HomeMaurice Hillier2022-05-28T13:49:52+10:00

Together, we create!

Teaching

We teach made-by-hand skills to give you knowledge and confidence to make something for yourself.

Encouraging Creativity

Immersing yourself in the creative space is great for your soul – it can even restore balance in your world.

Empowering People

With skills and encouragement we empower you to renovate, re-purpose, reuse and reinvent!

Endorsing a Sustainable Lifestyle

We believe it is easier to make a real difference to the health of the planet once we have skills and confidence.

We teach online and face-to-face!

ModularME Sewing System

ModularME

A Module-based sewing system where you learn one skill at a time

Build Confidence

As your skills grow so does your confidence

Clothes that fit

Learn the secrets to making great fitting garments

Clothes that are YOU

You are in control – make clothes you LOVE!

ModularME #1 – FREE Pattern!

Everything Lampshades

Lampshade Kits

Create your own lampshades at home

Custom Made Lampshades

Bespoke shades just for you

Lampshade Design Service

Creative solutions for commercial and domestic purposes

Lampshade Making Supplies

Australia’s largest range of lampshade supplies

Everything Lampshades

We make to order

Refresh

Add personality with new cushions and lampshades

Quality

Quality fabrics and a professional finish

Renovate

Bring new life to your tired lampshades

Bespoke

Unique solutions just for you

Tell us about your project

Luxury

Check out our beautiful Slow Stitched Cushion Kits

Hand Made

Four beautiful tassels

Designer Fabric

A curated selection of stunning fabrics

Meditative

Slow down while you slow stitch

Slow Stitched Cushion Kits

New in the shop

Gooseneck (Scuttle) – Professional Lampshade Kit

$70.00 – $130.00 including GST

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Fabric Bond Tape

$5.00 – $19.00 including GST

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Parks Atoll

$72.00 including GST per metre

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Hero Lamp Kit – 60cm

$165.00 including GST

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City Lights

$89.00 including GST per metre

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Halcyon Days

$69.00 including GST per metre

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Luxe Multi Pompom Braid

$19.00 including GST per metre

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Denim Block Print

$55.00 including GST per metre

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Hinterland Spring

$69.00 including GST per metre

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Parks Tandoori

$72.00 including GST per metre

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Parks Moss

$72.00 including GST per metre

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Parks Marsala

$72.00 including GST per metre

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Parks Ivy

$72.00 including GST per metre

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Parks Geranium

$72.00 including GST per metre

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Parks Cornflower

$72.00 including GST per metre

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Parks Atlantic

$72.00 including GST per metre

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An apple 🍎 a day keeps the doctor away! So they

An apple 🍎 a day keeps the doctor away! So they say!! Wish it had! This was my therapy while Maurice and I had COVID in April.

These apple pin cushions are made entirely from offcuts and scraps. It is a delightful meditative process with a predictable outcome… super handy when you feel like your world is unravelling around the edges. Everything is done by hand with the exception stitching the fabric pieces together. It’s a perfect project to keep the hands busy while watching Netflix.

I made over 50 of these in 2017 as gifts for participants at our first Makers Escape, a live away creative event in Montville. This time I have made over 70, with more on the way. I think I am addicted!!! Up until one week ago I had no idea what I would do with them, but now I have a plan!!!! All will be revealed!!
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#handmade
#madebyhand
#ministryofhandmade
#sewing
#upcycled
#recycled
#pincushion
#apple
#creativeworkshops
#felt
@berninachermside
@berninaaustralia
@berninaacademyaustralia
#therapy

These little guys can add so much fun to your sewi

These little guys can add so much fun to your sewing!!! Come learn how!!! It’s not as scary as you think!!!

We’ll teach you all the tips and tricks you need! Everything is provided (including a set of notes) to get you on your way! All the details are on our website. Sunday 29 May 9.00am - 12.30am.
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#handmade
#madebyhand
#ministryofhandmade
#zips
#buttons
#sewing
#sewingmachine
#sewingworkshop
#getskills
#creativeworkshops
#vintagebuttons
@berninachermside
@berninaaustralia
@berninaacademyaustralia

MeMadeMe2022! Upcycled summer dress becomes an aut

MeMadeMe2022! Upcycled summer dress becomes an autumn top! This is a new make….fresh off the sewing machine. The fabric is a cotton sateen with a little bit of stretch. It was originally made into a vintage styled dress with a full pleated skirt. I wore it quite a bit a few years ago so the fabric is now super soft and really comfy to wear.

With such short autumns and winters here in Queensland it never seems practical to invest in lots of woollens. Transeasonal garments like this new top are ideal because you can add a layer underneath for more warmth or throw on a jacket over the top. The rust cotton ribbing is from my stash.

I used our #modularme pattern as the base and just tweaked things a bit. I went up a size to make it more roomy and used the neckline from another top I like. A bit of trial and error was involved getting the ribbing around the neck the right size but I was happy to fiddle about with it to get it right.

