs, Lovely Tidbits scrap packs, and a growing range of notions and tools. I also plan to expand my range of paper templates, including traditional patchwork quilt blocks.

I always have lots of ideas for patterns whirling around in my head, and sometimes this can be quite frustrating! These days I make sure I write them down so they don’t get lost, and I want to make more time for bringing these ideas into being.

This year I hope to release Granny’s Flower Patch Quilt, Skip Around the Garden Quilt, and Vintage Patches Quilt. I’ve also been considering turning the Time for Tea Collection into a Quilt pattern monthly subscription. I’m also planning fabric kits for the Time for Tea Collection, Garden Friends, as well as smaller kits for some pincushions, needlebooks and other things. Find my current patterns here.

I’ve also been working on EPP recipe books and cards, as well as my Beginners Guide to EPP digital book and hopefully an online course to follow it up. Then there is my dream book that I’ve wanted to start writing for years, maybe this will be the year I give it some attention.

I have five shows booked in for this year and I hope that I will see you at one of them:

Blue Mountains Quilt Show – April 26th to 28th

Craft Alive Hawkesbury – June 21st to 23rd

Sydney Craft & Quilt Fair – July 3rd to 6th

Camden Quilt Show – August (Date to be advised)

Quilt NSW Exhibtion – September 19th to 22nd

This year I also have plans to revitalize my YouTube channel and share slow stitching vlogs and tutorials. And I might just bring back the #iloveEPPparty and #myeppandme social media challenges!

Phew! I sure am going to be busy!

The Dream Continues

Since starting The Maker’s Stash, I’ve had a much bigger dream, something that I constantly think about, imagine, wish, and hope for…to open a bricks and mortar store. I’m not sure exactly why, well actually no, I do have some ideas why. Yes, one of them is a romantic notion that it would be wonderful to own a shop full of pretty fabric and threads, where I could go each day and be inspired, create and share my love for this craft.

I am also a firm believer that while shopping online is convenient, you just can’t beat that incredible feeling when you walk into a patchwork shop. So many possibilities lay before you to create something beautiful. You can see, feel, and smell the fabric, and get a better sense for how a project will look when choosing fabrics in person.

I’ve always had a desire to create a space where people who enjoy the same things can come together and share their love and knowledge. For this reason, I would love to have a teahouse attached to my patchwork shop, serving tea and refreshments, sweet treats and offering comfy chairs and lounges or stitchy friends to sit, chat and create to their hearts content.

I plan for my shop to be highly curated to my style and aesthetic; a little bit vintage, cottagecore, French country, and granny chic, with endless florals and just a touch of whimsy. I will celebrate all things patchwork, EPP, slow stitching and embroidery, but my product range will also include my other passions for tea, gardening, and books.

So, when will I be able to invite you into my store? Well, if all goes well, if I can save the capital I need to get things off the ground, my store will open in two years’ time in 2026.

Looking Back and Looking Forward

I look back on the past five years with many emotions. I am proud of myself for following my passions, ideas, and dreams. There have been many times when I’ve asked myself is it worth it? Is the constant juggling and struggle of working full time as a designer, as a mother, as a multi business owner worth it. When sales are low, and I worry about my business finances and our personal finances, I wonder if I’m doing the right thing. If I’m not bringing money to the table, what am I bringing? How will I support my family? Is it crazy to think that I could live a comfortable life running my own business?

But then I think about why I do it…because I love it! I am passionate about EPP and Slow Stitching. It brings me endless joy, a joy that I can share with others. It inspires me, daily and I get to inspire you! I am part of a community who look out for each other, who encourage and celebrate each other and their creations. I get to share my knowledge and ensure that these crafts carry on into future generations. I get to share my art and my creative expression with the world.

Often, I feel guilty that I don’t spend as much time as I like or should with my children and family. This guilty feeling is a heavy weight on my shoulders. I think it is a weight that all Mumpreneaurs carry. It is hard work, but I also believe it is valuable work, and I like to think that I’m showing my children that if you work hard enough at something, if you live each day with determination and discipline, if you believe in something strongly enough and lean into your passions, that you can do and achieve anything. You can make your greatest dreams come true and it just takes a little bit of perseverance, time and balance.

I don’t have a crystal ball, I don’t know what the future holds, I don’t know what troubles or triumphs are headed my way. What I do know, what I feel, is that I have found my purpose, I have found my tribe, I have found what lights me up inside. It is my devout intention to take each day as it comes, to ride the waves of creativity, to nourish my passion and to share my joy with the world.

I’m sending out a heartfelt thank you to all of you have followed me along on this creative stitching journey so far. Thank you for reading my blog posts and newsletters, following along on social media and for all of the likes and comments, watching my videos on YouTube and purchasing my patterns, paper templates and stitchy goodies from my shop. It is a real pleasure to welcome each and every one of you into my little Slow Stitching world.

Happy Stitching Dear Friends

Miss Leela x