3 minute read
WORLD’S FIRST VINTAGE-INSPIRED SEWING BOX LAUNCHED
A Lancashire-based fabric and haberdashery shop has launched the world’s first retro-inspired sewing box called, “Sew Vintage Fabulous”.
Advertisement
This monthly subscription is designed to help sewists of all abilities to create vintage styles that really fit and make them look and feel fabulous.
Liz Purkis, proprietor of Buttonhole Fabrics, got frustrated trying and failing to find something similar for herself during lockdown, so she decided to create her own.
She said, “I looked at other sewing boxes and was left uninspired. I felt they lacked in areas such as the amount of fabric I’d get in the box, the patterns weren’t my vintage style and box customers would’ve had to go find and purchase additional items to be able to complete the project.”
In fact, the “Sew Vintage Fabulous” sewing box does more than provide every single thing sewers need to make up the retro-style pattern provided.
Liz found in her customer research that there were 3 key reasons why people were reluctant to subscribe to a sewing box.
Firstly, they were concerned about not getting fabric in a colour that suited them.
Secondly, they didn’t want to get a pattern they already had in their ‘stash’.
And thirdly, especially for newer sewists, they didn’t want to get stuck halfway through a project, not finish it and end up feeling bad about an expensive mistake.
Liz decided to create something that addressed all these concerns.
She continued, “I teamed up with a colour and style consultant to ensure that my customers could choose from 1 of 4 colour palettes for their fabric if they wish. All fabrics are hand-selected by me to ensure top quality.
“If a customer already has the pattern, they can return it for a pattern credit on their account, so they can feel secure in knowing they’re getting great value.
“In addition I created the “Fitting Zoom”, a fun monthly get together online where sewing box customers can get my help with any issues on sewing the garment, any problems with fit and where I share tips and techniques to improve their sewing.”
Customers love the anticipation of not knowing what will arrive in their box each month and one customer even called it a ‘gift to herself’.
Lockdown was a challenging time for small business owner Liz who wasn’t selling online at the time all retail had to close. She’s delighted that something positive came out of it for vintage-loving customers, a growing marketplace.
For more information please contact thebuttonholefabrics@ mail.com shop: 01257 260900 and you can view the sewing box web page: www. SewVintageFabulous.com M The Buttonhole 42-44 Chapel Street,
Chorley PR7 1BW N 01257 260900 D www.thebuttonholefabrics.com F TheButtonholefabrics E thebuttonholefabrics@mail.com
LAKELAND ARTISAN
Award winning Food and Drink
Lakeland Artisan run by husband and wife team Geoff and Mary Monkman is an award-winning artisan food and drink company producing high-quality, hand-crafted products using the finest natural ingredients with no artificial flavours.
The company produces delicious preserves, chutneys and fruit syrups under Cumbrian Delights, a range of soft drinks and cordials as Mawson’s Original Drinks, a range of Gin, Vodka, Rum and Whiskey Liqueurs as Lakeland Liqueurs, new this year is Yan Gin by Herdwick Distillery, and finally Lakeland Hampers that brings all the brand together as well as other quality local produce.
With over 65 Great Taste Awards to date and many other accolades - a truly awardwinning company.
All our products are naturally delicious with no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives and handcrafted with love and care at our premises on the outskirts of Kendal in the English Lake District.