I reckon this will get lots of wear and I might make another one or two now that I have the formula right. It feels great to create a new garment for no cost except my time!!!
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#handmade
#madebyhand
#ministryofhandmade
#memademay2022
#recycle
#reuse
#wastenotwantnot
#sewing
#sewingmachine
@berninaaustralia
@berninachermside
@berninaacademyaustralia
#learntosew
#sewingpattern
#upcycle
#slowclothing
#slowfashion

It’s rather special when you get to spend creati

It’s rather special when you get to spend creative time with your Mum! Ingrid and Barbara attended a Pleated Lampshade Workshop with Libby and Amanda on Sunday and Catherine was also an attendee. We had lots of laughs, that’s for sure! Luscious fabrics by @tarnmcleandesigns
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#handmade
#ministryofhandmade
#madebyhand
#pleatedlampshades
#lampshadeworkshop
#lampshadekits
#textiledesign
#interiorstyling
#bespokelampshades

MeMadeMay22! This is another of my #modularme dres

MeMadeMay22! This is another of my #modularme dresses! We call this one the Yvie Dress! It uses the Highline Yoke module, the bodice/skirt is cut on the bias and there are some sneaky contrasting inseam pockets. I have some fabric left so I think I’m going to add a sleeve so I can wear this through the cooler months with leggings.

The matching earrings just happened! I saw them in a shop before I cut out the dress and couldn’t believe how well they coordinated so had to buy them!!!

We are running an online tutorial on Wednesday 1 June teaching you how to create this dress from the ModularME pattern. All the details are on our website.
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#handmade
#ministryofhandmade
#madebyhand
#sewingpattern
#learntosew
#sewyourownclothes
#slowclothing
#newskills
#sewingjourney
#creativeworkshops
#learnhow
#sewingworkshopd
#onlinelearning
@berninachermside
@berninaaustralia
@berninaacademyaustralia

When the four gorgeous humans in your lampshade wo

When the four gorgeous humans in your lampshade workshop make four gorgeous lampshades like these!!! We had fun last night… thanks Rameez, Leah, Therese and Fiona!!!! And thanks @applik_digital_fabric_printing for sending through a pic of your lamp at home!!!!

The tall cylindrical lamps are our Hero Lamps and they always look great no matter what they wear!!! The bases are a choice of Oak or Birch ply and they come fully wired and ready to plug in.
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#lampshadeworkshop
#ministryofhandmade
#diy
#madebyhand
#lighting
#iinteriorstyling
#letyourlightshine
#lampshadekits
#customlampshades
#madebyhand
#lampshadekits
@redhildahood

MeMadeMay22! This #modularme dress is fondly known

MeMadeMay22! This #modularme dress is fondly known as the Andie Dress. It’s a really easy make….. Midline Yoke with a gathered skirt and elastic added to the sleeve edges. And with our sleeve module added, this will make an easy winter dress to wear with boots and tights. As a summer garment, this is a joy to wear. The cotton fabric is called Collage Multi and is available from our online store.

I love wearing clothes I have made for myself….the ability to choose the fabric and the pattern and the styling makes home sewn garments unique and truly reflective of who you are.
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#memademay2022
#madebyhand
#ministryofhandmade
#handmade
#diy
#sewing
#learntosew
#onlinelearning
#creativeworkshops
#slowclothing
#sewingpattern
#sewyourown
#learnhow
#learntosew
@berninaaustralia
@berninaacademyaustralia
@berninachermside

MeMadeMay! Following on from my last post about we

MeMadeMay! Following on from my last post about wearing clothes that really make you feel like you…. This is my most favourite dress of any dress I have ever made for me! I think I feel most alive when I wear this dress. Isn’t it interesting how clothing can lift your mood?

This is another #modualrme pattern make. It incorporates a number of hacks that will be included in our imminent launch. The use of the Highline Yoke enables the bottom section of the dress to be cut on the bias. This is particularly appealing on a fabric that has a very obvious directional print. The sleeves are our sleeve module with added volume at the top and bottom. The new pending module is called the Gathered Sleeve Module. The vintage grosgrain ribbon around the cuffs was a last minute addition which I love.
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#handmade
#ministryofhandmade
#madebyhand
#memademay2022
#sewing
@berninaaustralia
@berninaacademyaustralia
@berninachermside
#sewingpattern

MeMadeMay!! Why do I like making my own clothes? L

MeMadeMay!! Why do I like making my own clothes? Lots of reasons, but close to the top of the list would be the ability to express your personality through what you wear.

I really struggled to find shop bought clothes I really liked. Nothing seemed to look like me! When you sew for yourself there are so many opportunities to create clothes that are not only one-offs but clothes that say something about you!!!

This top is our #modularme pattern using the sleeve extension. I really love this fabric but had a limited supply so teamed it with some plain orange fabric from my stash. This not only effectively reduced the cost of the garment but allowed me to use up something already on hand. And I love how the orange sets of the loud fabric!
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#handmade
#ministryofhandmade
#madebyhand
#memademay2022
#sewing
#sewingmachine
#sewinglesson
#learntosew
#slowclothing
#creativeworkshops
@berninaaustralia
@berninaacademyaustralia
@berninachermside
#learntosew

MeMadeMay Day 4! This top has had so much wear. Th

MeMadeMay Day 4! This top has had so much wear. The fabric is a cotton sateen … soft, cool and barely needs ironing!

I was never a big fan of gathers until I started hacking our #modularme pattern and now I love them!!! This is our basic top with a midline yoke and gathered bodice. The sleeve is our sleeve module with extra fabric added to allow for gathers at the top and an elastic cuff.

I love it that this top goes straight over my head. So no need for buttons or zips. It’s not that I don’t like buttons or zips. I’m just keen to simplify our pattern and modules so that they are super accessible!!! You can read all about ModularME on our website. And of course, this was stitched on one of our studio Bernina sewing machines.
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#handmade
#madebyhand
#ministryofhandmade
#memademay2022
#sewing
#sewingmachine
#sewinglessons
#learnhow
@berninaaustralia
@berninaacademyaustralia
#creativeworkshops
#learntosew

MeMadeMay Day 3! I love so much about this dress:

MeMadeMay Day 3! I love so much about this dress: the big spots, the combo of blue and orange 🍊, the top stitching, the sneaky stripes, the maxi pockets and the bias cut skirt!!

It’s based on our #modularme pattern and is so comfy to wear. The cotton drill fabric was a leftover piece from my stash and has a nice crisp feel to it. And it hangs really well when it’s cut on the bias.
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#handmade
#madebyhand
#ministryofhandmade
#memademay2022
#sewing
#sewingpattern
#biascut
#topstitching
#learntosew
#creativeworkshops

MeMadeMay Day 2! How to use up all the offcuts of

MeMadeMay Day 2! How to use up all the offcuts of your fave fabrics! This was a slow project completed last year…. triangular wedges of colour pieced together in the rough shape of a top and then cut to the right size using our #modularme pattern as a starting point. This is basically our simple top pattern with the sleeve edges extended and then gathered in with elastic.

The only downside of this garment is that it is a bit tedious to iron because of all the seam allowances on the inside. But small price to pay for a garment that makes me feel ALIVE!!!
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#memademay2022
#madebyhand
#ministryofhandmade
#handmade
#homesewn
#recycled
#upcycled
#patches
#triangles
#sewing
#sewingmachine
@berninaaustralia
@berninaacademyaustralia
#slowfashion
#sewingworkshop
#learntosew

#memademay2022 This is my first time participating

#memademay2022 This is my first time participating and I am only one day late to the party. I’ll do two posts today to catch up.
I made this top in March and just love it!!! The pattern is our #modularme pattern that I morphed a little. You can find it online on our website.
I am a maker from way back. Sewing is my happy place and I am excited to have made a career around it at last!! When I was in Grade 10 my school report declared that my science results were indicative of a future successful career in science. But I said an emphatic NO!
After a circuitous route through studying architecture and design and working in a multitude of roles, I find myself where I well and truly belong!!!! I do enjoy the science of pattern making but shapes and colours and texture are my thing!
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#handmade
#madebyhand
#sewing
#sewingmachine
@ladymcelroyfabrics
@berninaaustralia
@berninaacademyaustralia
#creativeworkshops
#sewityourself
#sewover50
#slowclothing

ModularME sneaky peak!!! It’s starting to feel v

ModularME sneaky peak!!! It’s starting to feel very real! Our very talented graphic designer @myfrondsarecool has delivered the goods!!! Here’s a tiny sample of the creative genius of Emily. Our launch is more than just about creating some PDF patterns. I love her little sail boat on a lake of random sewing stitches. Sewing is fun, it’s an adventure, it can take you places you never expected!!!
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#handmade
#madebyhand
#ministryofhandmade
#modularme
#sewing
#sewingmachine
#learntosew
#slowfashion
#diy
#learnhow
#sewingpattern
@berninaaustralia
@berninaacademyaustralia
#onlinelearning

Roll Collar Update!!! The #modularme roll collar p

Roll Collar Update!!! The #modularme roll collar pattern and instructions are a big ✅! That means finished ✔️! Yay!!!!

We are getting SO close now to our launch. Hang in there you lovers of roll collars and all other things ModularME. We promise that you won’t be disappointed… it will be worth the wait! This is by far the biggest project we have ever undertaken and as they say…. good things take time. A revamped Top/Dress pattern plus 16 modules….SOON!!!
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#handmade
#ministryofhandmade
#madebyhand
#slowclothing
#diywardrobe
#sewing
#learntosew
#sewingpattern
#rollcollar
#fashionrevolution
#sewingmachine
@berninaaustralia
@berninaacademyaustralia
#sewover50
#gingham

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